Photos: Sergio Betancort
In 2006, the Government of the Canary Islands awarded the Gold Medal to the Ranchos de Ánimas y Pascuas for the "fundamental role" they have played in the history of the islands, in the case of Lanzarote, they are the ranchos of Haría, San Bartolomé, Teguise, Mácher, Tías, Yaiza and Tinajo, those of Tetir and Tiscamanita in Fuerteventura and the Ranchos de Ánimas of Teror and Valsequillo in Gran Canaria. This Thursday, 10 years later, each of them received a diploma and a replica of the long-awaited Medal that was awarded to them in their day.
The event took place in the church of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in Teguise and was presided over by the President of the Canary Islands Government, Fernando Clavijo. He was accompanied by the President of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Pedro San Ginés, as well as an extensive representation of the mayors of the island, Cabildo councillors and councillors from all the municipalities. But, without a doubt, the protagonists of the day were the members of the different Ranchos de Ánimas y Pascuas who, very excited, were the first to arrive and occupy each of the seats in the church. The parish priest Juan Antonio Artiles mingled with all of them, talking until the event began. Francisco Hernández, Official Chronicler of Teguise, was in charge of presenting it, giving way to the speakers, such as the mayor of Teguise, Oswaldo Betancort, or Fernando Clavijo.
Once the speeches were over, a video was shown with an important photographic document of the different Ranchos. Subsequently, each representative was presented with a replica of the medal and the diploma. Then, the Rancho de Pascua de Teguise staged the traditional "Danza del salto", also known as "El besa pie al niño Jesús".
Then came the customary photos with each of the Ranchos present, before moving to the Casa-Museo del Timple, where, at the express wish of the Ranchos, the authentic "Gold Medal" that was awarded to them in 2006 is on display in a glass case, in that event that, without a doubt, will be part of the cultural history of the Canary Islands, in which the Ranchos de Ánimas y Pascuas were the protagonists of the first musical manifestations of the Canary Islands.
