The Cabildo of Lanzarote presented this Thursday the official program for the tenth anniversary of the UNESCO Global Geopark Lanzarote and Chinijo Archipelago, a commemoration that will extend until December with more than a dozen scientific, informative, and cultural activities that will tour the island from north to south, under the slogan "Rofe a rofe, making way, creating a future."
The President of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort, highlighted that "this anniversary celebrates ten years of international recognition and in turn recognizes ten years of joint work between institutions, researchers and citizens to care for and disseminate a unique geological heritage in the world." Betancort stressed that Geopark "represents the alliance between science, education and territory, an example of how Lanzarote has transformed its volcanic origin into a hallmark that unites generations and municipalities."
For his part, the Geopark councillor, Samuel Martín, indicated that "Geopark represents the union between geology, nature, culture and community, a space of more than 2,500 square kilometers that encompasses the entire island of Lanzarote and the Chinijo Archipelago, formed by La Graciosa, Montaña Clara, Alegranza, Roque del Este and Roque del Oeste."
Martín explained that "here we work to preserve the natural heritage, educate new generations, and promote respectful tourism that benefits local communities."
Furthermore, the technician responsible for the Area, Elena Mateo, insisted that "this program is a journey through the most unique landscapes of Lanzarote and the Chinijo Archipelago, from the Caldera del Cuervo to La Graciosa, passing through El Jable, Famara, or the Tunnel of Atlantis. We wanted this tenth anniversary to be a complete experience, where each activity shows a different facet of the territory. We will have interpreted routes in emblematic enclaves, such as La Geria or the Riscos de Famara; scientific talks on volcanic risks or underwater ecosystems; and meetings that connect research with citizens."
Routes, cinema and outreach throughout the island
The commemorative program will begin on October 24 with the route ‘Geoparking the Caldera del Cuervo’, in the municipality of Yaiza, and will continue with a calendar of activities that combines science, nature, and outreach.
These include the conference Active Volcanic Islands: Natural Hazards and Opportunities for Sustainable Development, the series Chats with Science with talks on marine geology and anchialine ecosystems, the screening of the documentary Memories of the Volcano in Teguise, and the Magma, Wind and Water Conference with researchers from the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network.
There will also be routes through the Risco de Famara and El Jable, family activities in La Graciosa, and the meeting Lanzarote: Natural Laboratory and World Planetary Analogue, by the astrobiologist Jesús Martínez Frías, who will show the importance of the island as a model for space exploration.
The program will culminate on December 14 at the Farmer's Monument with the closing ceremony Rofe a rofe, a musical and participatory gathering to thank all the people and institutions that have contributed to the growth of the Geopark.
The UNESCO Global Geopark Lanzarote and Chinijo Archipelago, declared in 2015, encompasses the entire island territory and the northern islets, and is part of an international network of more than 200 geoparks that promote the protection of geological heritage, scientific research, and sustainable development of local communities.
