Los Ancones celebrated last Friday one of the most anticipated events of its Fiestas del Risco: the traditional Maritime Pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of Candelaria and Saint John the Baptist, an event that once again brought together neighbors and visitors in a day full of tradition, folklore, and community.
The pilgrimage departed from the festival grounds and paraded through the town's streets, returning to the festive site. Throughout the route, pilgrims participated, accompanying the patron saints.
This year, moreover, the procession had an especially emotional significance, due to the inauguration of Saint John the Baptist's route for the first time alongside Our Lady of Candelaria, consolidating a tradition that the Neighbors Association “Las Velas” of Los Ancones has sought to revive and keep alive.
Fulfilling the Promise of the Founders of Los Ancones
The presence of the two patron saints has a history deeply linked to the origin of the town. Juanito and Guillermina, considered founders of Los Ancones, decided to donate the lands intended for the church, the social center, and the children's playground, on the condition that the patron saints would be Our Lady of Candelaria and Saint John the Baptist.
With the aim of fulfilling that promise and recovering a fundamental part of the town's history, the new board of the Neighbors Association “Las Velas,” upon assuming its responsibility in 2022, decided to work to make that commitment a reality.
Thus, in 2022, the image of Our Lady of Candelaria arrived from Tenerife, while last year the image of Saint John the Baptist arrived from Italy. In this way, step by step, the association has been fulfilling the promises and wishes linked to the origins of Los Ancones.
This year's Maritime Pilgrimage, therefore, represents a new chapter in that history and a recognition of those who made the birth and growth of this town possible.
After the procession arrived at the festival grounds, the celebration continued with the traditional Noche de Parrandas “Juanito y Guillermina,” in homage to the founders of Los Ancones, which featured the participation of the *Agrupación Folclórica Guagime* from Tahíche. The day concluded with a performance by the group *La Arrancadilla*, putting the finishing touch on a night marked by music, participation, and an excellent atmosphere.
The event was presented by Leandro Martín, who was in charge of hosting this festive day and accompanying the public during the development of the different performances and moments of the celebration.
From the “Las Velas” Neighborhood Association of Los Ancones and the Festival Commission, they wish to convey their gratitude to all the people who made the celebration of the festivals possible, as well as to those who participated.
The association and the commission thank the Teguise City Council for their collaboration, as well as the involvement of Nito, a resident of Tahíche, who for another year collaborated with the pilgrimage cart, and Félix Toribio, a resident of Los Ancones, responsible for the creation of the throne of the patron saints, made with great dedication and affection.
Likewise, the board and the commission wish to thank the participation of all the neighbors, visitors, pilgrims, folk groups, parrandas, collaborating companies, and all the people who, in one way or another, contributed to the development of the festivals.
The Los Ancones Risco Festivals, the smallest town in Teguise, culminated last Sunday with the traditional Water Festival, putting the finishing touch to a week full of celebration, coexistence, and neighborhood participation. Card tournaments, workshops, musical gala (dance groups, singers, playbacks, and comedy sketches), filled these days with activity, in festivals marked by a good atmosphere, tradition, and the meeting between neighbors and visitors.
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