The San Bartolomé festivities officially kicked off on Saturday night with Juana Saavedra's opening speech. The event began at 9 p.m., with the municipal theater filled to capacity. The first 20 minutes were filled with very good music by the clarinet and violin duo "Ellas", formed by Marta Curbelo from Lanzarote and Iya Zhmaeva from Russia. Both offered a selection of compositions by great masters of music such as Bach, Crusell, Mendelsshon or Rosini, which the public rewarded with their applause.
Next, the mayoress of San Bartolomé, María Dolores Corujo, made an appearance on stage, addressing those present and inviting them to participate in the scheduled events so that the festivities do not decline and continue to be a benchmark for meeting between families, neighbors and friends. Afterwards, the mayoress made a heartfelt review of the speaker, while congratulating her and thanking her for her dedication and commitment to the municipality.
Immediately afterwards, the speaker Juana Saavedra took to the stage to read her speech, where she reflected part of the 42 years she has been residing in San Bartolomé, a town to which she knew how to adapt and live as one more, leaving part of her roots in Mácher, her hometown. The speaker, a fighting woman with no fear of anything, gradually gained the affection of the neighbors and all those who were getting to know her. In addition, her commitment to each and every one of the social and cultural groups in the town stands out, such as the Canarian ball, petanque, theater, murga, catechesis and everything that time allowed.
Memories and wishes
In her speech, Juana had a fond memory for César Manrique, José María Gil, Eulogia and Dolores Ferrer, among others, and also spoke of the jable, the suffering farmers, the gofio and the sweet potatoes, the El Porvenir society and its famous dances for the Magdalena and Luz festivities, reminding everyone that these festivities are programmed in honor of San Bartolomé, who not only these days but throughout the year must be very present.
Juana Saavedra ended her speech wishing very happy holidays, with seduction, spell, charm and fascination. And to achieve this, she stressed that we only have to follow our dreams, respect our neighbor and open our hearts to love, peace, joy and friendship.
Immediately afterwards, the mayoress presented her with a parchment with the title of speaker and the councilor for Festivities, Áurea Mauri, presented her with a bouquet of flowers.
Next, Margarita Machín, secretary of the jury of the XII Historical Photography Contest "Family Photos in Ancient San Bartolomé", read the minutes of the jury, announcing the name of the three winning photographs.
The event ended with the performance of the saxophone quartet "Alisios", formed by young musicians who offered a varied musical repertoire of very varied compositions that were to the liking of the audience, who rewarded them with their applause, thus reaching the end of the event.
