Tunte is moved by the opening speech of Antonio Betancor Álvarez, a journey to the memory and roots of the town

 

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Memory, traditions and the deep connection with the upper area marked this Friday the opening proclamation of the Festivities in Honor of Santiago Apóstol of Tunte 2026 , starring the teacher and mathematician Antonio Betancor Álvarez before neighbors, family members and municipal representatives.

 

 

With a warm, heartfelt narrative, brimming with memories, the town crier took the audience on a journey through the history of Tunte and the old pilgrimages that once filled the mountain paths. He recalled the pilgrims who descended through the Paso de La Plata, those who arrived from Cercados de Araña, Ayacata, or Tejeda, and the traditional stops at Cruz Grande and Guilgay, where music and dancing accompanied the journey to the village.

 

Antonio Betancor also reflected on the transformation of the festivities over time and the changes experienced by society. With the humor that was present throughout much of his speech, the town crier reminded everyone that today's celebrations cannot be the same as those of yesteryear and even joked about artificial intelligence and the possibility that his proclamation might be one of the last ever written by hand.

 

Born in Cruz Grande on July 13, 1943 , Antonio Betancor Álvarez is the third of fifteen children born to Antonio and Otilia, natives of La Plata and Cruz Grande. During his speech, he recalled a childhood marked by the hardships of the post-war period and the struggles of families in the upper part of town. “I was a child of the post-war era, where hunger and the scarcity of everything material gave us a sad life with no future,” he told the audience.

 

He began his studies at the one-room schoolhouse in La Plata. The town crier himself recalled learning his multiplication tables, catechism, and verbs while tending the goats. Later, he completed his vocational high school studies in Telde, undertaking long journeys from the mountain peak to continue his education.

 

Although his true calling was to study medicine and become a cardiologist, his family's financial circumstances forced him to abandon that dream and pursue teaching instead. He completed his degree in three years and passed the competitive exams, beginning a long and distinguished career in education. Later, he furthered his studies in the sciences, earning diplomas in mathematics and English.

 

Throughout his career, he worked as a teacher in various educational centers in Gran Canaria, including Doctoral, San Fernando, and El Tablero, where he made significant contributions for sixteen years. His professional journey also took him to the Netherlands, where he began his studies in Political Science before returning to Gran Canaria.

 

True to his restless spirit and lifelong passion for learning, Antonio Betancor is currently continuing his studies at the Senior University, focusing on the culture and history of the Canary Islands. During his opening address, he proudly recalled that, at 82, he remains connected to the university and to knowledge.

 

One of the most personal moments of the evening came with the remembrance of the teachers and people who shaped his childhood and youth. Antonio Betancor dedicated words to his teacher, Ana Sánchez , to Bartolomé Febles, and to numerous other teachers associated with Tunte, highlighting the role they played in the education of generations of residents from the upper part of the town.

 

He also recalled the lives of priests, municipal officials, and residents who were part of the town's daily life. With anecdotes full of humor and emotion, the town crier crafted a narrative in which local history was constantly interwoven with his own personal experiences.

 

The town crier also highlighted the importance of Tunte as a meeting point for residents of the various hamlets and neighborhoods. Drawing on the work of historian Santiago Cazorla, he reminisced about those Sundays when families would come to the village to attend Mass, run errands, shop, and share a day together. Antonio Betancor concluded his remarks with a wish for Tunte and its residents: that Saint James would bring “another good year, filled with peace,” that empathy would increase, and that “lovelessness” would be banished.

 

The Councillor for Festivals and Events, Yilenia Vega , thanked the town crier for his words and highlighted the emotion of a narrative crafted from a lifetime of knowledge and experience. “ Antonio, on behalf of the Department of Festivals and Events and the San Bartolomé de Tirajana Town Council, I want to thank you for the magnificent proclamation we have just heard. It was a moving journey through the history of Tunte, told by someone who has lived it and knows it like few others, ” she noted, adding that “ your memories have allowed us to see Tunte through the eyes of someone who has lived it all their life, and that is, without a doubt, the best gift a town crier could give us .”

 

At the end of the event, the Councillor for Festivities and Events and the Mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Marco Aurelio Pérez, presented Antonio Betancor with prints by Pepe Dámaso depicting scenes of the municipality in recognition of his career and his participation as the herald of the Santiago Apóstol Festival of Tunte 2026.

 

“ For a lifetime dedicated to teaching, culture, and preserving the memory of this municipality, we want to present you with this plaque as a token of the affection and gratitude of all of San Bartolomé de Tirajana. Thank you for moving us tonight and for reminding us that traditions remain alive as long as there are people who know how to tell them like you. Happy Feast of St. James ,” said Yilenia Vega.

Mayor Marco Aurelio Pérez highlighted Antonio's work not only as a teacher but also for his connection with the people and traditions of Tunte.

 

To conclude, the mayor officially inaugurated the Tunte Festival in honor of Saint James, which continues this weekend with some of its most traditional events. This Saturday, the Descent of Saint James the Younger will take place , starting at 20:00 p.m. , from the Camino de Santiago El Chico to the Plaza de Santiago. The image will be accompanied by folk music groups and dancers from El Hierro. At 22:00 p.m. , the Plaza de Santiago will host another edition of the Tenderetunte , with performances by the folk groups Kal y Canto, Merita la Pena, and La Arrancadilla . On Sunday, starting at 18:00 p.m. , the program continues with a Children's Afternoon in the Plaza Pública de Santiago, featuring face painting, bead crafts, and inflatable attractions.