Last Saturday, the town of Teseguite was filled with tradition and joy on the occasion of the festivities in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary. As part of the celebrations, the "Altaja" Cultural Association of Traditional Dances offered its already consolidated VIII Folk Festival "Fiestas de Antaño," an emotional encounter with the roots of the Canarian people. The event took place in a setting steeped in history: the town square, next to the Church of San Leandro, a 17th-century jewel that stands out for its Mudejar roof and its magnificent Canarian Baroque altarpiece. In this heritage environment, folk groups, local authorities, and a devoted public gathered, who did not hold back in applause. Presented by the journalist Sara Bermúdez, a woman who deeply cherishes the traditional music and dances of the Canary Islands. This year, the festival featured the outstanding participation of the "Oroval" Folk Group, who came from the Villa de La Orotava, in Tenerife. Founded in 1993 with the firm purpose of preserving, recovering, and disseminating the musical traditions of the Archipelago. "Oroval" presented a repertoire that toured some of the islands, proudly showcasing their extensive cultural heritage. Under the direction of Juan Rodríguez González, the group exhibited traditional clothing with very elegant choreography. The performance of "Oroval" was warmly received by the attendees, who enthusiastically recognized the interpretive quality and cultural commitment of the Tenerife group.
For its part, the "Altaja" Cultural Association, host of the festival, reaffirmed once again its commitment to the island's folklore. Founded in 2023, "Altaja" was born with the aim of rescuing, promoting and encouraging the popular traditions of Lanzarote, framed within the rich Canarian cultural universe. Made up of women and men from all over the island, its members are faithful connoisseurs of inherited customs, which they express with authenticity and respect through song, dance and traditional clothing.
Their attire, mainly based on the historical clothing of Lanzarote, also incorporates costumes from other islands, always respecting traditional canons. In this edition, "Altaja" delighted the audience with a journey through the most representative songs and dances of the islands' folklore, earning warm applause in each of their performances.
The musical accompaniment was provided by the "El Lagar de Teseguite" band, formed in 2003 with the intention of representing the town of Teseguite with dignity in various celebrations. Its members, mostly residents of the town, keep the interpretive tradition alive "in the old way", guided by Professor Antonio María Perdomo. The artistic symbiosis between "Altaja" and "El Lagar de Teseguite" was, without a doubt, one of the most applauded moments of the night.
Among the attendees were the Mayoress of Teguise, Olivia Duque, and the Councilor for Culture and Festivals, Andoni Machín, who, at the end of the event, approached to personally congratulate the groups for their impeccable performance.
The evening culminated with a vibrant and colorful fireworks display that lit up the sky of Teseguite, putting the finishing touch to a magical night where culture, identity, and collective memory came together.