Arona’s helmet was a party yesterday. A festival of the past, those that were celebrated in the middle of the last century, when living conditions had little to do with what they are now. Back then, tourism was unknown in the South and the means of survival were practically limited to what the land gave. But the joy was not lacking in the celebrations.
The town center returned yesterday to the 40s and 50s, in a tribute to those generations of neighbors for whom the post-war period did not make things easy for them. Arona in Traditions again summoned the neighbors with the typical clothes of the time to travel to those years, and the time machine was activated at 11 in the morning with the ringing of bells and the flowered reveille in the Plaza del Cristo de health.
From there, 11 hours ahead to enjoy exhibitions, craft markets, Canarian gastronomy, traditional games, theater, stories, party music and concerts, with a luxury lineup: Los Sabandeños, Taburiente, Taller Canario, Domingo el Colorao, Fabiola Socas, Juan Carlos Pérez and Güicho Estévez, who premiered El tambor de las Islas, in addition to the Arona Music Band.
The City Council’s program also included tastings, workshops, an exhibition of vintage cars, storytellers’ circuits, performances of scenes from the time and visits to the historic houses of the town centre, which opened their doors to show off their formidable architectural heritage.
The response from the public was numerous, to which the initiative of the Arona City Council to set up free buses from Playa de Las Américas and Los Cristianos contributed. A service with return trips from the Plaza de La Paz stop.
While the folk groups took their music and dance to all corners of the town, the public spread throughout the town. Some visited the exhibition of Guanche instruments in the hall of the Town Hall and others attended the recreation of the old tomato packing machines and the displays of traditional costumes from the eight islands, clothing and photos of Canarian wrestling, donated by the Casa de la Bodega. the town crier of the festivities, Dámaso Rodríguez Linares, as well as a demonstration of the Gomeran whistle and the kneading of gofio.
Alba Chávez’s timple filled the courtyard of the Casa de los Baute with music, where the actress Carmen Cabeza excited the public with the staging of San Pascual Bailón. Nearby, in El Calvario, the costumbrista theater was the great protagonist with various interpretations and with the representation of Cuentos de la tierra and other occurrences of Juan Carlos Tacoronte.
As the day progressed, activities followed one another: the Casino offered Canarian dances, an old tavern was recreated on Calle de La Luna, and on Via Domínguez Afonso old vehicles were exhibited along with traditional craft stalls and stands. for tastings of Canarian products, with special prominence for the fiesta meat, the country’s wine and the sweet matambre from the 50s (tunos and chago).
The House for the Third Age, with a demonstration of the art of rosettes and an exhibition of works in papier-mâché by the elders of El Fraile; Calle del Medio, with an agricultural toy library and toys from the past, and La Fonda, with a theatrical performance, completed Arona’s offer of traditions.
For the mayor of Arona, José Julián Mena, it was “a long-awaited day of celebration for all, after two complicated years. Arona in Traditions has reflected the love for our culture and our customs, and with successful assistance. It is an example of Arona’s commitment to the historical and cultural values of the municipality”.
For his part, the Councilor for Tourism, José Alberto Delgado, highlighted the “presence and great interest of tourists in our traditions” and pointed out that “this day reflects our commitment to preserve our identity, tradition and heritage. The great participation demonstrates its consolidation”.
