The 'San Ginés Folk Festival 2023' took place on Friday, August 18 on the stage located next to the small bridge of the four corners on the banks of the Charco de San Ginés.
The festival began around 9:30 p.m., with the presentation and introduction of a child, who announced the beginning of the festival and the San Ginés festivities. Then, the first participating group was presented, and while the touch group was being placed, a video of La Palma was projected, and then, the history of the group was presented with a voice-over. The first to participate was the 'Agrupación Folclórica coros y danzas nambroye de La Palma', beginning with Aires de Lima, Sióte, Berlina de Tijarafe, Danza del Trigo, Berlina, Seguidillas and ending with Folias.
Next, the 'Asociación cultural y folclórica acorán de los Realejos-Tenerife' performed, while some images of Tenerife were projected. At the beginning, the group and its small history were announced, beginning their performance with Seguidillas and Saltonas, Folias, Tanganillo, Santo Domingo and Tajaraste, Seguidillas Manchegas Malagueñas, ending with Isa de Tenerife. In third place, the cultural association 'Agrupación folclórica coros y danzas Arrecife' performed, closing the festival.
"Our repertoire began with 'El Sorondongo del Marinero, Folias, isa del uno, seguidillas de Lanzarote and Malagueñas and ending with an isa del Re popurrí as a farewell", adds the folk group 'Coros y danzas Arrecife'. With a performance in which the public "stood up". An occasion in which "all the groups were very well received, filling the stage with magic and color, traditional dances and songs", he relates. "They felt very honored, the public once again filled the venue and overflowed, it was a magical night," he confesses. In addition, to end the act, from the Association we dedicated that last song to the group from Tenerife "wishing that the fire will soon be extinguished", he says.
"All the groups were very well received, filling the stage with magic and color, traditional dances and songs"
The next day, Saturday, August 19, the groups participating in the festival, as has been customary since 2018, gathered at the four corners to begin the announced musical parade at 10:30 a.m., touring Calle Real and the shopping area to the mouth of Muelle Chico. There at the same entrance of the Puente de las Bolas was located San Ginés, to whom the two associations of La Palma and Tenerife danced and sang a piece of their repertoire the night before.
After the parade to the saint San Ginés, the presentation of gifts took place in La Recoba. A few minutes after the saint entered the temple, the presentation organized by 'Coros y Danzas Arrecife' and with the collaboration of the City Council and the Island Council of Lanzarote took place, which ended with a "very beautiful and emotional toast and snack for everyone present there", adds the group. Yonathan de León, Jacobo Medina, Echedey Eugenio and some councilors of the City Council were present at the event.
In addition, an hour before the start of the festival, at 8:30 p.m., kneaded gofio made by 'Los del Gofio Arráez' was distributed among the public, which delighted everyone present at the venue. "A detail with great success, since it involved the public and made them feel part of the musical atmosphere and the festivities", recognizes the group.
"A detail with great success, since it involved the public and made them feel part of the musical atmosphere and the festivities"
"The festival's main objective is to promote culture, the exchange of cultures with other groups, with associations of choirs and dances from other Spanish communities and other countries of the world," he adds. "We have always tried to transmit the cultural message through our traditions and customs, being convinced that we have almost always achieved it, all for Lanzarote, our small homeland, as well as the Canary Islands and Spain."
"Once we have achieved our goal, we are already thinking about the next festival in 2024", concludes the 'Agrupación Folclórica Coros y danzas Arrecife'.
