The municipality of Candelaria (Tenerife) celebrated its Grand Day on Friday in honour of the Patroness of the Canaries with a day “overflowing with devotion, culture, and civic participation” in the Villa Mariana, as reported by the Town Hall in a statement.
“August 15 is the date that unites us most deeply as a community, where tradition, devotion, and culture intertwine to honour our Patroness. Candelaria welcomes those coming from all corners of the Canaries and beyond to share this day. It is a pride and a great responsibility that we face with the coordinated effort of the council departments, security forces, and the commitment of all municipal staff,” emphasised the Mayor of Candelaria, Mari Brito.
This year, the Military Parade changed its time and location due to works at the Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias, taking place at 10:45 next to the Town Hall, where the official reception for the representative of King Felipe VI was held, alongside the Mayor, Mari Brito.
During the military parade, the Mayor of Candelaria was greeted by the First Deputy Mayor, Jorge Baute Delgado.
Later, at 11:30, the civic procession set off from the Town Hall towards the Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias, accompanied by the Banda de Música Las Candelas.
At midday, the Basilica hosted the Solemn Concelebration of the Eucharist, presided over by Monsignor Eloy Alberto Santiago Santiago, Bishop of the Nivariense Diocese, and sung by the Candelaria Villa Choir Voces para la Esperanza and the Cámara Orchestra Las Candelas.
The ceremony could be followed live in the venue next to the Town Hall via screen and through La 2 of TVE in the Canaries, TV Canaria, COPE Canarias, and Candelaria Radio.
At the end of the mass, the image of the Virgin of Candelaria traversed the Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias in procession, under a rain of fireworks and surrounded by the Banda de Música Las Candelas and the Nueva Banda de Igueste.
Among the prominent authorities present were Fernando Clavijo Batlle, President of the Canaries; various councillors, deputy councillors, and general directors of the regional government; Julio Salom Herrera, Lieutenant General Chief of the Canary Command, and other military officials; representatives from the Civil Guard and local police. Also in attendance were the President of the Insular Council of Tenerife, Rosa Dávila Memely, councillors, as well as several insular directors; the Vice President of the Cabildo of La Gomera, Isabel de Esteban Ramos; MPs and senators; consuls from Slovakia, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, and the Netherlands; as well as the mayors of Teror, Tacoronte, Güímar, Arafo, Santa Úrsula, Fasnia, Tegueste, Puerto de la Cruz, Granadilla de Abona, San Miguel de Abona, La Matanza de Acentejo, El Sauzal, San Juan de la Rambla, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The Government Delegate, Anselmo Pensaba, and the Deputy Government Delegate, Jesús Javier Plata, also attended.
Brito concluded her speech by expressing gratitude to those who make the Grand Day possible: “a recognition for an impeccable and close job. Candelaria once again demonstrates that when we walk together, this festival is bigger than ever,” she concluded.
