Image: Sergio Betancort
Yaiza took to the streets overflowing with joy to leave the fruit of their labor at the feet of the Virgen de Los Remedios, a gesture of solidarity that represents a great feeling of admiration and promotion of the countryside and its work, as highlighted by the town crier of the festivities, Berto Martín. Neighbors and visitors enthusiastically participated in the pilgrimage in honor of the holy patron saint on the eve of September 8, the town's Big Day.
The impressive sunset that could be seen in the south of Lanzarote embraced the walk of pilgrims accompanied by parrandas and folk groups. Sindo Morales' camels and the donkey led by its owner, Juan Lorenzo Tavío, led the pilgrimage. For the children it was especially fun to walk the entire pilgrimage on the animals, while the adults never tired of taking photos.
The Yaiza pilgrimage was not only radiant with joy, but also full of music and color. The La Peña de San Bartolomé Folk Group dazzled with its dance and costumes. The Güerma Cultural and Musical Group of Tías, the Rubicón Folk Group of Yaiza, which put aside the fatigue it brought from the Festival offered on Friday, the Timbayba Group of Tinajo and the Janubio parranderos, as well as improvised music groups that alternated the touch throughout the parade, also cheered, and in what way.
The pilgrimage also became a beautiful moment of integration in which everyone, known and strangers, shared local wine, gofio, fish, pork, pampering and countless homemade delicacies.
Many reasons to gather and offer to the Virgin. A neighbor from Playa Blanca, for example, confessed, with tears in her eyes, that she had never attended a pilgrimage, but this year she was present and dressed to thank the patron saint of Yaiza for the life of her son, who a few weeks ago had emerged unscathed from a terrible traffic accident.
And if a group carried the banner of joy, it was that of the elderly of Yaiza. Cared for by staff from the Social Dynamization Department of the City Council, the elderly, some sitting in their carraza, sang, danced and enjoyed themselves to the fullest. Upon arrival at the Plaza de Los Remedios, like the rest of the groups, the elderly left their offerings at the foot of the image of the Virgin, on the facade of the church. The mayoress of Yaiza, Gladys Acuña, and councilors of the municipal government made the last stretch of the pilgrimage on camels, getting off the animals the food offered to the holy patron saint.
In the Yaiza pilgrimage you could see the ponies 'Guante' and 'Pulga' of Juan José, a neighbor of San Bartolomé who signed up for the southern party, the carts of neighbors of Islote and Yaiza, the camels of Sindo Morales and also those of Pedro Acuña, and the boat cart of José Falcón from the town of Femés, among other participants.
The musical and dance groups offered their art to the Virgin. Upon arriving at the church, each of them sang and danced before the public that filled the surroundings of the temple. The poetess from Las Breñas, Benjamina Marrero, dedicated some heartfelt verses to the Virgin and Aquilino and Mateo, two neighbors from Playa Blanca, sang an isa.
Once the pilgrimage was over, the public was attentive to the election of the Yaiza 2013 children's and adult maga. Among the little ones, the one chosen by the jury was Dalia Pérez González, while Yaiza Santana Sicilia was imposed the band of first child lady and Irene Fontes Cedrés that of second child lady. In adults, Raquel Cobos Torres was chosen maga Yaiza, Dolores González de Ganzo, first lady, and Diana Medina Roger, second maga Yaiza 2013.
