
Last Sunday afternoon, the XXII Senior Citizens' Gathering of Arrecife was held in Ramírez Cerdá Park on the occasion of the San Ginés festivities, an event organized by the Senior Citizens' Area of the Department of Social Services and Emigration of the City Council. At 7:30 p.m., the first musical chords of the Lanzarote orchestra Los Jarvac began to sound, which after several years of rest has returned again, enlivening days like the one celebrated this Sunday with the songs of yesterday, today, and always.
As usual in each of these gatherings, some people are distinguished who, throughout their working lives until their retirement, have struggled to obtain family sustenance while preserving a tradition. This year the distinction went to the sailor, resident of Arrecife, Emilio Tavío Cabrera, popularly known as Emilín.
The Councilor for Social Services and Emigration, María Jesús Tobar, and the Mayor of Arrecife, Astrid Pérez, took the stage to present themselves to the numerous public. It was the first time for them to manage this event. The first to speak was María Jesús Tobar, who offered her services to the elderly to help them in everything within her reach and to congratulate them on the festivities. Next, Astrid Pérez, following in the footsteps of the councilor, addressed everyone, thanking them for their attendance, congratulating them on the festivities, and encouraging them to enjoy the afternoon. Then, the honoree, Emilio Tavío, took the stage and was presented with a sculpture of the Puente de las Bolas, a symbol of the city of Arrecife. Emilio, very moved, addressed all those present to thank them for such a distinction. Immediately afterwards, catering was served consisting of pork in marinade with potatoes, bread, water, and soft drinks, and for dessert a large assortment of varied sweets while the chords of Los Jarvas continued to sound. With great animation, everyone danced until 10 p.m., attended at all times by the staff of Social Services and Emigration.
Biography of Emilio Tavío Cabrera (Emlilín)
Emilio had a small boat as his cradle because from a very young age he always had contact with the sea. Born in the neighborhood of La Pescadería, he knows the entire coastline and marina of Arrecife like no one else. He was fortunate to know the entire area of the marina before it was covered with stones and earth to build everything we know today as Ramírez Cerdá Park and Avenida Marítima. Emilio recounts with longing how three steps from his house he came into contact with the sea, catching santorras, starfish, limpets, green wrasse, and bait for his father to go fishing. Every time Emilio talks about all this, his eyes become moist and he is overcome with nostalgia because there are hardly any sailors left in Arrecife who dedicate themselves to fishing with small boats because when it comes to going fishing, everything is problems on the part of the competent authorities. He goes fishing less and less and has delegated to his son to see if with a little luck he can continue with the tradition. Emilio is also very linked to Latin sailing and although he says he is retired, his passion for the sea does not leave him for the moment.