The Parranda Marinera de Buches represented the island of Lanzarote in the pilgrimage held in honor of Our Lady of Las Nieves in La Villa de Agaete, Gran Canaria.
An act full of symbolism and tradition celebrated last Saturday with the cultural twinning between two towns with a strong maritime spirit, thus consolidating ties between Lanzarote and Gran Canaria. During the pilgrimage, the coastal culture of Arrecife was spectacularly present through the Parranda Marinera de Buches who offered an impressive performance of dance and music.
This traditional group known for its prominent role in carnivals, in the festivals of San Ginés and El Carmen in Arrecife, recreated in the Villa de Agaete its emblematic dances outside the usual context, maintaining a tradition. The Parranda Marinera de Buches opened the pilgrimage with its 'Gallardete', a festive flag typical of old sailing ships, symbolizing the maritime and cultural connection that unites these two islands. The joy, spontaneity and unmistakable musical heritage of Los Buches resonated in every corner of La Villa de Agaete, leaving an indelible mark on all those present.
The pilgrimage began on the esplanade next to the Alcalde Andrés Rodríguez Martín municipal stadium, touring the main streets of La Villa de Agaete until reaching the Plaza de la Constitución where the music corps, under the direction of Professor Roberto Gil, performed an outstanding interpretation of the piece 'Querida Lola', whose echoes resonated strongly. Simultaneously, the dance corps coordinated by the deputy director Vanessa Pérez and with the choreographic arrangements of the dance director Rubén Valiente offered an emotional interpretation recalling the dance of 'Los Renegados', recovering the essence of this ancient tradition.
The act culminated with the offering before the Flemish Triptych of Our Lady of Las Nieves, a work by the artist Joos Van Cleve, dating from the 16th century. The event reached its climax when, to the ovation of the public, the president of the Parranda Marinera de Buches, Juan Antonio Machado Santana, received from the hands of the mayor of La Villa de Agaete, Jesús González Sánchez, and the councilor for Festivities, Candelaria Mendoza Saavedra, the decoration that symbolized the Cultural Twinning between the maritime cities of La Villa de Agaete and Arrecife de Lanzarote.
The Parranda Marinera de Buches returned to Lanzarote with the pride of having taken part of its essence to La Villa de Agaete in Gran Canaria with the firm intention of continuing to strengthen and disseminate its cultural legacy throughout the Canary Islands and beyond...
Los Buches begin the path to be recognized as intangible heritage of the Canary Islands
This trip marks the beginning of an ambitious strategy of the Parranda Marinera de Buches to recover and expand its presence outside the island. With the aim of strengthening its role in the scene of traditional Canarian and international culture. Los Buches are committed to promoting this tradition, and aspires to be recognized as Cultural Heritage of the Government of the Canary Islands. To this end, the entity has prepared a huge amount of historical documentation, waiting only for the necessary technical processes by the Heritage Area of the Cabildo de Lanzarote to initiate the file of Asset of Cultural Interest as Intangible Heritage of the Government of the Canary Islands.