The colorfulness of the most traditional costumes was the highlight of the XIV edition of the San Ginés Folk Festival. On this occasion, three groups were in charge of transmitting the vital rhythm of the towns that has endured and grown over the years to the neighbors.
The Folk Group Coros y Danza "Estrella y Guía" from the town of Santa María de Guía in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the Folk Group Coros y Danza Arrecife de Lanzarote and the Group of Choirs and Dances "Juéllega Extremeña" from the town of Valencia de Alcántara in Cáceres, delighted the residents of Lanzarote who attended the varied repertoire during the two hours that the show lasted. This was demonstrated by the corresponding applause from the hundreds of people who enjoyed the event.
The starting point was set by the 45 members of the Folk Group "Estrella y Guía" from the town of Santa María de Guía in Gran Canaria with a mazurka from La Palma. Men and women who made musical traditions their way of communicating with the audience attending the performance. This group, which since 1994 organizes the National Folklore Festival Isla de Gran Canaria, has participated in different festivals, pilgrimages and popular events both in the Canary Islands and in the Peninsula. The members wore on stage a costume from the northern area of Gran Canaria, with the work suit of the banana plantations from the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. A isa parrandera was the final culmination of their performance.
The Group of Choirs and Dances "Juéllega Extremeña", from the town of Valencia de Alcántara in Cáceres were the next to take the stage. Its 36 members bear the responsibility of maintaining and promoting the folkloric and cultural wealth of the region since its founding in 1980. It has four costumes for both men and women: Farmer's Costume, Ceremony Costume, Gala Costume and Work Costume. Throughout its long history, they have taken folklore to different regions, in all the autonomous communities of Spain, as well as several national and international festivals.
The last to take the stage were the almost 40 members of the Folk Group Coros y Danzas Arrecife, organizers of the Festival together with the Arrecife City Council and the Cabildo de Lanzarote. Concerned that the Canarian traditions remain alive and present in the San Ginés festivities, they have been on stage for 14 years. The next year 2008, this group celebrates its 50th anniversary. On Saturday night they began their performance with some seguidillas, isa de salón, folías, sorondongo, malagueña and ending with a parrandero medley.
In the act there were several exchanges of gifts and they were also presented with a gift from the Arrecife City Council.
The public, standing, applauded until the lights of the stage went out, which will not turn them on again until next year. The presentation of the festival was in charge of the veteran Francisco José Navarro Rodríguez.
