The monument "The light that guides us", designed by master Juan Brito Martín in homage to the seven sailors murdered aboard the fishing boat "Cruz del Mar", was inaugurated this Thursday in Puerto Naos. This tragedy occurred on the coast of the Canarian-Saharan bank on November 28, 1978.
The act began with the blessing of the monument by the parish priest of the church of San Ginés, Miguel Hernández. The monument holds the image of the Virgen del Carmen inside. Subsequently, several children directed by Carmen Gloria Brito recited verses dedicated to each of the deceased sailors and an adult couple performed some folias and an emotional lullaby.
Then began the interventions with the deputy mayor of the Arrecife City Council, José Montelongo, the president of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, Pedro San Ginés, Juan Brito Martín, author of the monument, Luis Ibarra, president of the Port Authority, Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, survivor of the attack, and Carmelo Hernández, representative of the families of the deceased sailors.
Precisely, Carmelo Hernández, with broken words, read an emotional manifesto. The Hernández family was the most affected in this tragedy since they lost their father, brother, brother-in-law and uncle.The speeches were closed by the president of the Government of the Canary Islands, Paulino Rivero, who traveled to the island to be present at such an emotional event.
Afterwards, the unveiling of the commemorative plaque took place and, immediately afterwards, the floral offering was carried out, depositing a wreath on each of the points of the star on which the monument stands.
Music for the event
The first to deposit the wreaths were the president of the Government of the Canary Islands together with the president of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, followed by the mayors and representatives of the seven municipalities. Alicia Páez was also present representing La Graciosa.
Next, the Los Buches marine band relieved some tension from the afternoon by performing two marine songs. The event was closed by the popular music group Acatife, which recorded its first album in 1986 dedicated to the sailors of the "Cruz del Mar". Federico Padrón, founding member of Acatife, presented the survivor Miguel Ángel Rodríguez with a painting with the cover of the album and signed by each of the members.
Many family members and neighbors of the deceased sailors attended the event, including Eusebio Rodríguez, another of the survivors, as well as numerous public from different parts of the island.
