On Saturday night, the municipal theater of San Bartolomé was the place chosen by the family of the Los Campesinos Folk Group to pay tribute to one of the oldest members, Pedro Luzardo. The event began with the performance of the San Bartolomé Polyphonic Choir directed by Professor Mariola Ferrer. They performed four songs with Canarian overtones, adapted to choral voices, and, for this occasion and in honor of the honoree, they wore a peasant costume. Their performance ended with the popular Sorondongo by José María Gil. The public rewarded them with their applause.
Immediately afterwards, the tribute began, whose title chosen for this occasion was "Sorondongo", alluding to the song that Pedro Luzardo Perera has been singing with great accuracy and ease for almost 49 years in the group. His colleagues, players and dancers gave their best on stage to show Pedro "how much they love and admire him for his dedication, availability, companionship, always willing to help in everything he can lend a hand."
Los Campesinos for this special night chose a repertoire based on the songs from their latest album "From Lanzarote". In the middle of the performance they made a stop and invited three great soloists friends of Pedro who in his honor sang the Sorondongo. Very charismatic voices such as those of Fefo García, Juan Rodríguez and Tito Perera. "Listening to them was like going back in time where the freshness and spontaneity of the soloists marked each of their interpretations very well."
At the end, the tribute recognition to Pedro Luzardo Perera was carried out, counting for it with the presence of his family, wife, daughters and grandchildren who went on stage to be with him. He also received a plaque from the Guadarfía Folk Group that his cousin Tito Perera gave him. For his part, Fefo García, who was also a member of Los Campesinos, gave him a ceramic in which Pedro's face was embedded.
The mayor of San Bartolomé, Mª Dolores Corujo, also joined this tribute by giving Pedro a ceramic, in addition to dedicating a few words to him. Closing this moment of recognition, the president of Los Campesinos, Miguel Ángel Corujo, who not only dedicated some emotional words to him but also gave him the poster announcing the event. With the musical chords of the flagship song of Los Campesinos "La Zaranda", an act marked by simplicity, emotion and camaraderie to a reference like Pedro Luzardo Perera came to an end.
Biography of Pedro Luzardo Perera
Pedro Luzardo Perera was born in San Bartolomé at the end of the 1940s. In his youth, he was part of the dance corps of the Ajei Folk Group, and a few years later, with the help of his cousin Tito Perera, he joined the Los Campesinos Folk Group. In those years, the president of the group was Juan Brito, who, seeing how agile Pedro played the mandolin, placed him in the group of players. A little later, his participation as a soloist stood out in the famous composition of the famous "Sorondongo", which he has been singing for the 49 years he has been in the formation. Pedro or Perico, as his colleagues really call him, is a reference to take into account, since he is always willing to lend a hand at any time. A simple and good-natured man, a friend of his friends and committed to the Campesina family in each of the stages he has had to live, high and low moments to which he has always been willing to put his shoulder to the wheel so that this project in which he has always believed and that he loves so much continues forward. "Congratulations Pedro".
