"I speak on behalf of the Buches Mariner Band, with work clothes and an open heart." This is how Juan David Machado, Art Director and Secretary of this emblematic folk group from Arrecife - Gold Medal of the Canary Islands for its contribution to the cultural heritage of the Archipelago - began the proclamation that kicked off the Argana Baja festivities in honor of the Virgen de Chaxiraxi on Friday night.
The event was attended by the mayor of Arrecife, Yonathan de León, and the city's deputy mayor, Echedey Eugenio, who thanked and congratulated both the residents of the neighborhood and Los Buches for their involvement and contribution to the recovery of a festival that had not been held for three years. María del Carmen Rodríguez also spoke as spokesperson for the Festival Committee.
“Open Neighborhood”
Machado carried out a careful and emotional tour of the history of Argana Baja, "an open, dynamic neighborhood where doors are opened to make room for those who have arrived seeking a more dignified life," where the Parranda Marinera has had its social headquarters since 2003, and where "the question is not 'where do you come from?'" but rather "what do we do together?"
In his reading, he called for recognition of key people in the evolution of a neighborhood formed "in the mid-20th century" with the settlement of families arriving "from La Asomada and Tiagua, from San Bartolomé, Tinajo and the small sea of La Graciosa," who "brought stories and a titanic courage to prosper and grow; they brought trades, knowledge, and the desire to build houses."
People like "Doña Dolores Betancort, neighbor and hostess," who turned her house into a church; the parish priest Juan Ramón Viera; the illustrious writer and historian Félix Hormiga, with whom "theater was made" in the neighborhood; María de los Milagros Martín -"Mari, for everyone"-, president of the Festival Committee and architect "in the company of neighbors like Mari Carmen" Rodríguez so that "when Argana returns," it does so "with memory and project" -in reference to the recovery of its festivals-.
Performance
The conclusion of the reading of the proclamation gave way to a brilliant performance by the Parranda Marinera de Buches, under the musical direction of Roberto Gil and with the participation of its dance troupe directed by Rubén Valiente, whose repertoire - followed with enthusiasm and also the dancing of the public present - included the Sorondongo de los Navegantes, Vals Marinero, Folía de Los Buches, Niña Bonita, Chiquilla Mía, Isa Marinera and Querida Lola.
The festivities in honor of the Virgin of Chaxiraxi, which are taking place in the Argana Baja Sociocultural Center with the collaboration of the Arrecife Department of Festivities, led by the deputy mayor of the Lanzarote capital, Echedey Eugenio, will continue this Saturday with the celebration of children's workshops from 11:00 a.m.
Also this Saturday, there will be the Simpatía play back (8:00 p.m.), a performance by the Daniel de la Rosa Dance School (9:00 p.m.), and then a performance by the Parranda Los Labradores (10:00 p.m.). Finally, on Sunday, there will be mass at 6:00 p.m., and at 7:00 p.m., the play ‘Nozing’ will be performed, with the collaboration of the Department of Culture, led by councilwoman Abigail González.