Traditional music, delightful gastronomy, and a desire to have a good time. These were the ingredients of a day filled with fun at the Isidro Rodríguez Castro Senior Center, in the neighbourhood of Los Gladiolos in Santa Cruz. The President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, joined the celebration, highlighting the importance of preserving traditions.
“We are who we are thanks to the work that all of them have been doing throughout history; our grandparents, the passing down of our traditions through oral storytelling, the respect for our culture…”, he said, referring to the efforts of the various generations. “All of this is what we celebrate on this Day of Canaries; proud of who we are, of the people we are, of what we have been in the past…”, added the nationalist leader.
Clavijo toured the social center facilities while music played and the elderly participants danced at the party. The leader of the Canarian Coalition (CC) also participated in a dance.
The regional president, accompanied by some seniors. | | MARÍA PISACA / D. R.
Staff at the Isidro Rodríguez Castro Senior Center mentioned that they had been celebrating the Day of the Canaries throughout the entire month. Specifically, they organised two trips to Teide with the elderly on the 21st and 23rd of May. 108 seniors participated in the initiative with a specialised tour guide.
“And the highlight of our celebration at the center is none other than the event we have been organising for several years,” said the centre’s representatives, also highlighting the decorations. “The seniors bring their own food, each has their tables separated by workshops… and they enjoy until four or five in the afternoon,” they explained about the planned activities.
Also present at the event were a group of students from the CEIP Nuestra Señora de La Concepción in La Orotava, who showed the Canarian President and other political representatives the timple instruments they had made using 3D printers. The action carried out by the children was a result of a project from the Orotava Music School in the educational centre, which had also been working with three-dimensional printers.
This is not the only event related to the Day of the Canaries attended by Clavijo in recent times. Just a few days ago, on the 17th of May, the Casa del Ganadero in La Laguna hosted the inauguration of the Canarian Traditional Sports Week, which was also attended by the regional leader. The event, in which 150 representatives of various disciplines participated, marked the beginning of a calendar of sports events and exhibitions.
