The La Laguna City Council yesterday provided a “very encouraging” evaluation of the festivities marking the 25th anniversary of the city’s designation as a World Heritage Cultural Asset by UNESCO. This was accomplished through an elaborate programme of events aimed at promoting the unique history of the only municipality in the Canary Islands that holds this prestigious recognition, alongside a technical examination of the challenges that have emerged over the past quarter-century.
With participation exceeding all expectations, events such as the Time Tunnel and dramatized routes depicting the 16th century attracted around 6,000 attendees. This celebration not only had a beneficial effect on the city’s economic sectors but also boosted local efforts to raise awareness regarding the protection and preservation of heritage.
The mayor, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez (PSOE), expressed gratitude yesterday to “all the individuals, institutions, and groups that contributed to this significant celebration. Not only do we commemorate a pivotal moment in the evolution of La Laguna, but we also embark on a new phase: one that encourages reflection on the work accomplished over these 25 years and fosters an analysis of the new objectives we must pursue to further advance in the conservation of our heritage, readying ourselves to embrace new commitments and uphold our role as a territory that promotes peace.”
For nearly a month, the city has offered a range of conferences, book launches, and fresh outreach initiatives, which were highlighted during Semana Grande with an international symposium on cultural and natural heritage, focusing on the rights of future generations. “All these initiatives furnish us with invaluable technical knowledge and serve as a foundation for designing the municipal strategy in this domain,” stated the area councillor, Adolfo Cordobés.
“We are confronted with the challenge of rebuilding our connection with the landscape, wherein the new municipal General Plan and Urban Agenda will play a crucial role. We are closely monitoring the developments concerning the new Canarian Land Law to facilitate progress along this path,” he advised. Furthermore, with the 25th anniversary approaching on December 4, 2025, the mayor announced that they are already collaborating with the Canary Islands Government, the Cabildo, UNESCO, and other organisations to implement new initiatives aimed at recovering, enhancing, and conserving the monumental, historical, and natural heritage of La Laguna.
