The proclamation by the catechists Pepita Villalba, Lidia Barreto and Loli Hernández kicked off the festivities of the seaside neighborhood of Valterra in honor of its patron saint, Our Lady of Carmen.
The event took place in the neighborhood park and they were accompanied on stage by the parish priest of Valterra, Nicanor Bermúdez, Astrid Pérez, mayor of the Arrecife city council, and the Councilor for Festivities, Encarna Páez. The three heralds were recounting the anecdotes lived in the neighborhood, remembering with great enthusiasm and nostalgia how they were and how they have evolved today. Pepita and Lidia have been teaching catechism, preparing boys and girls for First Communion for 36 years, while Loli joined a few years later and has been there for 15 years.
During all these years they have worked together with each of the parish priests who in these years have been responsible for the parish such as Paco Martel, Paco Suarez, Agapito, Jaun Antonio and currently with Nicanor. Pepita, daughter of a sailor, born in Valterra, said that when she was a girl she was dressed as an Angel next to the altar that was placed in those times at the entrance to the neighborhood and when the Virgin passed by she threw flower petals at her. The three catechists also added that when they began to teach catechism there were a total of 16, including the current Councilor for Festivities of the Arrecife City Council, Encarna Páez, but that currently only the three heralds remain, who when they finish teaching catechism meet to share a snack.
At the end of the proclamation, the mayor and the councilor presented each of them with a framed photo as a souvenir where the following inscription can be read: "In recognition of the extraordinary work carried out for decades in the parish of Valterra to which a large part of their lives has been dedicated to maintain the Faith, Hope and contribution to the development and integral formation of the members of this community".
Next, the Parranda Coheso performed, performing a repertoire of traditional and popular folklore songs that was highly applauded by the large audience that came to the park, including councilors from the Arrecife City Council and the president of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, María Dolores Corujo.
