In two meetings held in Montevideo, one at the City Hall and another at the Sociedad Islas Canarias, Clavijo conveyed to Canarians and their descendants his intention to continue supporting Canarian emigration and its representative entities. «They are Uruguayans, but they are also Canarians,» stated the president, recalling that this community constitutes «a fundamental part of the Canary Islands».
During the events, part of a four-day official visit, Clavijo asserted that the encounters with the diaspora were among the most significant moments of his institutional agenda. «Meeting those who have kept the flame of Canarian identity alive in this country for 300 years is very moving,» he affirmed.
The president also highlighted the significant presence of young people at both meetings, which he described as surprising and hopeful. He explained that new generations continue to show interest in learning about their roots, connecting with relatives on the islands, and preserving the traditions inherited from their ancestors. «More than 8,000 kilometers from the Canary Islands, they remain attentive to everything happening in the archipelago,» he noted.
Clavijo cited the preservation of Canarian customs and traditions in Uruguay as an example of this deep-rooted connection. «They told me they still make recipes with gofio,» he indicated, adding that Canarian identity not only remains alive but «burns stronger than ever» three centuries after the arrival of the first island emigrants.
One of the events took place at the Intendencia de Montevideo with over a hundred attendees. Representatives from different generations of the Canarian community spoke, including Manuel Acuña, a first-generation emigrant, and Valentina Moalli, a descendant of Canarians who arrived in Uruguay from the 18th century.
“"Canary Islands are not just our roots. It is heritage, shared identity, and an attitude towards life"
During his stay in Uruguay, Clavijo also visited the Sociedad Islas Canarias de Montevideo, founded in 1928 and considered one of the most emblematic Canarian institutions in America. The organization conducts cultural, educational, and social activities aimed at preserving Canarian identity through music, dance, history, and community gatherings.
The reception for the president included a theatrical performance centered on the 'arrorró,' a traditional Canarian lullaby, as part of the Arrorró Uruguay project, an initiative funded by the Government of the Canary Islands to recognize the role of Canarian women in the founding and development of Montevideo.
Additionally, a special commemorative stamp from Correos Uruguayo was presented during the meeting, marking the tricentennial of the Uruguayan capital's founding by Canarian emigrants. The day concluded with musical performances and a recognition by the entity's president, Inmaculada Cedrés, of the regional executive's support for the Canarian community in the country.
“"nerve center of the Canarian soul in Montevideo"
Currently, around 2,500 Canarians and direct descendants of islanders reside in Uruguay, according to Spanish census data. The Government of the Canary Islands maintains various support programs for this community, including funding for socio-health services, high-cost medical treatments, surgical interventions, and aid for vulnerable individuals.
Furthermore, the regional executive finances the upkeep of the four recognized Canarian entities in Uruguay — the Sociedad Islas Canarias de Montevideo, the Asociación Buscando Raíces de Tala, the Asociación Canaria de Maldonado, and the Espacio Cultural Islas Canarias-Uruguay (Identidad Guanche) — and has allocated approximately 27,000 euros between 2023 and 2025 for improvement projects, equipment, and renovations for these associations.
The meetings with the Canarian community marked the end of Fernando Clavijo's institutional agenda in Uruguay. The official trip will now continue to Argentina, another country with deep historical ties to the Canary Islands due to the migratory movements of thousands of island families since the 18th century.
