Yilenia Vega: "It's an honor to inaugurate these festivities with a proclamation that connects us with the living history of this municipality and the pride of our roots."
Manolo Santos: "I didn't come to tell my story, but rather that of a people who have been walking for centuries with faith, memory, and dignity."
PROGRAM OF THE FESTIVALS OF SANTIAGO THE APOSTLE
The Church of San Bartolomé de Tirajana witnessed the official start of the festivities in honor of Saint James the Apostle and Saint Bartholomew this Friday with a proclamation by Manolo Santos López, a resident of Tunte and a leading figure in the recovery of the municipality's cultural and religious heritage. With a measured voice and vivid memory, Santos recounted the history, traditions, and emotions that have shaped the Tirajana soul.
The event began with remarks from the Councilor for Celebrations and Events, Yilenia Vega, who expressed her joy at seeing the church packed once again to kick off a festivity "that speaks of tradition, roots, and, above all, community." Vega highlighted the figure of the town crier as someone who "was not only born in this town, but has lived it and continues to carry it within him." She emphasized that his speech would not simply be a personal account, but a collective evocation: "Manolo isn't here today to tell us our story. He's here to tell us the story of a town that will recognize itself in his words and be moved by his memory."
Santos began by humbly recalling his roots: "I don't come to tell you about my life, but to pay tribute to the land, the traditions, and the history of this people where I was born and to whom I remain connected until the day I die." With these words, he opened a sermon that was more than a speech: it was a living evocation of the soul of Tunte.
Throughout his speech, he reviewed with rigor and passion the historical milestones that have marked San Bartolomé de Tirajana since pre-Hispanic times, highlighting the role of Tunte as an aboriginal spiritual center and a key enclave in the conquest of Gran Canaria. He recalled the battle of August 24, 1479, in which the Castilians, invoking Saint Bartholomew, suffered a resounding defeat in Tirajana, a fact that would later justify the apostle's election as the municipality's patron saint.
The town crier also emphasized the heritage importance of the church where the ceremony was held, one of the seven baptismal fonts on the island and the only one in the Canary Islands dedicated to three apostles: Saint Bartholomew, Saint James, and Saint John. "This church is not only the center of our devotion, but also of our identity," he stated, while calling for greater protection for unique elements such as the Cuadro de Ánimas (Picture of Souls) and the stained-glass windows depicting the churches that emerged from this parent parish.
![[Img # 20565]](https://maspalomas24h.com/upload/images/07_2025/5918_maspalomas24h.jpeg)
With emotion, Santos reminisced about childhood experiences: cattle fairs, sack races, the devotion of those who were baptized on their knees, the taste of chili liqueur, and the first screenings at the parish cinema. “We were happy and didn't know it. Those times, though difficult, left their mark on all of us,” he said, drawing the unwavering support of the assembled audience.
In the final part of his address, the town crier addressed the authorities in attendance, calling for concrete measures to prevent the depopulation of the mountainous areas and promote the sustainable development of the historic center. Among his proposals, he highlighted the need to improve infrastructure, facilitate access to Tunte, rehabilitate municipal spaces, and, above all, promote the Camino de Santiago as a cultural and tourist attraction for the entire municipality.
"We cannot allow this history to be diluted in oblivion and resignation," he concluded, calling for a strategic plan that highlights the heritage, devotion, and life of Tunte. He closed his speech with a poem dedicated to the pilgrims who attend the festival, a lyrical piece laden with images of figs, almond trees, folia, and barbecue grills, which drew heartfelt applause from the audience.
At the end of the ceremony, the mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Marco Aurelio Pérez, offered a few words of thanks to the town crier, highlighting his commitment to the municipality's collective memory and his ability to move people with every word. As a sign of recognition, the mayor presented Manolo Santos with an institutional gift and officially declared the 2025 Tunte Festival in Honor of Santiago Apóstol, encouraging the public to actively participate in each of the planned events.
The evening ended with a rousing "Long live Bendito Santiago, long live San Bartolomé, and long live Tunte!", officially opening the festivities in an event where past and present joined hands to celebrate the pride of belonging to a people with more than 560 years of history.
