The City Council of Granadilla de Abona, through its Youth Department, celebrated the 16th edition of the New Talents Festival on August 9th. This initiative, a staple of the municipality's summer programming, transformed the Plaza de El Médano into a stage for the creativity and talent of Canary Islands' youth.
The festival, which began at 8:00 PM, was open to residents of the Canary Islands aged between 12 and 30 years who practice their artistic activity as amateurs. The included categories were solo artist, musical group, dance, and ‘Show Your Talent’, aiming to provide a platform for participation and promotion for young artists.
Mayor José Domingo Regalado highlighted the importance of such initiatives for young people, emphasizing their "enormous creativity, enthusiasm, and capacity." He stated the City Council's commitment to creating spaces for expression and for young people to be protagonists in the cultural and social life of the municipality. He congratulated all participants and awardees for their "effort, preparation, and enthusiasm."
For her part, the Councilor for Youth, Raquel Morales, emphasized the festival's consolidation after sixteen editions, expressing pride in its growth and its role in offering opportunities to young people across the Archipelago. "Every year we discover new voices, artists, dancers, and proposals that demonstrate that the Canary Islands have immense young talent," she stated. She thanked all registered participants and the work done to make the event possible, reaffirming the department's commitment to activities that foster participation and artistic development.
The festival awarded a total of 4,900 euros in prizes. In each of the four categories, first-place winners received 600 euros and a Golden Granadilla, second place received 400 euros and a Silver Granadilla, and third place received 200 euros and a Bronze Granadilla. An additional special prize of 100 euros was given for the best original song. The requirement that participants do not have a commercially released album or professionally practice their artistic discipline ensures the festival's focus on promoting new talent.
In the solo category, Roberta Cardinale (22 years old, from Granadilla de Abona) won the Golden Granadilla. Silver went to Kiara Comellas (20 years old, from Arona), and Bronze to Amanda Brito (18 years old, from Santa Cruz).
In the dance category, gold was awarded to DYVE (Vianney Benedico, 12; Daniela Pérez, 15; Yudit Garcell, 17, from La Laguna and Santa Cruz). Silver went to DUALITY (Aitor González, 15; Luíday Martín, 16, from Guía de Isora and Los Cristianos). Bronze was awarded to BLU DANCE ACADEMY (Alexandra Pilero, 16; Naedia Morales, 14; Ana Laura González, 14; Anita Pérez, 15; Martina Hernández, 13; Sophia de Abreu, 14, from Granadilla de Abona, San Miguel, and Arico).
In the ‘Show Your Talent’ category, DOU SOUL MATE (Gabriela Garit, 21; Juan Carlos Bicet, 26, both from Granadilla de Abona) took gold. Silver was awarded to Naiara Díaz (15 years old, from Ingenio, Gran Canaria), and Bronze to César Ángel (30 years old, from Santa Cruz).
In the musical group category, SAMIRA Y WILDER (Samira Rosabel, 16; Wilder Izarra, 19, both from Granadilla de Abona) won gold. Silver went to ASTRA MUSIC (Kilyan González, 15; Atenea Ramos, 13, both from La Laguna). Bronze was awarded to LEMON SEEDS (Eyra Sánchez, 19; Albany Paz, 17, both from Granadilla de Abona).
The City Council of Granadilla de Abona congratulated all participants and awardees, reaffirming its commitment to youth and the promotion of emerging artistic talent in the Canary Islands.
