Tinajo hosts the XXV Timbayba Folk Festival

Tinajo once again dressed in tradition, music, and emotions. The night of last Saturday will forever be etched in the memory of the large family of the Agrupación Musical Cultural Timbayba de Tinajo. Framed within the patron saint festivities in honor of San Roque, the social hall of Tinajo hosted a very special evening; the celebration of the XXV Timbayba Folkloric Festival, an edition that also had an even deeper meaning as it coincided with the commemoration of its forty years of history, under the beautiful motto "40 Years in the Sun".

And perhaps there is no better way to describe what was experienced than by saying that it was not simply a night of folklore. It was a night of feelings. A night of memories. A night of reunions. A night of friendship. 

The social hall became small due to the public's response. Relatives, friends, neighbors, and admirers of Timbayba wanted to accompany the group on such a significant date. The capacity was filled, and even the stragglers had to stand by the entrance door. No one wanted to miss a celebration that, long before it began, already promised to be unforgettable.

But if there was something that made this twenty-fifth edition of the Folkloric Festival truly special, it was that Timbayba opened its doors wide to meet again with those who, at some point in these forty years, were part of it.

The stage thus became a place of reunion.

Old colleagues returned. Memories that seemed dormant returned. And the hugs that can only be given between people who have shared many moments of their lives also returned.

It was emotional to witness the reunion between dancers, musicians, soloists, men and women of different generations, people who at some point walked together within this large family that is Timbayba.

Because forty years allow for a lot.

They allow for learning, for growing, for making mistakes and starting over. They allow for making friends who end up becoming family. They allow for accumulating stories, anecdotes, rehearsals, performances, trips, nerves before going on stage, laughter, efforts, and also the occasional tear.

And above all, they allow for leaving a mark.

A mark that was perfectly reflected that night on the stage of the Tinajo social hall.

Each of those people who during these forty years gave part of their time, their enthusiasm, and their lives to Timbayba contributed to making it possible for the group to continue proudly defending one of the greatest riches of our islands today; the culture and traditions of the Canary Islands.

Generation after generation, Timbayba has taken on the commitment to keep our customs alive, preserve them, and pass them on. To take our songs and dances wherever they are called and to always do so proudly carrying the name of Tinajo and Lanzarote.

And that night, they all felt part of a common history again.

A story that continues to be written.

On stage, the Folías, Seguidillas, Sorondongo, Isas, and Malagueñas sounded with special force. The voices, the instruments, and the sound of our traditional rhythms filled every corner of the hall. And along with the music, the colorful and elegant choreographies were painting an authentic picture of tradition, color, and feeling on stage.

A picture that, for its beauty, its meaning, and the emotion it conveyed, the best painter would have wished to paint.

But that night, something sounded even louder than the music; the applause and affection of those who were there.

For the current members of Timbayba, the support received will be difficult to forget. Celebrating the XXV Folkloric Festival and, at the same time, reaching 40 years of trajectory is not something that happens every day.

That is why the support received that night was not only a reason for joy.

It was also a commitment.

The commitment to keep working.

To not let their guard down.

To continue putting enthusiasm, effort, and heart into ensuring that our songs and dances remain alive and can continue to be passed down from generation to generation.

Because Timbayba is not just a folk group.

Timbayba is a family.

A family made up of many generations of men and women united by the same passion.

A family that has known how to grow without forgetting its roots.

A family that is already part of the cultural history of Tinajo and Lanzarote.

And precisely because of that, last Saturday night was also the night to say thank you.

Thank you, in capital letters.

Thank you to the audience, for always accompanying and supporting them.

Thank you to the families, for understanding, encouraging, and supporting so many hours of rehearsals, performances, and dedication.

Thanks to all the colleagues, especially those who answered the call to share the stage and memories again.

Thanks to the Tinajo City Council, for always being there when Timbayba has needed it and for accompanying the group on such an important date.

Thanks to the photographers, light and sound technicians, for their work, often silent, but essential for each performance to become a special night.

And thanks, above all, to all the people who during these forty years have contributed their bit so that Timbayba can celebrate its "40 Years in the Sun" today.

Because a group is not built solely with songs, instruments, or choreographies.

It is built with people.

With friendship.

With camaraderie.

With commitment.

With generosity.

And with many shared hours.

Perhaps that is why, when the lights went out and the last chord began to fade into the air, the celebration did not really end. Because what was experienced that night will remain in the memory of all who had the good fortune to be part of it.

Forty years later, Timbayba continues to walk.

And it does so accompanied by those who were there yesterday, by those who are here today, by those who will arrive tomorrow.

"40 Years in the Sun" is not just a celebration of the time that has passed. It is a recognition of four decades of effort, music, tradition, and love for our roots.

It is looking back with pride, but also looking forward with hope.

And it is understanding that, when there is friendship, camaraderie, and passion for what one does, the years do not weigh.

The years leave their mark.

And in Timbayba's case, forty years have left an indelible mark on the heart of Tinajo and Lanzarote.

Last Saturday night, the Timbayba family reunited.

And perhaps that collective embrace is the best photograph of these forty years.

An embrace between generations.

Between past and present.

Between those who were there and those who are still here.

An embrace that says, without the need for words, that the story continues.

That the music continues.

That our traditions continue.

And that as long as there is a voice to sing, hands to play, feet to dance, and a heart willing to defend our roots. Timbayba will continue to proudly carry the name of Tinajo, Lanzarote, and the Canary Islands wherever it goes.

From the heart, thank you very much. Timbayba, for these "40 Years in the Sun" and for all that is yet to come.