The Haría City Council has thanked everyone involved in developing a festive program that combined tradition, culture, music, and activities for all ages. Mala bid farewell yesterday, Thursday, to the Festivals in honor of Nuestra Señora de Las Mercedes 2026, after several days of activities that gathered residents and visitors of different ages in an atmosphere of coexistence and celebration.
The mayor of Haría, Alfredo Villalba, described the festival's outcome as "very positive," particularly because "the town once again highlighted its customs through a varied agenda." Villalba acknowledged the efforts of those who participated in the organization and the collaboration of municipal services. He emphasized the importance of these dates for preserving the identity of the municipality's towns, stating that "Mala has once again demonstrated the deep roots of its traditions and the value of having spaces that foster intergenerational encounters." He thanked all participants and collaborators for keeping this significant celebration alive.
The Councilor for Festivals, Alberto de León, highlighted the "collective effort" to bring the festive agenda to fruition, underscoring the "many hours of preparation and significant coordination work" behind each activity. He expressed gratitude to collaborators and municipal staff for their dedication.
The festivities included events for children and families, such as flag workshops, storytelling, and games. The initial days featured a surprise bingo and adult playback, followed by the highly anticipated popular romería (pilgrimage) accompanied by the Agrupación Tisalaya. Later, Son del Norte, Los Gurfines son los del Puerto, the parranda La Aldaba, and Son de Mar provided music for the traditional Baile del Romero (Pilgrim's Dance).
Gastronomy played a significant role during the Tapas Day, which included the communal preparation of rosettes, water mattresses, and a foam party. DJ Juan Hernández, Swing del Norte, Grupo Alegranza, and Grupo Arpegio provided musical accompaniment for this event, which concluded with an artistic gala.
The cultural and leisure offerings were expanded with candle and watercolor workshops, truco and ronda championships, and omelet and dessert contests. The dance schools Báilame, Daniel de la Rosa, and MT Dance presented various performances, while African Show surprised attendees with a juggling act. The children's playback allowed younger participants to showcase their creativity on stage, with an additional performance by Yoriel Cabrera Viñoly.
The celebration concluded on September 24th with a holy mass and the subsequent procession in honor of the patron saint, followed by a chocolate tasting that marked the end of the festivities.
