Some 20,000 people gathered yesterday in Tegueste to celebrate the return of its emblematic Pilgrimage of San Marcos Evangelista, one of the most massive and important in the Canary Islands and which had not been able to celebrate normally for three years due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, which forced its cancellation or symbolic celebration. In fact, until 3:00 p.m. yesterday, between 12,000 and 13,000 people had participated in the festivities, according to data from the Local police facilitated by the City hall.
A figure that finally rose to 20,000 people at the end of the day.
“We are delighted, and even more so after three years of not having any festivity as numerous and fantastic as this one. It has gone very normally, with a lot of fun, with a lot of Canariedad, which is what we want, and we are happy. I have no words to define what has happened here today, fantastic”, assessed the mayoress of Tegueste, Ana Rosa Mena, in the middle of the afternoon.
Neighbors and visitors had a great accumulated desire to enjoy this event that celebrated its 55th edition yesterday and turned the town into the capital of folklore and tradition of the Canary Islands, in a day that seemed more typical of summer and in which the sun and the heat pressed with desire. In fact, until 3:00 p.m. yesterday, some 20 incidents related to heat stroke and fainting spells were attended to, according to the Local Police. Although the heat did not prevent the Teguesteros from offering their happiness, their gastronomy and wine to the visitors as a symbol of the municipality’s friendship.
The pilgrimage, as is the tradition, started at 1:00 p.m. from San Marcos Square, after the celebration of the solemn Eucharist, which was attended by various authorities. Specifically, the image of San Marcos toured the streets of La Audiencia, El Carmen, Nueva, Prebendado Pacheco, San Marcos square, El Pino street and even La Placeta, accompanied by its emblematic decorated carts and boats, the identity of this pilgrimage , distributing wine, potatoes, gofio pellets or bananas, along with cattle, folkloric groups, the dancers of the island of El Hierro, the traditional Dance of the Flowers and thousands of people with their typical costumes and eager to celebrate.
A special occasion “because three years ago” it was not allowed to meet in a space like this, where “everyone could be, share traditional food and celebrate Canarian culture”, explained Eduardo Cabrera, one of the thousands of participants.
In the middle of the afternoon, San Marcos Square hosted a massive festival, with the Malibú Band orchestra, Grupo Latin Son and Grupo Son Sin Límite.
Carter’s Day
The events continue today with the celebration of Carretero’s Day, in which, at 2:00 p.m., Audiencia Street will host the exhibition of the carts participating yesterday in the pilgrimage and, at 6:00 p.m., San Marcos Square will live a new festival, which will feature performances by Grupo Atenia and Orquesta Wamampy. The carts can be seen in the square until May 4.
The next important event on the calendar will take place next Saturday, with the celebration of the Magicians’ Ball, at 10:30 p.m. in San Marcos Square, although the doors of the venue will open from 9:00 p.m. From the local Consistory it has been reported that tomorrow is when you can reserve a table for the dance of magicians, starting at 08:00 at the main door of the Town Hall on a first-come, first-served basis, and it is remembered that you can only make a maximum reservation of two tables per person and that after this face-to-face reservation, proof of payment of ten euros per table will be required for confirmation.
