The Cabildo of Lanzarote held this Wednesday the II Lanzarote and La Graciosa Senior Gala, an emotional gathering that brought together seniors, family members, representatives of associations and social groups from the island at the Farmer's Monument. The event, organized by the Senior and Intergenerational Relations Area, was attended by the President of the Canary Islands Government, Fernando Clavijo; the President of the Cabildo, Oswaldo Betancort; the Councilor of the Area, Nori Machín; as well as mayors of the island and a broad representation of councilors of the Island Corporation, among other local authorities.
During the gala, the work and commitment were recognized of people, associations, professionals and projects that, with their dedication, contribute to inclusion, solidarity and active aging in Lanzarote and La Graciosa.
The President of the Cabildo, Oswaldo Betancort, stated that "this gala is a collective tribute to those who have known how to sustain the identity and character of our island. Each story, each award winner reminds us that age does not diminish the ability to dream, to contribute, and to continue building. They are living memory and, at the same time, the greatest wealth of this land."
For her part, the Councilor for the Elderly Area, Nori Machín, emphasized that "with this gala we are once again placing our elderly at the center of social policies, listening to their needs and promoting their active participation in community life. We want every senior citizen of Lanzarote and La Graciosa to know that this island recognizes their efforts and that their voice is essential to building a more inclusive and grateful society."
The President of the Canary Islands Government, Fernando Clavijo, who presented the main award, emphasized that "recognizing our elders is not a symbolic gesture, it is a moral duty and a commitment to the present and future of the Canary Islands." Clavijo congratulated the Cabildo of Lanzarote and its president, Oswaldo Betancort, for organizing an event that, he said, "has become a benchmark in the public recognition of those who, with their effort, work, and generosity, have built the society we enjoy today."
Winners of this second edition
The ceremony, which was enlivened by the voice of the Canarian singer Miriam Reyes, in addition to the Senior Citizen of the Year award, included other distinctions that recognized the work and commitment of island groups, professionals and projects:
- Senior Citizen of the Year: Mr. Antonio Fernández Casanova, for his literary career, his community commitment, and his life dedicated to transmitting values through words and example.
- Senior Citizens Association: Association of Friends of the Elderly of Altavista, for offering a meeting place, support, and community that combats loneliness and strengthens neighborhood ties in Arrecife.
- Best Active Aging Project: Torneo de Bola Canaria (Canarian Ball Tournament), which keeps alive a tradition that combines sport, health, culture, and intergenerational unity, demonstrating that age is never a limit for activity and coexistence.
- Caregiver of the Year: Doña María del Mar Hernández Páez, for her dedication to caring for the elderly with vocation, professionalism, and tenderness, turning every gesture into an act of dignity and love.
- Best Senior Citizen Care Center: San Roque Residence and Day Center, in Tinajo, with close, innovative, and quality care, where each resident is accompanied with pioneering projects and an exemplary human touch.
- Professional of the Year: Doctor Elisa Corujo Rodríguez, for more than four decades of dedication that laid the foundations of geriatrics in Lanzarote, transforming care for the elderly and training new generations of professionals.
- Intergenerational Project: Fundación Canaria Flora Acoge, an initiative for exchange between young and old people since 2018, creating shared experiences that combat loneliness and strengthen the community.
- Solidarity Award: Doña Ana Rodríguez Arango (Sister Ana), in recognition of her work, her social commitment, and the creation of a home for people without resources through the NGO Calórica Fe, becoming a beacon of hope and dignity.
- Inclusivity Award: Lanzarote Film Festival and the Animation Service of the Insular Hospital, for giving prominence to the elderly as creators and artists, transforming cinema into a tool for inclusion, creativity, and memory.