Last weekend, the members of the Rancho de Pascua Archinech de Tinajo experienced a historic day that will mark a before and after since its foundation.
At six in the afternoon on Saturday, they were received at the entrance door of the Holy Church Cathedral Basilica of Santa Ana in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria by Dean José Lavandera, who very kindly acted as a guide. Lavandera showed them a very important part of this jewel, considered the most important monument of Canarian religious architecture, in which, as the Dean explained, "styles as different as late Gothic in its interior and neoclassical on the exterior" coexist. A cathedral that was declared a historical artistic monument of national character in 1974, housing several works of art by Lujan Pérez, such as the Christ that presides over the chapter house and the Dolorosa.
After the visit, at 8 p.m., the main door of the Cathedral was opened, which, as the Dean explained, this door "is only opened in some acts presided over by the Titular Bishop to kings or princes, and on this occasion for the members of the Rancho de Pascua Archinech. For the Tinajo group, it was an honor to enter from Santa Ana Square to the interior of the Cathedral and through the central corridor, performing 'El Corrido', led by the lead singer Juan Antonio Pérez, who was supported in turn by the rest of the members. Meanwhile, as they passed, the public crowded on one side and the other to immortalize the moment and, as the Dean explained, for him "it was the first time that a Rancho de Pascua performed in the Cathedral".
Once placed next to the Main Altar, they continued singing the entire programmed repertoire and were at all times supported by the applause of the public. Before ending the performance, Dean José Lavandera congratulated them, encouraging them to continue singing and brightening Christmas.
Immediately afterwards, member Ángel Hernández presented him with two replica gifts from the Tinajo Town Hall, the sundial and the heraldic shield of the municipality, and Clotildo Martín, on behalf of the Rancho de Pascua, presented him with an Accreditation Diploma as a reminder of such an important event.
Among the public were also some of the priests who spent several years exercising the priestly mission in the municipality of Tinajo and the professor of Spanish Philology and emeritus professor of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Maximiano Trapero, author, among others, of the book 'Los Ranchos de Ánimas y de Pascua'.
The act ended with the exit through the central corridor performing the 'Zapateo'. Thus, the final point was put to a day that will be part of the history of the Rancho de Pascua Archinech de Tinajo, which so worthily represented the municipality of Tinajo and the island of Lanzarote.
