The festivities in honor of the Santísimo Cristo de La Laguna will return to its plaza this year with more than a dozen popular acts to celebrate this edition. “Music, humor, tradition and color will once again fill this space under a strict security protocol, in compliance with the rules and recommendations of the health authorities in the face of the health crisis, after the pandemic forced in 2020 to take the programming to other venues “, reported the City Council this Monday.
The historic center of the city is already decked out to start the most emblematic festival of the municipality and the Amazon Sara Expósito, on horseback, was in charge of announcing the beginning of the festivities last Friday, a singular proclamation that had not been carried out for 37 years. out, adds the Consistory.
Hoping to improve the epidemiological situation suffered by the Island and, therefore, La Laguna, the accidental mayor, Rubens Ascanio, and the councilor for Fiestas, Badel Albelo, have announced this Monday the program prepared for this anus. Both were accompanied by the president of the Slavery of the Holy Christ of La Laguna, Francisco Doblas; the head of the Las Palmas Symphony Orchestra, Rubén Sánchez; and the author of the poster for this edition, Juan Cairós.
The programming, although it could undergo changes depending on the evolution of the health crisis, is made up of 39 events that will be concentrated, above all, in the square, the Leal Theater, the ex-convent of Santo Domingo and the Royal Sanctuary.
For Rubens Ascanio, “September is one of the most lagoon months that there is thanks to a centuries-old tradition that has become a hallmark and an endearing and special moment. Talking about the Christ of La Laguna is talking about heritage, festivities, culture and art ”, highlighted the accidental mayor, to later thank the Department of Fiestas and the rest of the areas involved for the effort made so that, despite the pandemic, can enjoy this event “in a safe way, with the hope that in 2022 it can be celebrated as we know it.”
For his part, Badel Albelo was in charge of giving the details of the program, which will be available on the City Council’s website. Although this year “is once again marked by the health crisis,” he indicated that the events return to the square with a strict protocol that will involve various prevention measures. Among them, a maximum capacity of 650 people stands out. To control attendance at any of the 14 events that will take place “in this limited and safe space”, you must have ticket access, available at www.mueveticket.com and at the point of sale that will be set up in that space, next to the Sanctuary.
The fires of Christ return
The traditional pyrotechnic exhibition is also recovered in this edition, after they had to be suspended in 2020, with an important novelty: “With fires that will considerably reduce noise pollution.” In this line of work to achieve a more respectful celebration that can be enjoyed by everyone, the councilor said that a series of measures will also be taken so that this holiday “becomes the most inclusive in history.”
The mayor thanked all the people involved for the effort made, “especially the mayor, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, who, although he has not been able to be present, has been working in the organization for six months.” In the same way, he mentioned “the personnel of the area; to all the agents that make programming possible (artists, technicians, producers…); to Julio Torres, for his collaboration in the development of the program; Israel Espino, director of the Los Sabandeños group; and the organizing team of the Youth Festival ”.
Thanks to this involvement, the festivities will be able to develop despite current limitations, continuing with a tradition “of more than 400 years of history and a fundamental part of our intangible and material heritage”, but also due to the economic revitalization that it will involve “in culture , a sector that has been greatly affected by the health crisis, and in the creation of jobs “.
In parallel, he added that the military space, attached to the plaza, may be used to place an amusement fair in that place, if the epidemiological situation allows it, “to support this activity, which has also been very harmed by the pandemic ”.
During the presentation, the author of the poster, Juan Cairós, pointed out that “for any artist, creating the poster for the big festival in La Laguna is not only a great pride but also a great personal challenge, where he jealously takes care of every detail, participating in the binomial of the sacred and the festive ”.
Programming
The festivities will officially start this Wednesday, at 8:30 p.m., with the proclamation at the Leal Theater – led by José Gómez Soliño, former rector of the University of La Laguna, professor in English Philosophy and president of the Royal Economic Society of Friends of the Country of Tenerife- and will last until October 29, the last day to enjoy the exhibition Galarza: the art of making art.
Among the scheduled appointments, is the concert Symphonic Mexico, which will be offered by the Las Palmas Symphony Orchestra this Friday, at 9:30 p.m., in the Plaza del Cristo. Its president, Rubén Sánchez, underlined “the enormous pleasure of being at parties that transcend beyond the municipality and, due to their tradition and scope, reach the entire Canary Islands.” The group will interpret great themes of Mexican folklore adapted to the orchestral staff, accompanied by typical instruments of the country and “with four voices well versed in this genre” such as Fabiola Trujillo, Mara Pérez Manuel Estupiñán and José Santana.
Regarding religious acts, Francisco Doblas was cautious about the details, since the times and spaces could change depending on the evolution of the pandemic data. For now, he pointed out that they are working on three scenarios given the “great desire” to see the Holy Christ in the street, after last year he could not go out due to the restrictions derived from the health crisis. On the one hand, hope has not been lost in being able to transfer the Blessed Christ to the Cathedral, although “it seems almost impossible.” On the other, the possibility of taking it out to the square or, as a third option, leaving it inside the Sanctuary is being studied, as it already happened in 2020.
According to the planned schedule, the bishop of the Nivariense Diocese, Bernardo Álvarez, will preside over the Eucharist on Thursday 9 and the Solemn Quinary, from that day until Monday 13. On Tuesday 14, the Eucharistic celebrations will take place in honor of Christ and Lieutenant General Carlos Palacios Zaforteza, head of the Canary Islands Command, will receive the staff of the Slavery of Christ, in official representation of the King.
