The La Laguna City Council is finalising the documentation for the declaration of La Librea de Valle de Guerra as a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest. This announcement was made by the mayor of La Laguna, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, during a press conference to unveil a new edition of this beloved theatrical performance that commemorates the battle of Lepanto, set to take place this Saturday, October 12, starting at 9:00 p.m.
“La Librea possesses a cultural, heritage, and certainly a tourism aspect, contributing to promoting the name and attractions of Valle de Guerra across the Canary Islands,” stated the mayor. “The City Council, through the Tourism department, has been diligently preparing the necessary documentation for its declaration as a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest; this documentation is in its final stages and we anticipate that it will culminate in this new recognition, further enhancing its presence within the Archipelago,” explained Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, who was joined by Guillermo López, president of the Friends of La Librea Association; Dámaso León, a student from IES Valle Guerra involved in creating the poster; and two young actresses participating in this edition.
The presentation event also saw the attendance of those responsible for the Culture department, Dailos González; Tourism, Estefanía Díaz; and Historical Heritage, Adolfo Cordobés, along with councillors Badel Albelo, Fran Hernández, Cristina Ledesma, and Atteneri Falero. The mayor noted this presence to showcase “the backing that the La Laguna City Council provides to this celebration, regarded as an Asset of Cultural Interest within the realm of Intangible Heritage,” which represents “one of our most treasured ethnographic jewels.”
The mayor also accentuated the vivacious nature of an event that “each year incorporates new contributions, scenes, characters, and elements, making every edition increasingly appealing,” and particularly, “with the inclusion of young individuals who are destined to be the generational successors who keep this tradition alive.”
Guillermo López expressed gratitude to the City Council for its support “both financially and logistically,” along with other public administrations such as the Cabildo and the Government of the Canary Islands, as well as various entities that “help to promote this emblem of Vallera’s identity.”
The president of the Friends of La Librea Association emphasised the participatory nature of the event, which involves approximately 250 participants, and which already commenced its preliminary activities on Monday night with the procession of the Virgin of the Rosary, accompanied by the ox-drawn ship and the Virgin’s entourage. Guillermo López also highlighted the community aspect of the Livery and the continuous engagement of youth, sustained by a professional team led by stage director Nacho Almenar, along with lighting and sound technicians.
This year, a new scene has been integrated into the original text by Juan Cairós, relating to a dream of Cervantes. A tribute from the early 20th century will also be revisited in honour of the Virgin of the Rosary. Additionally, the cast of performers will experience a transformation of roles. Alicia Díaz Barbuzano has revamped the castle scenery, and improvements have been made to the mural in the Plaza de Valle de Guerra by Pedro Cedrés and his team. The musical direction is in the hands of Isaac González.
Finally, Dámaso León explained the process of designing the poster for this edition, along with students Laura González Pérez and Rafael Rosario Panina. “We are thrilled that IES Valle Guerra has been able to partake and visually represent this Asset of Cultural Interest in which the entire community unites,” he remarked. “In the poster, we aimed to depict a museum room along with two items symbolising the battle, including the morion, the soldiers’ helmet, and the painting of the Virgin.”
The Valle de Guerra Livery commemorates the historic battle of Lepanto in 1571, in which Canarian soldiers led by the Palmero Captain Francisco Díaz Pimienta took part, as evidenced by documents held in the church of El Salvador de Santa Cruz de La Palma. The earliest historical record documenting the Livery of Valle de Guerra is ‘Memories collected in the form of a Diary by the Viscount of Buen Paso (1800-1810)’, penned by Juan Primo de la Guerra in his Diary, dating from October 2, 1803.
Among the accolades received by La Librea are the designation of Asset of Cultural Interest (2007), the international CICOP award for Intangible Cultural Heritage, the insignia from the Centre for Tourist Initiatives, and the Amazigh award for the best act of cultural interest. Since June 2021, it has been included in the Spanish Intangible Heritage Platform, a recognition awarded by the Ministry of Culture.
