Southern Lanzarote is celebrating four months ahead of schedule with the Fiestas de Los Remedios in Yaiza. The group Rancho de Pascuas de Yaiza, invited by the City Council, will give the opening speech this Friday, August 28th. The ensemble, currently comprising 25 members, commemorates 55 years of musical activity, an event filled with excitement for its members and the beloved locals who cherish this deeply rooted Canarian tradition.
The opening ceremony will begin at 8:00 PM in the Plaza de Los Remedios. For those unable to attend in person, the event will be streamed live on the municipal YouTube channel and featured on the homepage of www.yaiza.es. The history of the Rancho de Pascuas de Yaiza dates back to 1971, initiated by the then parish priest Antonio Parrilla, along with a group of local youths and others from neighboring towns.
“"The Rancho de Yaiza is an example of unity and intergenerational coexistence, an example of commitment to one of the great traditions we have in the Canary Islands, and especially in Lanzarote, the island that maintains the most ranchos in the Archipelago."
In 2006, the Rancho de Yaiza and twelve other Canarian ranchos were awarded the Gold Medal of the Government of the Canary Islands for their efforts in preserving and promoting this rich Christmas musical-religious expression. Mayor Óscar Noda, a former member of the Rancho, highlighted the group's significance: “The Rancho de Pascuas has always been dedicated to safeguarding the traditional sounds and songs of Yaiza, being an essential accompaniment to the inauguration of the municipality's nativity scene, which is the most traditional and visited in Lanzarote. The celebration of its 55th anniversary at the Remedios festivities is a significant event for our town.” Councilor for Festivals, Daniel Medina, added: “Lanzarote and its visitors are invited to participate in the Remedios celebrations, so we open our hearts to welcome everyone.”
The weekend promises to be eventful in Yaiza. Following the opening speech, the Festival Rubicón will take place on Friday, where the host group will share the stage with soloists and couples from other Lanzarote ensembles for a night dedicated to Canarian culture. On Saturday the 29th, the day continues with the traditional offering pilgrimage, inviting participants from across the island to join a procession through the town's streets starting at 6:00 PM. That same afternoon will feature the election of the 'magas' and 'magos' (festival queens and kings) and a night of 'parrandas' (traditional music groups).
As a new addition, Sunday, August 30th, at 12:30 PM, will see the 'autos locos' (crazy cars) race around the Plaza de la Alameda. This test of ingenuity and speed will feature 11 handmade, motorless vehicles competing on a 500-meter course. The festivities will extend until September 9th, with the main day on the 8th, including a solemn mass, procession, and a concert by the group Efecto Pasillo. The full program is available at www.yaiza.es.
