Lanzarote bids farewell to one of its great cultural references. Antonio Corujo, recognized in 2024 as Adopted Son of the island by the Cabildo of Lanzarote, has passed away leaving behind an indelible legacy in the world of folklore.
Known for his "duende" since he was a child, Corujo discovered his vocation at the age of 9 in his father's barber shop, where he listened to his grandfather sing when Easter was prohibited. Those first experiences marked the beginning of a lifetime dedicated to the musical and dance traditions of Lanzarote and the Canary Islands.
He was a member of the Rancho de Pascuas de San Bartolomé and a tireless promoter of the verses of Víctor Fernández Gopar, Corujo turned the sound of limpets —inherited from his father— into an unmistakable hallmark of his performances, with which he toured not only the islands, but also international stages.
Beyond his artistic career, Antonio Corujo was part of a family dedicated to folklore: his children have continued that path, between teaching and creating instruments such as timples and guitars, while grandchildren and great-grandchildren are already beginning to take up the baton.
In one of his last interviews, the artist expressed his confidence that folklore "is not going to be lost", convinced that it will continue to evolve as it has done until now. At his many years, he was still performing at various events, faithful to his promise to continue singing "as long as he had the strength".
With his departure, Lanzarote loses one of the most representative voices of its collective memory, but his legacy will remain alive in the tradition that he knew how to protect, renew and share with new generations.
