Tunte puts the finishing touch on the Santiago Apóstol festivities with a moving tribute to its pastry chefs

 

The Department of Festivals and Events of the Tunte Town Council brought the 2026 Santiago Apóstol festivities to a close with a moving gala held in the town. This central event focused on recognizing the pastry chefs of Tunte , true guardians of the local culinary heritage, and the presentation of awards for the various contests and competitions organized during the festival program.

 

The event was graced by the presence of the mayor, Marco Aurelio Pérez ; the first deputy mayor, Alejandro Marichal ; and the councilor for Festivals and Events, Yilenia Vega , who joined the residents and actively participated in the awards ceremony. This institutional involvement reinforces the municipality's commitment to its traditions and its people.

 

A tribute to the pastry chefs: a sweet tradition in Tunte

 

One of the most significant moments was the collective tribute to the bakers of Tunte , women who have passed down traditional recipes linked to family and community celebrations from generation to generation. The recognition took the form of a video in which several local women shared memories, explained the family origins of their culinary knowledge, and demonstrated the preparation of typical products such as frangollo (a type of sweet bread) , fried buns, cakes, marzipan, cookies, and other traditional sweets.

 

Instead of individual awards, a joint tribute was chosen, directed both to the protagonists of the audiovisual and to all those women who have contributed to preserving this valuable gastronomic heritage.

 

Citizen participation in competitions and festive activities

 

The First Deputy Mayor, Alejandro Marichal, emphasized that the Santiago Apóstol festivities have once again demonstrated the tremendous involvement of the residents , not only by participating in each of the scheduled events but also by collaborating in their organization. According to Marichal, this year Tunte has come together even more to celebrate its patron saint festivities, strengthening the sense of community that makes these celebrations a benchmark for the entire municipality.

 

The gala also highlighted the traditional balcony decorating contest , an initiative that encouraged residents to decorate their homes during the festivities. The first prize went to facade number 8 (Carmen Santana Suárez), who received a thalassotherapy circuit for two; the second prize was awarded to Pino Dolores Santana (facade number 1), who received a dinner for two at the Grill El Refugio restaurant; while Leonor Santana Suárez won the third prize for facade number 6, receiving an exclusive selection of cosmetics and perfumes.

 

 

The traditional photography competition also played a prominent role during the closing ceremony of the Santiago Apóstol festivities in Tunte. The first prize was awarded to Dolores Herrera Santana for her work, " From My Window I See All the Roads That Lead to Tunte ." Second place went to Ángel María Santana Alonso for "La Laja in Tunte ," while the third prize was awarded to Aarón René Santana Martínez for "Tunte, Dawns in Celebration ."

 

 

In the sporting arena, the futsal tournament brought together numerous local teams. Inter Parralillo Fútbol Club took first place, followed by Los Labradores in second, and Los Machorros in third. Furthermore, Ancor González was recognized as the tournament's top scorer, highlighting the competitive level and the strong sporting commitment within the municipality.

 

 

Musical closing and final acknowledgments

 

The final day of festivities concluded with musical performances and shows for all ages. Highlights included the performances by the Mariachi Peleón group , featuring the vocals of Elías Uche ; the interactive show by magician Abel ; and the musical performance by Yeray Rodríguez , accompanied by Fernando García , trumpeter Estefan Ruano , and singers Luz Valerón and Tania Gil.

 

 

The Councillor for Festivals and Events, Yilenia Vega, expressed her satisfaction, stating that they had put the finishing touch on the festivities with the sweetest gesture, paying tribute to the pastry chefs, the true guardians of a tradition that forms part of their identity . Vega especially thanked the residents, community groups, artists, technical staff, and collaborating companies for their active participation, which made each scheduled activity possible.

 

This gala concludes a program packed with religious, cultural, sporting, and popular activities. Citizen involvement has been fundamental in preserving and promoting the Feast of St. James the Apostle in Tunte as a cultural landmark of the municipality.