Dozens of families gathered in the Plaza de la Candelaria in Ingenio to enjoy a morning dedicated to reviving popular games and native sports of the Canary Islands. The event, part of the 31st International Folklore Festival Villa de Ingenio, aimed to reconnect younger generations with the forms of entertainment of the past, where imagination and company were the only requirements.
Attendees could see and participate in activities such as spinning tops, glass marbles, tug-of-war, pimbas, tiraderas, and handkerchief games. These activities shared the spotlight with the laughter of children, who discovered how previous generations entertained themselves before the digital age, guided by their parents and grandparents.
The day also included playful activities from Puerto Rico, this edition's guest country, which surprised attendees with their similarities to historical Canarian games, such as spinning tops and marbles. The program was rounded out with face painting, inflatables, and traditional rides on a Canarian donkey.
A space of particular interest was dedicated to the Canarian Stick Fighting (Lucha del Garrote Canario). Samuel Suárez, vice-president of the Canarian Stick Fighting Federation, explained the recovery process of this discipline, which dates back to testimonies from shepherds and Canarian emigrants in Cuba. Suárez highlighted the heritage value and artisanal effort involved in crafting each stick.
The importance of offering intergenerational leisure alternatives was defended by the general secretary of the European Association of Traditional Games and Sports. He emphasized that the goal is to promote shared play, where parents and grandparents teach the rules to children, fostering interaction between different generations.
The day was marked by the image of elders teaching youngsters how to spin a top, play 'la rana' (frog game), or play marbles, demonstrating the enduring appeal of simple games in sparking enthusiasm. This fifth edition of the Children's Festival of Traditions reaffirms the role of play in transmitting cultural heritage.
Native sports will continue on July 23rd at the ‘El Chiquero’ Wrestling Ground in Los Molinillos starting at 10:00 AM. Later, at 11:30 AM, in the Plaza de los Molinillos, the activity ‘Come dance with the festival groups’ will take place, where participants from the 31st edition of the International Folklore Festival of Ingenio will teach traditional dances from their respective countries.
