On the 12th of December, the celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe will commence at 6:30 p.m. within the church of La Concepción de La Laguna. A Mexican Holy Mass, performed by the Mariachi Mencey Azteca, will take place, followed by a performance of “Las Mañanitas” by Alex Fernández, a member of a renowned lineage of Mexican singers currently touring Spain. This will occur before the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, a painting that belongs to the private collection of Juan Baca and now forms part of the artistic legacy of the México Canarias Foundation.
Subsequently, in the vicinity of the Torre de la Concepción, the well-known event “Pedir Posada” will be conducted, a beloved Mexican custom that through song commemorates the journey of Mary and Joseph from their departure in Nazareth to Bethlehem, where they seek lodging and await the birth of the baby Jesus.
At 7:30 p.m. outside the México Canarias Foundation, located at Plaza de la Concepción Nº16, La Laguna, the time will come to “break the piñata.” The Mexican piñata takes on a distinctive shape with seven peaks, each symbolising the seven deadly sins that must be vanquished: pride, greed, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth. Shattering the seven peaks of the piñatas during the posadas is a ritual steeped in symbolism. Participants endeavour to strike it, blindfolded to signify the faith needed to conquer sins; the stick used represents the strength and virtue required to overcome wickedness. Attempting to hit the piñata that dangles from a rope epitomises the struggle against temptation and evil. When the piñata is finally broken, a shower of treats and gifts is unleashed, rewarding the resilience shown against adversity and the victory over temptation.
