Playa Blanca once again demonstrated its deep respect and adoration for the Virgen del Carmen, massively participating in the religious services and processions, maritime and terrestrial, that honored the figure of the Patron Saint of the town and the sailors this weekend. Hundreds of faithful from the island accompanied residents of all ages who made pilgrimages through the southern streets, embarked, or followed the lively parade of more than fifty boats from the small beach.
Emotion, applause, and 'vivas' to the Virgin distinguished the events of Saturday and Sunday. The festival of July 16, the big day of Playa Blanca, began in the church with the Solemn Mass presided over by the parish priest of the municipality, Sixto Álvarez, and the accompaniment of the Coral de Yaiza. There were petitions for the health of locals and strangers and a heartfelt remembrance of deceased neighbors.
Amid applause and chords from the Yaiza Municipal Band, the Virgin left the temple carried by men and women who took turns during the tour through the central streets of the town until returning to the square. There, the folkloric tribute was not long in coming, and just as the devotees expressed countless displays of affection during the land procession, the Rubicón Folkloric Group shared its particular offering in the form of music and dance. The mayoress of Yaiza, Gladys Acuña, the councilor of Festivities, Javier Camacho, and councilors of the Municipal Corporation participated in the celebration.
The maritime procession on Sunday also brought together hundreds of devotees, young, adults, and elderly. The presence of Aurelio Martín or Blas Francisco Martín, a veteran sailor of more than 80 years of age who can boast of being one of the most respected fishermen on the coast of Playa Blanca and El Golfo, was unmissable. Also younger neighbors who are excited to carry the Virgin and help embark and disembark her on the shore of the beach. Age does not matter, everyone with the same feeling of admiration for the Patron Saint.
Escorted by fifty boats, large and small, the Virgen del Carmen paraded this year along the coast of Playa Blanca in 'El Iván', the boat of the young sailor Moisés Rodríguez, a member of the Fishermen's Association of Playa Blanca, a group that currently has 14 active boats with a home port in the south of Lanzarote. On 'El Iván' were fishermen, the participants in the Lady Yaiza 2016 contest, the mayoress, and the parish priest, who once again jumped into the sea with his cassock included.
The revelers of Los Salineros de la Hoya de Benito Rodríguez encouraged the crowded public that followed the maritime procession on the promenade and the beach with the sunset above. The disembarkation of the Virgin was filled with a lot of emotion and the surrendered public said goodbye to their Patron Saint, their 'Star of the Sea', with a chilling ovation.
