The UNESCO World Heritage city will host a historic parade this Saturday, uniting generations and celebrating local identity with music, colour, and collective memory.
La Laguna has blossomed with creativity in the days leading up to the Night of Traditions during the Cristo Festival, thanks to workshops dedicated to creating the ‘caballitos de fuego’. Each afternoon, these sessions have brought together both young and old from the historic city. In collaboration with the departments of Cultural Heritage and Festivals, along with the Historic Centre Residents’ Association, the main event will take place this Saturday (13th September), when over 400 schoolchildren and locals will participate in the Parade of the Pandorga and the Caballitos de Fuego along the ancient streets of La Laguna. This year, the event will further increase its visibility by being integrated into the program of the Night of Heritage, an international initiative simultaneously celebrated by the 15 UNESCO World Heritage cities in Spain.
The Mayor of La Laguna, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, emphasised the human value of these workshops, stating that they “represent the soul of our Cristo Festival, where not only ornamental elements are created, but also connections, memories, and a sense of belonging. This effort reinforces the goal of passing our traditions down through generations, strengthening the bond between the community and its history.”
“Seeing the younger generation so engaged in the creation of the caballitos de fuego is hopeful, as it not only recovers a traditional festive expression but also values it as part of La Laguna’s intangible heritage. It’s an inspiring example of how tradition is passed down through hands and hearts,” the Mayor added.
Cultural Heritage Councillor, Adolfo Cordobés, expressed gratitude to the residents’ association and the educational community for their involvement in the preparation of this parade, which includes the Grupo Scout 70 Aguere and several local schools.
Cordobés highlighted the impact of this craftsmanship on heritage dissemination: “It’s a pedagogical tool that enables young people to actively connect with our roots. It’s heritage in action, experienced from within and shared with the community; a fusion of cultural heritage and civic participation, all amidst our celebration of 25 years of being recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage City.”
Meanwhile, the Councillor for Festivals, Dailos González, celebrated the community’s involvement in this initiative, “which has received an extraordinary response, where each caballito reflects the effort and enthusiasm of its creators. These workshops have transformed the lead-up to the Night of Traditions into a genuine pre-festival, igniting our culture from the very first moment.”
Both councillors emphasised how the collaboration between the Night of Heritage and the Cristo Festivals enriches both celebrations, consolidating a shared vision where tradition and contemporary culture can coexist, engage in dialogue, and strengthen one another. They also noted that the Night of Heritage provides significant international exposure for La Laguna’s material and immaterial heritage, including this deeply-rooted local tradition.
In fact, the origins of this event may relate to equestrian ornaments made during the Late Middle Ages and early Modern Age for commemorations and tributes. Today, it is also celebrated in other parts of the Canary Islands, as well as in various Spanish towns and Hispanic American countries, such as Mexico and Venezuela, with which La Laguna has notable historical ties.
A Grand Parade Through Five Centuries of History
The culmination of this collaborative effort from schoolchildren and locals will be showcased in the Parade of the Pandorga and the Caballitos de Fuego, which will traverse the historic centre from 8:00 PM this Saturday, starting at La Concepción square and concluding at Cristo square.
In addition to all the participants and key elements of the parade, the route will feature giants, large-headed figures, bands, and fanfares, reminiscing the splendour and vibrancy of the event’s origins. Bands such as San Miguel de La Laguna and A.M. Nazarenos de Tejina, along with Fanfarria Los Silos, will participate.
The Night of Traditions will continue at 9:00 PM on the grand stage at Cristo square, where recognition will be given to Alberto Mesa Perera (Pancho) and Agustín David Hernández Mesa (Lito) for their indispensable contributions to the celebrations of the towns and neighbourhoods of La Laguna, as well as to Tita Rodríguez and Pina Rodríguez de Milán for their contributions to the musical folklore of the Canary Islands.
The evening will also feature performances by Achamán, the Pieles Company, and the Canary Percussion Group, as well as dance pairs representing local folklore groups.
This will be further enhanced by the extensive cultural programme of the Night of Heritage, which combines tradition with contemporary dance, documentary screenings, the recovery of audiovisual memory, and guided tours of iconic monuments, among other activities. All programmes are free and open until capacity is reached, and details can be found on the website 25aniversario.aytolalaguna.es.
