Tradition, flavor, and Canarian charm come together in El Poblado to celebrate San Fernando and Canary Islands Day.

The town of Maspalomas once again became the heart of the popular celebration on the occasion of the Saint Ferdinand's Day and the Canary Islands Day, a festive day that brought together thousands of people around devotion, tradition, and typical Canarian cuisine.

 

The day began with a nod to traditions, especially to the recreational and sporting activities that are part of the Archipelago's cultural legacy. Children and adults enjoyed participating in Canarian wrestling, teje, sack races and shepherd's jump., creating a festive and family-friendly atmosphere rooted in local identity. These activities, organized in collaboration with neighborhood groups and municipal staff, succeeded in creating an intergenerational space that highlighted play as a tool for cultural transmission.

 

Already at noon, the traditional popular grill house, where they were distributed More than 1.000 kilos of mackerel from Arguineguín, 120 kilos of wrinkled potatoes, 100 liters of mojo and 50 kilos of gofio. All of this was carefully prepared by more than 30 volunteers, residents of the El Poblado neighborhood, who together with their children have kept alive this generational legacy that dates back more than forty years of history.

 

 

From early morning, the smell of firewood and grilled fish filled the air around the San Fernando Primary School, where residents and visitors lined up to enjoy this traditional lunch. The day was marked by the high citizen participation, more than 2.500 people who did not want to miss this eagerly awaited event, which each year consolidates itself as one of the most authentic events on the municipal festive calendar.

 

La Councilor for Celebrations and Events of the San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council, Yilenia VegaHe wanted to personally express his gratitude for "the dedication, commitment, and hospitality with which the volunteers prepare for this celebration, demonstrating that the power of our traditions lies in our hands, in our kitchens, in our streets, and above all, in the hearts of those who keep them alive." He also highlighted the role of generational renewal, emphasizing that "the involvement of sons and daughters guarantees the continuity of this intangible heritage."

 

The councilor also recalled the work of Suso Guerra, on the first anniversary of his death, “a much-loved resident of the neighborhood who for decades was a key player in organizing this celebration.”

 

The event also featured a lively Solaje festival by Paco Guedes, which transformed the surroundings into a large open-air dance floor, where traditional music and the desire to party were not lacking.

 

Before the big barbecue, as tradition dictates, the Mass and Procession in honor of Saint Ferdinand 'El Chico', patron saint of Maspalomas. The procession, composed of the images of San Fernando and the Virgin of Carmen, toured the main streets of El Poblado accompanied by the Municipal Corporation. The solemnity of the act was accompanied by the Little Stephanie drum and bugle band and the Isleña Band, who They marked the passage of the bearers of the religious images, amid applause, petals and prayers.

During the Mass, the Word was commented on by the Archpriest of the South and parish priest of San Nicolás de Bari in Sardina, Samuel Rubio, accompanied in the songs by the Parochial ChoirAt the end of communion, the soprano Judith Pezoa gave an emotional rendition of Ave Maria by William Gómez dedicated to the Virgin, a gesture that was received with great affection by those present and especially appreciated by the Parish of San Fernando.

 

The celebration of this day has a double dimension: on the one hand, religious devotion to the local patron saint, and on the other, the sense of belonging and identity as a Canarian people, coinciding with Canary Islands Day. "It is, without a doubt, a day for neighbors, family members, and visitors to come together, sharing food, music, and memories, strengthening the community ties that give meaning to these festivities," concluded Yilenia Vega.