What do we Canary Islanders have that makes us need to shout our belonging as a timeless, intergenerational anthem? Los Sabandeños already paved the way, uniting the Canary Islands like never before. My mother and my aunt repeat it to Elfidio every chance they get: for the unity of the Canary Islands, they and Fred Olsen were the ones who did the most at the beginning. And how right they are. Undoubtedly, there are now new role models that we all know well.
But… what is it about the Canary Islands that makes us cling to this land like limpets, much more than just for sun and beach? In my opinion, there are several factors.
A territory often forgotten by a central State (whoever governs, does so thousands of kilometers away) that struggles to understand our geographical complexity and in every sense… ethnicities, culture... Forgotten even by the customs system itself, which doesn't hesitate to say "we don't ship to the Canary Islands" or "we triple your costs." HA. Territorial equality, they said…
And that's even though we are an ultra-peripheral region of the European Union. Bureaucracy doesn't quite understand the Canarian reality on countless issues.
Also, the firm conviction of the delicate paradise we have in our hands, which requires care and a lot of attention, like any fragmented territory: 8 islands and several islets that most of the time shine naturally.
And another truth: "we wouldn't move even if we were drunk," while half the world: Europe, part of America and Africa wants to move here. Spoiler: there's no room (or house) for so many people here. We don't all fit, not even when drunk.
I wouldn't move even if I were drunk. It's the perfect song of those who feel they are drowning when they can't see the sea. Literally.
And perhaps the point will come when the move will have to be made by those who only see the Canary Islands to get drunk on sun and beach, without feeling a sense of belonging.
The big question is: would you love the Canary Islands if it rained all day, with sweltering dust storms, with not-so-good seasons and continuous overcrowding from north to south? I have a clear answer. The Canarian would still not move, not even if drunk.
Law of residence NOW.
OH MOM Tricolor flag…. With 8 green stars, with 8 green stars… Oh Mom!