PHOTOS: Sergio Betancort
One more year the residents of Altavista honored their patron saint San Antonio Mª Claret. At 6:00 p.m. this Tuesday, presided over by the titular parish priest, Juan Antonio Gallego, the celebration of the Holy Mass began. The church facilities were filled with the residents and other parishioners who came from other places on the island. For such a special day, the songs of the celebration were performed by the musical group Alborada Peña del Lentisco, a group directed by Professor José Cruz.
Once the Mass was over, the image of San Antonio Mª Claret, accompanied by the officiating priest, parishioners and the authorities, toured some of the streets surrounding the church. Among the public was the mayor of Arrecife, Eva de Anta, and several councilors from the Arrecife city council, the senator from Lanzarote, Joel Delgado, and the councilor of the Cabildo, José Juan Cruz.
After the procession, the residents moved to the social hall of the Padre Claret Neighborhood Association, where the board of directors offered them a delicious stew made with meat and potatoes, washed down with good wine, water and soft drinks. Once dinner was over, they proceeded to serve the desserts "very rich and varied", many of them made by the residents themselves. And the final touch was put with a chocolate. Afterwards, the parranda "Pa´l Porrón" enlivened the evening with a repertoire of very lively songs where most of the residents left their seats and started dancing. The day ended with the burning of the fireworks, which were greatly applauded by the residents at the end.
