Saturday, September 12th, will be a focal point in Mancha Blanca with the celebration of the Popular Pilgrimage and the subsequent Romero Dance, key events of the Festivities of Nuestra Señora de Los Dolores. Hundreds of pilgrims, music groups (parrandas), and associations are expected to accompany the carts arriving from various municipalities of Lanzarote and other Canary Islands to present their offerings to the Virgin.
The President of the Cabildo of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, Oswaldo Betancort, highlighted the significance of this celebration for the entire island, emphasizing inter-administrative collaboration and funding through the FDCAN to sustain traditions and offer new activities. The Vice President, María Jesús Tovar, underscored the role of these funds in supporting events that benefit the citizens, such as this patronal festival, and in preserving Canarian identity.
The Minister of Culture, Jesús Machín Tavío, noted that the Pilgrimage and the Romero Dance are pivotal moments that transform Mancha Blanca into a meeting point, reaffirming the Cabildo's commitment to the cultural and popular dimension of the festivities, including folklore and offerings for younger audiences.
The Popular Pilgrimage will feature participants from other islands, including the Folkloric Group Los Cebolleros (Gran Canaria), the Folkloric Association La Oliva (Fuerteventura), the Folkloric Association Aduares (La Palma), and the Folkloric Group Sabinosa (El Hierro), who will perform after the Nanino Díaz Cutillas Festival.
Following the pilgrimage, the Romero Dance will feature music from Polvajera, Pa'Lante (Gran Canaria), local groups Tinasoria and Son del Norte, and the ensemble Pal Porrón. Attendees are encouraged to wear traditional attire.
Four events during the festivities are co-financed by the FDCAN: the inaugural proclamation, the XXXVI Nanino Díaz Cutillas Festival, the Romero Dance, and the Merengazo Joven. These events also benefit from the collaboration of the Tinajo City Council.
In light of the pilgrimage, a special traffic regulation and road closure plan has been implemented across the island's network to ensure the safety of thousands of pilgrims. The Minister of Public Works, Jacobo Medina, stressed the priority of road safety in collaboration with the Consorcio de Seguridad y Emergencias de Lanzarote.
Specific traffic diversions and closures are detailed for various roads, including the LZ-20, LZ-30, LZ-46, LZ-56 (with exclusive passage for public transport), LZ-58, LZ-67, and LZ-409, with scheduled times from Saturday, September 12th, through Sunday, September 13th.
