The emblematic cultural center El Almacén experienced the success of the event The Carnival of Lanzarote – Guardians of Heritage, organized by the Culture Area of the Cabildo of Lanzarote with the intention of highlighting one of the most popular festivals in the Canary Islands and publicizing the singularities of this cultural expression on the island.
The event began with the screening of the audiovisual work Cosa buena, poco dura, a production that summarizes the origin and evolution of the Carnival of Lanzarote, highlighting its importance and its rich history.
The screening was followed by a colloquium entitled Guardians of the festive legacy; Evolution and Challenges of Carnival in Lanzarote, where the heritage value of this festivity, the challenges of the future and the challenge of sustainability were analyzed.
The Minister of Culture, Jesús Machín Tavío, highlights the importance of this type of event to reflect on the past and present of the Carnival of Lanzarote, as well as to project its future. “This meeting serves as a meeting point between those direct and indirect agents who have witnessed and guarded the carnival tradition of Lanzarote. It is a time to share, learn and project together the future of our Carnival,” he said.
For her part, the Minister of Culture of the Government of the Canary Islands, Migdalia Machín, expressed during the event that "the success of this event reflects the deep roots and cultural richness of the Carnival of Lanzarote. It is essential to continue supporting and promoting these initiatives that not only celebrate our cultural heritage, but also allow us to reflect on its evolution and the challenges it faces.”
The colloquium included the participation of prominent experts and key figures in the carnival tradition of Lanzarote: Áurea Maury Cadavieco, founder of the murga Afilarmónica Las Revoltosas; Pepe Betancort, cultural manager of El Almacén; David Machado, artist and secretary of the Los Buches de Arrecife Association; and Francisco Hernández, chronicler of Teguise. The moderation was in charge of Raquel García Reyes, executive producer of “Cosa Buena, Poco Dura”.
Graphic document about the Carnival of Lanzarote
Cosa buena poco dura. The carnival of Lanzarote narrates the evolution of these festivals from their first lesser-known samples to the present. For this, the feature film, 50 minutes long, has had the advice of Benito Cabrera.
From the ancestral tradition of ‘Los Diabletes’ of Teguise, passing through Los Buches de Arrecife, festivity linked to the sea and the seafaring spirit, without forgetting ‘Los Toros de Tao y Tiagua’, whose mission was to scare all those who gathered through the streets during the carnival.
The producer Raquel García explained that “what is not known is not respected, so it is important to publicize, transmit and remember the importance of the carnivals of the island of Lanzarote.”
The event, which took place in an atmosphere of collaboration and reflection, was very well received by the attendees, who positively valued the opportunity to learn in depth about the heritage value of the Carnival and the efforts necessary for its sustainability.
