Last Saturday afternoon, the residents of the municipality of San Bartolomé celebrated the Pilgrimage Offering in honor of the Holy Patron Saint.
At seven in the afternoon, the procession started from the Pedro Espinosa de León Football Field, going through the main streets of the town until reaching the square where the image of San Bartolomé Apóstol awaited them in the portico of the church. A carving dating from the late eighteenth century, next to the image was the parish priest Francisco José García, later joined by the mayor of San Bartolomé, Isidro Pérez Martín, and the Councilor for Festivities, Estefanía Luzardo Pérez.
Each year, more and more neighbors and friends from other municipalities are encouraged to participate in such a popular event as the pilgrimage. Dressed in traditional and typical clothes, forming small groups, they advanced along the route singing popular songs from the Canarian songbook. All together with the decorated carts, as tradition dictates in Lanzarote, and pulled by donkeys that are cared for with great care throughout the journey. We cannot forget the horses, beautiful specimens that powerfully attract the attention of tourists who are enjoying their holidays on the island at this time.
In San Bartolomé, the cradle of folklore in Lanzarote, the folklore groups cannot be missing, which with their songs and dances liven up the route, adding color to it with their typical costumes. Guadarfía, La Peña and Teguey, representative groups from San Bartolomé, were joined by the Los Labradores de Lanzarote parrandas, who never miss the event each year, El Golpito, which no pilgrim can resist, Son del Norte, Raúl Caraballo y Amigos, among others that have been formed especially for this day by party-loving friends. The associations of elderly people from Playa Honda and San Bartolomé also participated in the pilgrimage.
During the tour through the streets of the town until reaching the square where San Bartolomé awaits them, the pilgrims shared the food that they prepare with such care for this day, homemade pastries, cheese, donuts, pejines, boiled eggs and what is never lacking, the good wine of the municipality to refresh the throats.
But without a doubt, if something stands out above all in the pilgrimage of San Bartolomé, it is the solidarity when depositing the offering before the Holy Patron Saint. The large quantity of non-perishable products which will be destined to the most vulnerable families. The pilgrims ended up concentrating in the square next to the church for their offering before the image of San Bartolomé Apóstol. In addition to food, they also enjoyed the musical offering that the folklore groups and parrandas offer to the Holy Patron Saint, the best of their songs and traditional dances.
Before the image of San Bartolomé Apóstol crossed the portico of the church, Isidro Pérez Martín addressed all those present to thank them for the increasingly numerous participation, highlighting the "coexistence and harmony" among all the pilgrims. The parish priest, Francisco José García, was also very grateful for the solidarity of the participants with the amount of non-perishable products that will be delivered to Cáritas and Flora Acoge.
The party continued with the 'Baile del Romero', enlivened by Borrón y Cuenta Nueva.