Teguise puts an end to its most historic commemoration

The Teguise City Council brought the historic commemoration of the founding of the Royal Villa of San Miguel Arcángel de Teguise and the establishment of the Fuero de Niebla in 1418 to a close at the Santo Domingo Convent.

An emotional farewell night, which began with the timple notes of Benito Cabrera, the guitar of Tomás Fariña and the voice of Marcial de León; and which continued with the audition of the Official Anthem "Teguise, dreamed princess", composed by Jesús Agomar Guillama and Miguel Ángel Bermúdez for the occasion.

"Today we put an end to a full year of celebrations, of commemorative events, a year in which we have constantly looked to the past to learn how we have arrived here," declared Oswaldo Betancort at the beginning of his speech, highlighting "the investment of the Teguise City Council and this Government group in cultural activities of different kinds: literature, art, music and, fundamentally, History".

The mayor of Teguise thanked "the great support received by everyone, especially by the cultural associations of the municipality", to which he awarded a Medal of Honor at the end of the event; but he also dedicated words of gratitude to researchers, historians, archivists, teachers, students, groups, businessmen and so many institutions "that have made their own a project that has highlighted the heritage and cultural wealth of Lanzarote, and has placed Teguise at the top".

Betancort expressed his pride in Teguise "as a town in continuous expansion, but whose residents greet each other, converse and live together, perpetuating their great humanitarian sense and the affability that characterizes them." "To the women and men who dedicate themselves to my same work, I ask them to keep alive the love for our land and to educate their children in the values of belonging," concluded an Oswaldo Betancort visibly moved and grateful "for the privilege of living this great moment as mayor and resident of Teguise." 

Exceptional guests and Medals of Honor

Among the guests to the closing ceremony were several authorities from the different island institutions, and representing the regional government, was the councilor Cristina Valido, who excused the absence of the president of the Canarian Executive, Fernando Clavijo, and dedicated a few words of recognition to the work of Teguise "for being up to the event it celebrates and for ensuring that the events have also taken place outside the municipality." "Teguise has an exceptional importance in the history of our islands, and I congratulate you for these 600 years of struggle to have a place in the world," added Valido on the stage.

On the other hand, the representative of Niebla, Laura Pichardo; and the guests from the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, Gustavo González (Las Piedras) and José Luis Falero (San José de Mayo), had the opportunity and the courtesy to address some cordial words to the residents of Teguise, whom they congratulated for this anniversary and extended their hand to continue with the relationship that they have resumed thanks to this warm tribute to the history and the crossroads of our ancestors.

The last recognition of the night and of the celebration itself, was given by the mayor of Teguise to each of the cultural associations of the municipality "for their role in the survival of traditional Canarian culture, for their generosity and dedication on the stages and their faithful response and dedication to the people of Teguise and its public", considered Betancort, who left for the end "the fairest recognition to three fundamental people in the project and execution of the commemorative program".

Francisco Hernández, as Official Chronicler; María Dolores Rodríguez (Maruchi), as director of the Historical Archive of Teguise; and María del Pino Fuentes, Coordinator of Events of the 600 years of History of Teguise, who received medals and signed in the Book of Honor, closing the page together with the mayor of Teguise, Oswaldo Betancort, to the most historic commemoration that the municipality has celebrated.