The municipality of La Guancha is gearing up to honor, once again, the Virgen del Rosario, one of the oldest and most deeply rooted devotions in the town, with a history spanning over four centuries. The poster for the 2026 program was presented at the Iglesia de El Dulce Nombre de Jesús by the parish priest, Fabián Luis; the mayor, Alejandro Herrera; and the Councillor for Festivities, Alejandro Hernández.
The main novelty of this year's program will arrive on Saturday, October 10th. After the procession, upon arrival at the square, there will be a theatrical reenactment of the Allegorical Act of the Battle of Lepanto. The performance, by the company Sol y Sombra, will allow for the incorporation of a theatrical recreation into the traditional Battle of the Ships, linked to the history of the Battle of Lepanto and the devotion to the Virgen del Rosario.
Devotion to the Rosary has been part of La Guancha's history for centuries. Historical documents reflect the deep roots of this tradition among the residents, who even had chapels dedicated to the Rosary in their own homes. The Battle of the Ships, revived in 2003 by the La Naval Cultural Association in collaboration with the La Guancha City Council, symbolically recreates the Christian victory in the Battle of Lepanto of 1571 and has become one of the most anticipated moments of the festivities.
The program will begin on Wednesday, October 7th at 6:30 PM at the Iglesia de El Dulce Nombre de Jesús with the traditional Triduum in honor of the Virgen del Rosario, officiated by Fabián Luis and accompanied by the parranda El Perenkén Guanchero. Following this, the 31st Poetic Recital will be held with the participation of the Asociación de Poetas Uni-Verso.
On Thursday, October 8th, and Friday, October 9th, at 5:30 PM, the communal prayer of the Holy Rosary and the corresponding Eucharist will take place.
On Saturday, October 10th, at 6:00 PM, the Solemn Eucharist will be held, accompanied by the choir San Andrés y Santa Mónica de Los Realejos. Afterwards, the musical group La Esperanza will parade from Plazoleta Ángeles Machado to the Church, followed by a procession along the usual route. At the end of the procession, the square will host the traditional Allegorical Act of the Battle of Lepanto, which this year adds the theatrical reenactment of the history linked to the Battle of the Ships by Sol y Sombra.
The organization of these events is made possible through the collaboration of the parish of El Dulce Nombre de Jesús, the cultural association La Naval, and the Festivities department of the La Guancha City Council.
