Carmen Arrocha, president of AFOL and resident of El Mojón, was in charge of proclaiming the town's festivities in honor of Nuestra Señora del Rosario. Festivities marked by tradition and the great participation of the neighbors who are in charge of organizing all the events.
Arrocha shared some of the experiences of the 25 years that she and her husband Jorge have been living in El Mojón "for its hospitality and being away from the worldly noise of the city." The herald went on to explain how the first contacts with the neighbors were, such as Mrs. María, an endearing woman who became her link for her integration and adaptation to the customs of the town. A task that was not difficult for her because little by little she also met other families such as those of Bernita, Catalina, Tomasa, Lola and Teresa, "exceptional ladies for their affection, commitment and solidarity." She recalled that some asked her "how did a girl from El Puerto and a sailor man, from the coast, end up in the town of El Mojón?".
Another of the neighbors that Carmen had very present was "Mr. Marcos", Basilio's father, who from the first moment and without knowing them at all offered them light and water so that they could build their house. She also remembered more neighbors such as Tita, Casilda, Luisa, Dolorsi, Luisa, Juan Vicente, Jonás, Melo, Amado and Juan.
Carmen pointed out that when the days of the festivities in honor of San Sebastián and Nuestra Señora del Rosario arrived, many more people from the surrounding towns came to share with family and friends the special meal as tradition dictates. Arrocha recalled with great nostalgia the chat, the coffee that was drunk in the sacristy of the church with the priest Antonio Juan, a moment that served "to get to know each other and improve coexistence", or the "card game to continue arguing for a while longer with the elders of the town."
What really surprised the herald was the decision of her husband, Jorge, to participate with the youngest in a small play with his daughter Isabel and the neighbor Jonás. A special moment was when she thanked "each and every one of the neighbors for the support, the words of encouragement she received during the entire process of her daughter Patricia." Carmen and her family are fully integrated into the town and today those who enjoy it the most are her grandchildren "running around and helping their grandfather plant potatoes, lettuce and collect the pitayas that they love madly", she added.
"For my family it is important to find tranquility, good people and feel loved by the neighbors of the town, today we can say that in the town of El Mojón, we have found it, thank you", with these words Carmen ended her proclamation.
The herald was supported by her family, friends, neighbors and municipal authorities, including the mayor of Teguise, Oswaldo Betancort, and the Councilor for Culture and Festivities, Nori Machín. The musical part was enlivened by the duo formed by Vanessa Rijo and her husband Toni Rodríguez who performed three musical themes. They also surprised the herald by singing a folía to which they put special lyrics dedicated to her and which was widely applauded by all those present. The festival committee presented the herald with a bouquet of flowers and a basket with products from the municipality.
