The Teguise City Council commemorated this Friday the 40th anniversary of the Villa Market with an emotional institutional event at the Timple House Museum, in which tribute was paid to the mayors and public officials who have been at the head of the municipality in the last four decades, recognizing their involvement in the growth and consolidation of one of the main economic, social and cultural engines of Lanzarote.
During the ceremony, former mayors Dimas Martín, José Dimas Martín, Juan Pedro Hernández, Oswaldo Betancort and the current mayor, Olivia Duque, were recognized for their work in the defense and development of the Villa Market, which has been able to grow, reinvent itself and remain a commercial and identity reference for Teguise and Lanzarote. Likewise, the work of different fundamental personalities for the development of the market since its inception was recognized, such as Matías Curbelo, founder together with Dimas, Suso Cabrera and Antonio Cabrera.
In her speech, the mayor expressed her gratitude to all the public officials who, with their dedication and effort, have contributed to consolidating the Market as a benchmark for tourism and local development. She also had words of recognition for the residents, as well as for all those responsible for the stalls, the true protagonists of this space that gives life and energizes the municipality every week.
The former mayors of Teguise agreed that the market has been able to reinvent itself, adapt to the new times and remain a space for life, economy and conejera identity. In addition, they recalled that the Teguise City Council has always promoted modernization, control and organization measures to guarantee a safe and quality experience for both vendors and the attending public. "We have been able to adapt the Villa Market to residents and visitors with actions to reorganize spaces, security plans, digitization of procedures and the reinforcement of support staff, to make it one of the most important in the Canary Islands," they emphasized.
This institutional act of tribute to the mayors of the last four decades is added to other acts that the Teguise Consistory has prepared for the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Villa Market. On Sunday, July 27, there will be various activities aimed at all audiences.
Commercial and cultural reference in the Canary Islands
Since its creation in 1985 with just twenty stalls installed in the Plaza de los Leones, the Teguise Villa Market has established itself as one of the most important in the Canary Islands, both for its volume and its projection. Today it houses more than 350 active points of sale every Sunday, with a diverse offer that ranges from local crafts to gastronomy, textile products, ecological products, author's objects and souvenirs, becoming an essential appointment for residents and visitors.
"Its success lies in the quantity and variety of products, and in its ability to adapt to the times without losing its essence. The market has been able to evolve from a local market to a dynamizing space for the island's economy and a powerful focus of tourist attraction, reinforcing Teguise's positioning as a heritage and cultural destination," explained Olivia Duque.
Throughout its forty years of history, the Villa Market has woven its own identity that goes beyond commerce, becoming a living manifestation of Canarian culture, a meeting place between generations and a symbol of Teguise's commitment to sustainable local development. The 40th anniversary of the Teguise Villa Market is also an opportunity to reflect on the future of this emblematic Sunday event, which the City Council will continue to promote as a living space for meeting, tradition and development for the municipality and for the entire island.