The town of Tejina in La Laguna is gearing up for the most anticipated weekend of the festivities in honour of Saint Bartholomew. Over the next three days, particularly on Sunday, a significant number of visitors are expected to gather in the vicinity of the Church Square, the focal point of this celebration and the site for the iconic entrance of the Hearts.
The Mayor of La Laguna, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, commended the tremendous effort and dedication demonstrated by the community members from Calle Abajo, Calle Arriba, and El Pico in creating these symbols of the Tejinera and Lagunera population, alongside the commitment of the Festival Committee in organising these events. “The vibrancy, enthusiasm, and passion of these heartfelt days enrich this celebration that has been an integral part of our intangible cultural heritage for many years,” remarked the mayor.
Similarly, the Councillor for Festivities, Dailos González, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that “this tradition is handed down through generations, honouring the legacy of our forebears and ensuring its future through the involvement of the younger generation in this celebration.” “The spirit and sentiment embodied by the Hearts perfectly reflect the values that the people of Tejín uphold,” he added.
Events
This weekend’s schedule, centred around the Plaza de la Iglesia, will commence tomorrow, Friday, 23 August, with a parade of floats at 9:00 pm, followed by a lively party featuring the Grupo La Calle orchestra, which will take the main stage at 11:00 pm.
On Saturday, in celebration of Saint Bartholomew’s Day, festivities will kick off at 10:00 am with the Hormiguillas show. Later that evening, at 11:00 pm, the procession in honour of the saint will take place, accompanied by a fireworks display and a musical finale in the form of a street party, this time with performances by the Banda Loca and Sonora Olimpia orchestras.
The highlight of this exceptional weekend will occur on Sunday, beginning at 11:00 am, with the highly anticipated offering to the Hearts of Tejina and the entry of these symbols into the Church square, the centre of this celebration. This grand event will transition into the religious service and subsequent procession.
At 6:00 pm, the flower battle will unfold, another major event in the festival’s programme, setting the stage for the Festival of the Exaltation of the Hearts of Tejina, featuring performances by the Chisaje Folklore Group and the Cultural Association Antaruxas e Sorteiros de Galicia at 9:00 pm.
