The Arona City Council announced yesterday the lineup of religious and community events in celebration of the festival dedicated to San Antonio Abad, a tradition that has flourished for over 400 years and is deeply cherished by the residents of Arona, who annually honour the municipality’s patron saint.
The raising of the municipal flag on the Cross of San Antonio, signifying the commencement of the festivities, is set to occur tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. Additionally, on Friday, the opening of the art exhibition titled Sentimientos, by Patricia Machado Martín, will be held in the City Hall’s hall until January 31, open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
On Saturday, commencing at 9:00 p.m., there will be a popular dance involving magicians in tribute to San Antonio Abad, taking place in the Plaza del Santísimo Cristo de la Salud in Arona. Attendees must don traditional attire to participate. This dance, hosted by various local folk groups alongside guest artists, will last through the night. Arona will select its leading pilgrim for the festivities during a gala on Thursday the 16th, beginning at 8:30 p.m. in the Plaza del Santísimo Cristo de la Salud. The following day, the parish of San Antonio Abad will hold a solemn mass at 6:30 p.m., which will be followed by a procession.
On Saturday the 18th, focus will shift to children’s workshops and exhibitions of traditional games and sports, as well as the Children’s Folk Festival. In the evening, at 8:30 p.m., the XVII Verodal Festival will take centre stage.
The festive schedule for Sunday, January 19 will kick off at 10:00 a.m. with a Crafts and Gastronomy Exhibition. An hour and a half later, traditional mass sung by the Parranda Chasnera in honour of San Antonio Abad will commence, leading into the pilgrimage around the aronero town at noon. During this walk, the traditional blessing of animals will be performed, an event that attracts many locals who bring their farm animals and pets. The Wamampy and Los Ideales orchestras will provide entertainment for the evening festivities.
The mayor of Arona, Fátima Lemes, emphasised that “the festival of San Antonio Abad is among the most historically significant celebrations in the South, characterised by the amalgamation of history, culture, and the tradition of our town. It also marks the beginning of the pilgrimage season in the south of Tenerife.”
