On Thursday, 22nd August, the Casa de los Capitanes hosted the launch of ‘La Laguna bajo las estrellas’, a new sustainable tourism initiative aimed at promoting astrotourism within the municipality.
The Councillor for Tourism at the City Council, Estefanía Díaz, emphasised that this celestial event, scheduled to occur between September and October 2024, is tailored for a broad audience and will include a preparatory training programme lasting 30 hours, featuring webinars, in-person classes, and subsequent field excursions, making prior knowledge of astronomy unnecessary.
Díaz elaborated, “Through this approach, the observation of the night sky will merge with scientific, historical, and cultural insights, integrating both theory and practice to provide a comprehensive and enriching experience for both residents and visitors.”
With this aim, ‘La Laguna bajo las estrellas’ centres on two primary aspects: firstly, astronomy as a discipline, and secondly, the cultural significance that has been attributed to the sky throughout history, encompassing various customs and myths. “Understanding the stars and exploring how our ancestors interpreted them will enhance our appreciation of the night sky and deepen our sense of identity,” stated the Councillor for Tourism, underlining the importance of conserving this knowledge linked to our heritage.
Estefanía Díaz was joined at the official unveiling of this initiative by Javier González, founder of Tivity, who will oversee the educational process and the outdoor excursions. González highlighted the necessity of fostering and promoting engagement and interest in the burgeoning astrotourism sector.
During his presentation, he noted that Tenerife and the Canary Islands are internationally acknowledged for the quality of their skies, “Since ancient times, residents have gazed at the stars, cultivating a rich worldview filled with myths, traditions, and knowledge related to celestial observation.”
Today, the Canary Islands serve as a benchmark in contemporary astronomy, and La Laguna is dedicated to bridging this knowledge with the community, merging it with scientific advancements to enrich and enhance the astrotourism experience within the municipality.”
Field excursions
Among the key practical activities are three excursions to notable locations within the municipality: Tejina, the Blue Path in Punta del Hidalgo, and La Barranquera, which have been chosen for their exceptional conditions conducive to astronomical observation, enabling participants to apply the training received while connecting with local narratives and traditions. Additionally, participants will visit the Museum of Science and the Cosmos.
An online platform featuring supplementary content, resources, questionnaires, and knowledge-sharing spaces will also be made accessible to participants.
The training is entirely free of charge. To encourage active engagement and commitment to the course, a nominal donation of 5 euros will be requested, which will be contributed to a local NGO at the participant’s discretion.
Furthermore, individuals who complete at least 75% of the scheduled activities will be eligible to receive a certificate confirming the completion of the learning programme. Registration is currently open through the website of the responsible company (www.tivity.es).
