The family of the Guagime Folklore Group celebrated its XIV festival called 'Roots and Tradition' on Friday night. Once again, the residents of Tahíche and followers of the group supported them by filling the facilities of the tent installed in the Santiago El Mayor Socio-Cultural Center.
The festival began with the performance of the Cultural Association La Guanchería from Los Realejos and La Guancha on the island of Tenerife. It was created in the late 70s by a group of friends determined to rescue the music and rhythms that recall the ancient Guanches. They started with drums, chácaras, flutes and bucios touring pilgrimages and paths and in the year 1998 they went on stage for the first time and since then they have not stopped taking their drum folklore throughout the Canary Islands. Also visiting Santiago de Compostela and Montserrat, places where they have become true ambassadors of the Canarian roots. La Guanchería' is made up of 4 components directed by Armando Díaz and they possess a wide repertoire of pieces that have been rescued such as tajarastes, sirinoques, sorodongos, herreño portraits, mills and other rhythms full of the strength of the drum. The Cultural Association La Guanchería won the applause of the public who did not stop applauding them throughout their performance.
Subsequently, the 'Recognition of the Rancho de Pascua de Teguise' was carried out, with the projection of a video where some passages of its long cultural trajectory were collected and which currently works side by side so that the inherited legacy is not lost. The president, Adrián Villalba, surrounded by some members of the Rancho, went on stage to collect the highest award, the 'Silver Badge' granted by Guagime to people and cultural groups who work to keep the inherited traditions alive. Fefo Pérez, director of Guagime, and Carmelina García, were in charge of making the delivery.
The XIV festival continued with the performance of the hosts and organizers taking the stage very excited to be able to participate one more year in the festivities in honor of Santiago Apóstol and Santa Ana. Under the musical direction of Fefo Pérez and with Desiré Hernández directing the dance, Guagime continues to demonstrate that although it is increasingly difficult for them to keep the traditions alive, they continue to move forward. Renewing itself with young people who very excited continue betting on the inherited legacy.
Guagime is made up of more than 30 members, keeps alive the spirit of its beginnings involving the new generations so that our music and our dances continue forward. For this edition, Guagime offered the most traditional songs and dances such as folías, Santo Domingo, seguidillas, malagueñas etc. receiving the affection of the public who at all times supported them with their applause thus putting the finishing touch to a day where traditions were very present.