The traditional pilgrimage in honour of the Virgin of La Esperanza is about to reach its half century. This Sunday, 3rd August, the town celebrated the 49th edition with a novelty: the weather. While it is usually hot and sunny on this festive day in August, in 2025 the pilgrims enjoyed their celebrations under a cloudy sky with a cool, gentle breeze that made the journey more comfortable, especially for the animals.
In total, around 7,000 people attended the festivities in the municipality of El Rosario, which began at 11:30am with a Eucharistic celebration in honour of the patron saint. An hour later, and quite punctually, the statue left the temple, marking the start of the festivities accompanied by music. A dozen carriages and boats, folk groups, flocks of goats and sheep, and several donkeys participated in what is undoubtedly the most eagerly awaited event of the celebrations.
“We always try to improve our pilgrimage in aspects such as respect for traditional dress; for instance, we want to care for our customs. This year, additionally, the weather is accompanied by this characteristic trade wind of La Esperanza. We are going to have a grand day with the whole town engaged in this festival that we work so hard for,” explained the mayor of the town, Escolástico Gil, who not only accompanied the Virgin on her exit from the church and the subsequent journey to the square, but also presided over the gathering of offerings alongside other members of the local corporation.
There are many aspects that characterise the festivals of La Esperanza, which are closely linked to the agricultural nature of this locality. Following the aftermath of the 2023 fire, the area remains acutely aware of the need to avoid any risk. For instance, among the animals that paraded in front of the Marian image for her blessing were the famous fire-fighting goats, which help keep the dry grasslands clear. “After that disaster, we always have our hearts in our mouths. We continue to work on cleaning the plots and enforcing the municipal cleaning ordinance,” the mayor insisted, reiterating the plea for the protection of the Virgin of La Esperanza against fire, even when temperatures are low.
Another defining feature that distinguishes these festivals from other traditional routes is the food served by the carriages. No one leaves La Esperanza without trying the potatoes, meat, and wine. “Thanks to companies like Egatesa and Montesano, very much linked to our municipality, which set up their carriages in the square,” Gil expressed his gratitude.
In the offerings – products that are later distributed through Caritas – there were also ribbon dances, folk performances, and isas in honour of the Virgin, including the boats from Los Valles and the distinctive sound of the gomera castanets.
