SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 13th June (EUROPA PRESS) –
Inaugurated by Astrid Pérez, the president of the Canary Islands Parliament, and Mayte Pociello, the president of the Red Cross in the islands, the exhibition ‘150 Years of Humanitarian Action in the Canary Islands’ showcases the extensive history of the Red Cross’s work in the archipelago over the past 150 years.
Pointing out the origins of the Red Cross in the Canary Islands in 1874 by Doctor Víctor Grau Bassas in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the Chamber’s president highlighted the monumental effort that the Red Cross has dedicated to the Canary Islands over the years.
“Today, we open the doors of our Parliament to showcase to the entire society the remarkable work carried out by the Red Cross in the Canary Islands over the last century and a half,” she stated.
The exhibition provides a comprehensive overview of the Red Cross’s journey through informative texts and images that illustrate why this organization has secured a place in the memories and hearts of the residents of the islands.
Notably, the president mentioned that “The Red Cross in the Canary Islands continues to shape its legacy; in 2023, it assisted over 130,000 individuals in the archipelago, supported by 18,000 volunteers and 1,500 professionals, all made possible by the support of more than 60,000 members.”
Astrid Pérez concluded her speech by extending a profound appreciation to all those who have contributed to the significant work of the Red Cross in the Canary Islands over the past 150 years. “Their role has been, and will continue to be, indispensable for our community,” she explained.
Mayte Pociello, the president of the Red Cross in the islands, emphasized that in recent years, their organization has notably contributed to fostering solidarity among the residents of the islands, improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable sectors of the population, and upholding the values and principles that govern international coexistence.
She further added, “The cornerstone of the Red Cross is volunteerism, supported by dedicated staff, which fosters a sense of unity in actions and helps diminish the geographical isolation caused by insularity.”
The opening ceremony was attended by various dignitaries, including Ana Oramas, the Vice President of the Chamber; Noelia García Leal, the Transparency Commissioner; Dolores Padrón, the Common Deputy; Jesús Javier Plata, the Government Subdelegate in Santa Cruz de Tenerife; and Víctor Chinea, the Deputy Minister of Relations with the Parliament of the Canary Islands.
This traveling exhibition offers a detailed historical journey through eight totems, each with three sides, narrating the evolution of the Red Cross’s work on the islands and showcasing some of the most significant images in the entity’s history.
Visiting hours are scheduled Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The exhibition will run until the morning of Saturday, 29th June.
