Photos: Sergio Betancort
Arrecife hosted the XXIV edition of the San Ginés Folk Festival on Friday night, which began with the reading of a manifesto condemning the terrorist attack that occurred last Thursday in Barcelona. Afterwards, attendees observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims and rejecting this act of violence.
The festival then began with an emotional tribute to the recently deceased Luis Morales Padrón, who was president of the Arrecife Choirs and Dances Folk Group from 1964 to 1977, his mandate being highly valued for having achieved great achievements. Coros y Danzas Arrecife dedicated the habanera entitled "Salió de Jamaica" to him, while the group's director, Santiago Torres, announced that they have decided to name him "Honorary Member". The title was collected by two of Morales' children, who took to the stage and also received a bouquet of flowers.
The performance of the Tetir Folk Group, which came from Vega de Tetir, in Fuerteventura, and created in 1973, then began. For the occasion, the members of the group wore peasant clothing from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their musical repertoire and dances were the most representative and traditional of the Majorera island, such as La Polka, Malagueñita and the Isa Corrida.
Second place went to the representatives of Carrizal de Ingenio, in Gran Canaria. The Guayadeque Folk Group, a formation that is around 43 years old and has 60 members, took to the stage with a very varied clothing that includes costumes from different places in Gran Canaria and dating from the 17th and 19th centuries. In their performance they performed songs such as Seguidillas de Gran Canaria, Duque de Cabra y Santo Domingo and Saltonas.
Next, the organizers of the festival took to the stage, who work together with the Department of Celebrations of the Arrecife City Council so that this popular event does not disappear from the San Ginés festivities. The Arrecife Choirs and Dances Folk Group, about to celebrate its 60th anniversary, is made up of about 40 members. Dressed in the traditional clothing of Lanzarote corresponding to the 18th and 19th centuries, they chose the most traditional of Lanzarote's folklore for this edition, such as Isa de Sol, Sorondongo and Malagueña, with a very careful staging and their performance being highly applauded by the audience.
The fourth place went to the representatives of the island of Tenerife, the Guayacsanta Folk Group, who came from the Cruz Santa neighborhood in Los Realejos. This group was created in 1977 and has 40 members, who have two costumes: a traditional 20th century peasant costume and another that includes several costumes from each of the islands. Guayacsanta put on stage the most representative of their songs and dances, among which Tajaraste, Tango Guanchero, Malagueña de Tenerife and Parrandera stood out, ending the festival with an isa parrandera in which the attending public also participated.
