The Pueblo Canario, a regular stage for traditional songs and melodies every Sunday for seven decades, will temporarily cease its folklore activity during the month of August. This decision, made by the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Council, marks a pause in an event that had only been interrupted previously by the covid-19 pandemic and a bidding issue in the summer of 2025. Performances will resume in September.
The show, held between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM, usually features the folklore groups San Cristóbal, Roque Nublo, Chemida, and Poliguanches. Although official confirmation from the City Council has not been possible, Matías Delgado Tejera, president of Poliguanches, suggests the suspension might be related to a break for the same contractor who also performs on alternate Saturdays at the Plaza de España.
Delgado Tejera speculates that the purpose of the pause could be to give a rest to residents in the Mesa y López area, who sometimes perceive the music as noise. However, he acknowledges that this measure leaves a significant number of elderly people without their usual activity for the month. Therefore, he proposes that for future years, staggered holidays should be considered to maintain continuous activity.
The San Cristóbal Folklore Group expresses regret over the temporary interruption, stating their willingness to continue with their performances. While they consider the possibility that the pause is due to a holiday period or an anticipated lower audience turnout, they insist on the importance of maintaining traditions. "If it is a place where there is folklore all year round, there should be folklore all year round," they state.
Alberto Alejandro Benítez, president of the Federation of Folklore Groups of Gran Canaria, suggests that the decision might be influenced by a potential decrease in audience numbers. He emphasizes the need to promote folklore as a "source of wealth" for Canarian culture.
Delgado recalls the groups' strong commitment to preserving traditions, even performing without payment in the past when the City Council and the Cabildo halted activities. He points out that the continuity of these activities depends on "political will," hoping that the current involvement of the folklore councilor will be maintained in the future.
