The Mayor of Candelaria, Mari Brito, received a representation of the Guanches of Candelaria collective on Monday afternoon at the City Hall. The group, including Aníbal, Ruyman, and Aaron (representing stone, knife, and mencey), are the protagonists of the Guanche Ceremony. This event, held annually on August 14th, is one of the most symbolically significant moments of the Fiestas in honor of Our Lady of Candelaria. The meeting was also attended by the Councilor for Culture and Fiestas, Manuel González, and the Councilor for Institutional Relations, Francisco Pinto.
The reception served as a space for dialogue prior to the main event, where the collective's representatives shared their insights and explained the preparation process for this year's edition. Mayor Brito expressed her gratitude for the group's dedication, highlighting the emotion the ceremony evokes each year and their efforts to keep the town's history and identity alive.
“"You do not represent a history: you keep it alive. Thank you for not letting it be lost, and thank you for doing it with such dedication, year after year."
The Guanche Ceremony reenacts the encounter between the island's ancient inhabitants and the image of the Virgin of Candelaria, attracting thousands of people annually, including both locals and visitors from across the Canary Islands and beyond. Its staging involves months of prior work, rehearsals, and extensive community participation.
The Candelaria City Council reiterated its support for the collective and its commitment to continue working together to preserve and promote this tradition, which is considered an essential part of the municipality's identity.
