The residents of San Bartolomé are enjoying the events scheduled for the patron saint festivities in honor of San Bartolomé. Last Friday night, in the tent set up in the Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente park, they enjoyed a night where Canarian music and traditional dances were the protagonists in the 'XXIII Don José María Gil Memorial' and the 'Ajei Recognition' to the resident of San Bartolomé, Juan Francisco Martín Caraballo.
The Memorial began with the performance of the La Peña Folklore Group, musically directed by Professor Toni Rodríguez and dance-directed by Raúl de León. On this occasion, they chose the most representative of traditional music and dances such as folía, isa, seguidilla, malagueña, and mazurka. The La Peña Folklore Group, established in 1994 by Pablo de León (Marcial), has taken the name of San Bartolomé and Lanzarote to many stages, participating in festivals and pilgrimages, always preserving the legacy inherited from its creator. Over the years, many men and women have passed through the group, contributing to the preservation of songs and dances without any variation. With the loss of Pedro de León (Marcial), his grandson Raúl de León took over, and with the support of his colleagues, they continue to be worthy representatives wherever they go, receiving applause from the public as a reward.
Subsequently, Isidro Pérez Martín, mayor of the San Bartolomé City Council, addressed the large audience, highlighting the legacy that "marked a before and after in the history of folklore, of our land when in 1943 Don José María Gil established the always beloved and remembered Ajei Folklore Group in San Bartolomé, sowing the seed of a cultural movement that continues to bear fruit today." The mayor also emphasized the importance of keeping customs and traditions alive, the intangible heritage, committing to "continue working with the implementation of projects, activities, events, and recognition that contribute to strengthening the collective identity of San Bartolomé." In the XXIII Folklore Memorial dedicated to Don José María Gil, as every year, his son, José María Gil Cejudo, was present.
Ajei Recognition, 2025 to Juan Francisco Martín
The mayor of San Bartolomé addressed some words about the honoree, Juan Francisco Martín. "Today we want to pay a well-deserved tribute to an endearing figure, who has dedicated his life to folklore and the transmission of the cultural heritage of the municipality of San Bartolomé: Juan Francisco Martín Carballo (Quico). At just nine years old, he took his first steps as a dancer in the Ajei Folklore Group, and since then, his life has been inextricably linked to dance and traditional music. He was the founder of the Mencey group, a group formed by about thirty young people and children, where his formative vocation also began. Later, he contributed to the creation of the La Peña Folklore Group, and for 29 years he has been part of the Los Campesinos Folklore Group."
"Talking about Quico is talking about passion, dedication, and perseverance. It has been 54 years dedicated to folklore, in which he has not only shone as a dancer but has also played a fundamental role in the formation of new generations of artists. From the Mencey group until today, he has shared his experience, his talent, and his love for traditions with young people who today, thanks to him, also feel the pride of our roots. His work has been essential to preserve the cultural richness of San Bartolomé. Thanks to people like Quico, the art of dancing our folias, seguidillas, or our isas is not lost, but is renewed in each step taken by a new generation."
The mayor very emotionally concluded with these words, "on behalf of the San Bartolomé City Council and the entire municipality, I want to congratulate you from the heart. Quico, for this more than deserved "Ajei Recognition 2025", which we give you today as a symbol of gratitude for your tireless work, for your generosity, and for your love of folklore. You have been, and are, a reference for everyone. Thank you for continuing to teach us, with each dance, that our history is still alive.
Next, the honoree, surrounded by the mayor, Isidro Pérez, and the Councilor for Festivities, Estefanía Luzardo, took to the stage where they presented him with the accrediting diploma and a wooden sculpture reflecting the poster announcing the festivities, a moment where the public also joined in with their applause.
The musical group Bohemia Lanzarote, directed by Professor Juanma Padrón, put the finishing touch to the night. The group presented a very important part of compositions from their new album 'Huellas', transformed into a sound journey where the traditional folklore of the Canary Islands is presented with new ways of feeling, telling, and singing such as the malagueñas del agua, mazurka, Ojalá que llueva café, Algo Sobrenatural, or the Sorondongo Majorero. New rhythms always respecting the Canarian root, highlighting one of the most applauded pieces of the night as was the Folía, counting for this with the collaboration of José García, Darío, and Leo García. Bohemia Lanzarote conquered the public with its new musical project with totally renewed airs where musicians and soloist, all together, achieved the set objective.
