Photos: Sergio Betancort
With Daniel Olivero's proclamation, the Tinajo festivities in honor of San Roque officially began this Friday. The event, hosted by announcer and presenter Francisco José Navarro, was held in the town square, where family, friends and neighbors gathered to listen to the experiences and anecdotes of the town crier.
The festival committee in charge of organizing the event and in agreement with Francisco José opted for the radio interview format. The announcer, with the skill that characterizes him, made Daniel engage in a dialogue with him, and with great ease and good humor, the town crier won over the numerous public present there. Olivero was relating how part of his family and work life had passed, a stage that was not easy and that with the help of Catalina Martín, his wife, they were able to raise their 11 children.
Juan Antonio Artiles, parish priest of San Roque, also participated, congratulating the residents on the festivities and inviting them to participate in the events programmed by the parish. Jesús Machín, mayor of the municipality, congratulated the town crier for accepting the invitation and for the good time he had recounting his experiences, he also thanked the work that the members of the festival committee have been doing, inviting all those present to participate in the events programmed on the occasion of the patron saint festivities.
Once the proclamation was finished, the mayor and the festival committee presented the town crier with the official diploma that accredits him as town crier of the San Roque 2019 festivities. Francisco José was also presented with a sculpture made of wood as host of the event. Then, since the town crier has practiced the trade of sailor since he was a child, the Parranda Marinera Los Buches in his honor performed several songs with a seafaring flavor such as La Batea del Gofio, Chiquilla Mía, Vals Marinero, etc. With the protocol photos, the final point was put to one of the most anticipated events of the festivities.
Sketch of Daniel Olivero
Daniel Olivero Hernández, was born in Mancha Blanca on March 9, 1929, into a large family with a total of 11 children. Daniel from a very young age visited the fishing village of La Santa with his brother Alejo spending seasons in times of prosperity. At the age of 14 he began working as a sailor, first on sailing ships and later on motor ships, leaving the activity for four years to join the ranks, thus complying with the military service that he had to carry out in the city of Cádiz due to his status as a sailor. Once the military period was over, he got a job on a tourist boat with which he had the opportunity to visit several countries and save some money to make his dreams come true, build his own house and have his own boat which he would baptize with the name of San Ramón.
Daniel married the young Catalina Martín de Armas, also a native of the town of La Santa. 11 children were born from this union. Catalina, a courageous mother, also contributed to the family economy by working in the Rocar canning factory located on the islet of El Francés in Arrecife. Daniel, tired of spending so much time away from the family, decided to return to La Santa and with the help of his children they went fishing on his boat, the San Ramón, and together with Catalina, his wife, they gave everything to ensure the family's livelihood. Daniel also worked on the islands of Tenerife and in the south of Gran Canaria in the tomato harvest and when the tourist boom broke out on the islands and since more money was earned, he left agriculture for construction.
Daniel and Catalina have been characterized as a very hospitable family, their doors have always been open, a reason that was recognized in 1991 by the Cabildo de Lanzarote who distinguished them with a plaque for the humanitarian gesture they had with a couple of foreigners who were assaulted and attacked and they took them into their home offering them lodging, food and clothing for about 90 days until they could return to their country of origin.
Daniel is a very appreciated and loved man, he had the opportunity to meet the famous boxer Sombrita, Heraclio Niz Pollo de Arrecife and many more characters from the world of cinema and television.
For a couple of years, the management of the Giguan school in Mancha Blanca has required his presence to explain to the students how to handle some fishing equipment, how to make marine knots or the elaboration of a gueldera, among others.
Currently Daniel is a happy man surrounded by his large family, 11 children, 23 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren and next to the sea breeze, that sea to which he has been linked since his birth.