La Laguna, the only World Heritage city in the Canary Islands, became the hub of cultural heritage for the people of Tenerife yesterday. Its streets, with more than five centuries of history, gathered hundreds from across the island on Saturday afternoon for the parade of the 7th Tenerife Libreas Meeting, a union of complex and diverse cultural manifestations that preserve the legacy of generations marked by distant battles, pirate attacks, or prayers for harvests.
For several hours, locals and visitors enjoyed the creativity and dedication of those keeping these representations alive in the towns of the North and Northwest of the island as a celebration of their cultural heritage.
Some evoked the Battle of Lepanto in 1571 and used militias, like those of Valle de Guerra or Taganana, while others featured devil figures dancing to the rhythm of tajaraste, recreations linked to giving thanks to patron saints for good harvests or for saving them from pirate attacks.
The parade connected Hermano Ramón and El Cristo squares, via Viana street, and concluded with an explanation and brief representation of the libreas of Valle de Guerra, El Tanque, Taganana, El Palmar, as well as those from Lugar de Buenavista and the Diablos de las Angustias from Icod de Los Vinos.
The initiative, organised by the Cultural Federation Libreas de Tenerife, was supported by the Cultural Heritage and Festivities Councils of the La Laguna City Council, the Tamaimos Canary Foundation, and the Fernando Estévez School of Art and Higher Design.
