Yellows, blues, browns, greens, and lilacs harmoniously blended together. Hues that encapsulate the most genuine essence of El Sauzal, a town renowned for its beauty in every nook and cranny.
A natural and scenic richness that the observant photographer and psychologist Juanra Álvarez has beautifully documented in the 2025 thematic calendar, which the local council is distributing, once more, to all households within the municipality.
This initiative, which has been running for nearly two decades, is highly sought after by residents due to the originality and quality of its photographs, as well as its practicality, featuring important contact numbers, local festivals, and an agenda of community events.
This year’s main highlight is the addition of an interactive element, wherein two images showcasing a blend of colours, textures, and shapes depict various aspects of the town through a thoughtful perspective and striking visual impact. “A perceptual experience where each moment can linger eternally in one’s memory,” summarises the photographer.
Titled ‘El Sauzal, a visual poem’, Álvarez has enhanced “the concept with the form”, aiming to unveil, analyse, and appreciate each image, which possesses “a visual richness that transcends” and relies on the “authentic perspective” of each individual and how they resonate with the diverse locales, neighbourhoods, and geography of the municipality.
As in previous endeavours, the photographer reiterates the joy of exploring and uncovering visual inspirations in every corner of El Sauzal, encompassing its flora, fauna, customs, and community.
The document features 24 photographs, with two for each month of the year, in addition to two on the back cover, accompanied by a title that elucidates the significance of each location. For January, ‘Cozy winter’ illustrates the Los Naranjos urbanisation alongside the Gofio mill on the General Highway, while February’s ‘Luz de vida’ depicts a spot at La Baranda with Teide in the backdrop and San Pedro Square.
‘Almonds in bloom’, highlighting the sugared caramels of Juanele and the Ravelo neighbourhood, shines for the month of March. April is represented by soft blue tones and ‘Serene Contemplation’, depicted through photographs of the Mirador de las Breñas and the Los Parrales cliff.
‘Welcome to the sea’ opens May with El Cangrejillo and Roque de la Punta (El Puertito), two distinctive coastal locations nestled in the Protected Landscape of the Costa de Acentejo.
June captivates with its theme ‘Spiritual Flame’, showcasing the Festival of San Pedro and the offering to the Virgin of Los Angeles, the co-patron of El Sauzal, while the colour yellow dominates in July with ‘The value of diversity’. In this instance, Álvarez chose an image from the traditional Bajada del Arco, alongside a flower located in the centre of San Nicolás.
In harmony with summer, ‘Paseo littoral’ encapsulates August, featuring two more unique sites, Las Monjas and Arenal beach, characterised by its black sand.
September returns to blue, but with greater intensity. ‘Artisanal colour’ presents views from San José, merged with a snapshot of an activity involving the elderly.
October’s ‘Environmental wealth’ complements the Los Lavaderos spring and the reineta apple, termed ‘the queen of the midlands’ within the municipality; while November’s ‘Autumn Heritage’ is reflected in the vineyards at Cruz de Leandro and the sunset from El Calvario.
December offers ‘Earthly and celestial reflections’ from the Mirador de La Garañona park and the Casa de la Miel; however, this visual treasure concludes with the back cover, allowing further enjoyment of unique imagery, such as that of Los Lavaderos park, a “tranquil nook” of El Sauzal.
