Photos: Sergio Betancort
The XXII edition of the Campesino festival was dedicated to "La Saranda," an undisputed symbol of this family of Lanzarote folklore. Precisely this song has lyrics and choreography created by Juan Brito. It consists of a representation of one of the agricultural tasks carried out by our farmers in the era of winnowing, to separate the straws from the legumes to prepare the substantial Canarian stews.
The event began at 9:30 p.m. with the screening of a video showing how a saranda was made, giving way to the music and dances of the peasant family. The group left their soul on the stage for the enjoyment of the numerous public that packed the fairground tent, being interrupted on more than one occasion with applause, thus corresponding to the effort and dedication they maintained throughout their performance.
The second part was for the family of "Los Gofiones" who came from Gran Canaria. It is difficult for us to relate in such a small space the musical trajectory of this formation with more than 50 years behind them full of performances throughout the Canary archipelago, peninsula, America and Europe with hundreds of recordings in radio and TV programs. Los Gofiones for this occasion prepared a special repertoire making a tour of the islands and putting their own stamp.
They also presented the public with some images from the old Tenderete program directed by the always remembered Nanino Díaz Cutillas where they could see and hear the voices of great soloists who have already disappeared such as Valentina la de Sabinosa, Dacio Ferrera from Tenerife or Manuel Navarro from Fuerteventura among others. It was a moment very well received by the public.
The central moment of the night arrived, on the stage were present the two participating families, Los Gofiones and Los Campesinos, it was at that precise moment when Juan Brito Martín went up on stage and from the hand of the director-president Miguel Ángel Corujo he was presented with the highest award granted by the peasant family "La Saranda de Oro".
The public standing up also joined this delivery with an extensive and warm ovation that Juan Brito, excited and with his arms raised symbolizing an embrace, kept repeating the phrase thank you, thank you, about to turn off the spotlights Los Gofiones, Campesinos and the public sang and danced the popular Canarian theme Somos Costeros that put the finishing touch to a magnificent night.
