Last Friday night, at 8:00 PM, the social headquarters of the Parranda Marinera de Buches, located on Ico street in Argana Baja, transformed into a small beacon of tradition. The "Teatro Chico Cuatro Esquinas" opened its doors to host the show "Sones de Mar," an event with which the parranda's management concluded its artistic agenda for 2025. The venue, full long before the start, brought together family, friends, and supporters from different parts of the island to rally, once again, around this great family that Arrecife has carried in its soul for generations.
A beginning from memory
The president of the Parranda Marinera de Buches, Juan Antonio Machado, was in charge of inaugurating the evening. In his speech, he offered a tour through the history of this centenary group, emotionally recalling that "we are the heritage of this city of Arrecife, but above all of Lanzarote and the Canary Islands," our music and our dances cross borders and generations, and perhaps they are one of the best examples of the cultural resistance of a people who do not forget their roots. Tonight we will hear and see a part of this living legacy.
Machado evoked the origins of Los buches, documented as early as 1711, and their consolidation as a carnival form in the 19th century, until their official founding in 1922 in the fishermen's lodge, a natural refuge for seafarers that gave them identity and meaning. His words concluded with a sincere thank you to the public for accompanying the group on such a special night.
Habaneras that taste of port
The show opened with a segment dedicated to habaneras, a genre inseparable from Arrecife's musical memory. Thanks to the impetus of partner and buchero Braulio de León Navarro, habaneras were incorporated into the parranda's repertoire decades ago, giving them their own personality through the lens of maritime folklore.
The first piece performed was "Una Habanera para Arrecife," created by Yaiza writer Jaime Quesada with musical arrangements by Professor Roberto Gil, the parranda's musical director. This was followed by "La Bella Lola y La Caña Dulce," which closed a first block of nostalgia, mist, and saltpeter
Dance, tradition, and feeling
For the second part of the concert, the dance troupe joined, directed by professor Rubén Valiente. Men and women offered an exquisite display of the most representative maritime airs: the Folía Marinera, the Isa Marinera, the Vals Marinero, and, as a finale, one of the most emblematic compositions of the parranda, "Querida Lola." It was a journey through the living essence of a people who celebrate their connection with the sea not only with music but with movement, cadence, and shared memory
Youth takes the helm
The night didn't end there. After the farewell of the party, the young duo "Norberto Arrocha and Sofía Pérez" took the stage, two performers committed to Canarian music and traditions. With their timples and guitar, they performed a carefully curated and varied repertoire, captivating the audience, who responded with applause. In a particularly emotional moment, Norberto and Sofía called on the island's youth to become more involved in the defense and continuity of Canarian musical heritage, aware of the crucial role of new generations in preserving these cultural expressions.
A project with soul
"Sones de Mar" was made possible thanks to its creator, David Machado, the intellectual, driving force behind the format and the revitalization that the association and its heritage have experienced in recent years. The evening also featured the presence of the Official Chronicler of Los Buches, Óscar Torres Perdomo, who did not want to miss a night that is now recorded in the recent history of the group.
A tasty ending to an unforgettable night.
Once the show concluded, the audience moved to the first-floor lounge, where they enjoyed a varied and delicious snack, extending the camaraderie and celebrating, amidst anecdotes and memories, the success of the annual closing of the Parranda Marinera de Buches.