Teseguite celebrates the "VII Memorial Juan Cabrera Lemes" on the occasion of the San Leandro festivities

One of the most emblematic moments of the night was the tribute to the town's oldest resident, Domingo Díaz Figuero

March 11 2023 (11:47 WET)
Updated in March 12 2023 (11:18 WET)
The oldest resident of Teseguite, Domingo Díaz Figueroa, with his children
The oldest resident of Teseguite, Domingo Díaz Figueroa, with his children

On the occasion of the festivities of San Leandro, patron saint of the town of Teseguite, the "VII Memorial Juan Cabrera Lemes" was held on Friday night. The event was organized by the "El Lagar de Teseguite" Parranda, in the halls of the Socio-Cultural Center. Neighbors and lovers of Canarian traditions gathered, filling the permitted capacity to enjoy a festive night where Canarian songs and dances were very present.

The event began with the performance of the organizing parranda "El Lagar", as a musical base so that the members of the Cultural Association of Typical Dances "Altaja" could carry out the most traditional pieces of Canarian dances such as: Seguidillas, Sorondongo, Folias and Isa del Sol, a performance very applauded by the public present: Then, the Parranda "El Lagar" continued with its musical repertoire dusting off each and every one of those songs that were sung in the ballroom dances and where some of those present left their chairs to enjoy dancing.

Until the highlight of the night arrived, the recognition of Domingo Díaz Figueroa, the oldest resident of Teseguite, who is currently 100 years old. A man with a lot of history and who on such a special night was very supported by his family. Domingo Díaz Figueroa was born in the same year as José Saramago when King Alfonso XIII reigned in Spain and witnessed how the Second Republic began to falter, that same year the "One Hour Less" schedule was established in the Canary Islands, also where many Lanzarote residents and Domingo's neighbors emigrated to the island of Cuba seeking sustenance for their families working in the coffee plantations and sugar cane.

But he stayed in Teseguite working as a farmer and a few years later he dedicated himself to the exchange of camels with the Moors and Majoreros; a task that in those years was very common in Lanzarote because with the camel the agricultural tasks were much more bearable. He married Julia Aparicio, a native of the town of Tao, a union from which three daughters and a son were born. Currently the family has been increasing with the arrival of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The president of the El Lagar Parranda presented him with a sculpture with the symbol of the parranda and bouquets of flowers to give to his wife, who could not be present. The Teguise City Council also wanted to support the neighbor and its mayor, Oswaldo Betancort, presented him with a commemorative plaque. After the official photos, the night continued with the performance of the Parranda "Asentaos y Tumbaos" from the Aldea Blanca de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, a parranda founded in 2004 with 20 members musically directed by Fernando Rodríguez and who enlivened the night with traditional and popular songs until well into midnight. In this way, the finishing touch was put to a festive and very emotional night with the recognition of the oldest resident of Teseguite, Domingo Díaz Figueroa.

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