The City Council of La Orotava has unanimously approved granting the XXIII Craftsmanship and Heritage Award Villa de La Orotava to the San José Celebration Association. This distinction recognizes the work of the carpenters' music band, unique in Spain, in preserving and disseminating the cultural, artisanal, and musical heritage linked to the municipality.
The award ceremony will take place on September 4, following the opening ceremony of the Pinolere Craftsmanship Fair, at 12:00 PM in the ethnographic venue. The fair will run until Sunday, September 7.
This recognition highlights the work carried out over forty years by the San José Association, which has kept alive a tradition linked to the carpentry trade and devotion to Saint Joseph, the patron saint of workers.
The history of the celebration dates back to 1986, when a local carpenter donated an image of Saint Joseph. The initiative grew, and in 1988, the Carpenters' Band of La Orotava was formed, composed exclusively of carpenter musicians, becoming the first and only band of its kind.
Throughout its history, the band has had several notable directors and has participated in concerts and musical gatherings. In 1992, it organized an exhibition on carpentry tools, and in 2005, it expanded its composition to include family members, becoming known as the Carpenters and Family Band.
Concerts dedicated to Saint Joseph have been held since 2005 at the Teobaldo Power Auditorium. In 2025, coinciding with the 40th anniversary, the concert took place at the Francisco Álvarez Abrante Auditorium.
The Craftsmanship and Heritage Award Villa de La Orotava annually recognizes those who contribute to conserving and promoting the traditions, trades, and cultural heritage of the municipality. The award to the San José Celebration Association honors its living legacy.
Since 2004, the City Council of La Orotava established this award to recognize work promoting craftsmanship and heritage. Previous recipients include various brotherhoods, artisans of different trades, mills, bakeries, shoemakers, and collectives such as beekeepers and timple players.
