Timanfaya National Park celebrated today at the Mancha Blanca Visitors and Interpretation Center the institutional act of the commemoration of its 50th anniversary. There, a presentation was carried out in which the valuable work of all the people who have contributed to its management and conservation was highlighted, and in which reference was made to the legacy of César Manrique and other personalities of the island in the defense of the natural landscape.
The institutional inauguration was led by the Deputy Minister of Ecological Transition, Fight against Climate Change and Energy of the Government of the Canary Islands, Julieta Schallenberg, the president of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort, the mayor of Tinajo, Jesús Machín, and the mayor of Yaiza, Óscar Noda.
The director of the Autonomous Body of National Parks (OAPN), Javier Pantoja, and the director and curator of the Timanfaya National Park, Pascual Gil, host of the event, also participated in the act.
During her speech, the Deputy Minister Julieta Schallenberg, highlighted the important conservation work of this natural emblem of the Canary Islands. "Our archipelago is the place in Spain that houses the most national parks and from the Government of the Canary Islands we work every day to protect and preserve its imposing nature." In addition, Schallenberg highlighted the vision of César Manrique and his artistic legacy, which "is still alive in the park and on the island so many years later and which places Lanzarote and Timanfaya as a place where nature, art and conservation go hand in hand."
Likewise, the Deputy Minister highlighted the important actions that the regional Executive is carrying out to take care of the national parks "as places of excellence and sustainability" and confirmed that the program of actions and events of the 50th anniversary of the Timanfaya National Park "is a great step forward in highlighting science and work for its conservation."
For his part, the president of the Cabildo of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, Oswaldo Betancort, stressed, during his speech, that "today is a day for emotion, a day for pride, a day for satisfaction. But it is also to renew the commitment to our territory; with Timanfaya, which has the maximum protection but is not exempt from threats."
"Let's celebrate with awareness," Betancort asserted, "let's be ambassadors of Lanzarote to those who visit us and an example of adherence to the new paradigm of sustainability. May the Timanfaya National Park be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations and the island does so too, for the sustenance and harmonious coexistence of all who succeed us."
Finally, the director of the Autonomous Body of National Parks thanked the work of the managers and technical teams of the park, "and all those people who inhabit and care for this territory, contributing with their work and daily dedication to making the Network of National Parks a real legacy for Humanity."
During the event, in which the commemorative plaque of the anniversary was unveiled, several videos were projected that reflected the fragility and beauty of the space that was protected 50 years ago. Likewise, the guests to the event enjoyed a guided tour of the geothermal anomalies of the park.
Events scheduled for the 50th anniversary
To activate curiosity, sensitivity and respect, the exhibition Guardians of Timanfaya, a tribute to all the park's workers, has been on display since last August. The exhibition can be visited every day, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except holidays, at the Mancha Blanca Visitors and Interpretation Center.
In addition, the presentation of the book of artistic photographs Timanfaya, Heart of Fire and Ash, whose authors are Néstor Rodan and Justo Gómez de Simbiografía, a work that has been carried out over three years and presents unpublished images of the only eminently geological national park in Spain, is planned.
Likewise, the program continues in October with the celebration of Architecture Week, which includes conferences and talks by the architects Víctor Armas, Ignacio Borrego and Alfonso Cano; and with the beginning of the cycle of conferences on the natural environment, by Rosa Betancort and Pascual Gil. The complete program, which will be developed throughout the anniversary year, can be consulted on the Timanfaya National Park website.
