Yilenia Vega: "This event isn't just the transfer of an image; it's a reconnection with our roots, our landscape, and our history. It's a unique event on the island; those who experience it once will never leave."
Tradition returned to life this Saturday in San Bartolomé de Tirajana with the celebration of the Descent of Santiago el Chico, one of the most symbolic, emotional, and unique events on the Canary Islands' festive calendar. From El Pinar to the historic center of Tunte, the image of Santiago el Chico traveled, on the shoulders of participants, the more than five kilometers separating the two locations, accompanied by hundreds of residents, pilgrims, and devotees, in a manifestation of faith, identity, and community that grows every year.
The day began at 18:30 p.m. with an open-air Mass in El Pinar de Santiago, a natural setting steeped in symbolism and spirituality, where attendees gathered around the saint before beginning the descent. As is tradition, the company Global collaborated with the transportation system, providing buses to transport pilgrims from Plaza de Tunte to the Mass and from there to the departure point at Degollada de Cruz Grande, allowing for a broad and organized participation.
Along the route, which traverses historic trails, pine forests, and ancient transhumance routes, the walkers accompanied the statue to the slow rhythm of their walking sticks, with songs, prayers, and shared silences that gave the event an almost liturgical character. The trail became a space for reunion, where neighbors, families, and visitors experienced a journey filled with emotions and memories. The presence of people of all ages confirmed the deep roots this tradition has in the heart of the municipality.
“The Descent of Santiago el Chico is not just the transfer of an image; it's an act of reconnection with our roots, our landscape, and our history,” declared Yilenia Vega, Councilor for Celebrations and Events. “It's a unique event on the island, for its symbolism, its beauty, and the energy that permeates every step. Those who experience it once will never stop returning. Tunte becomes, for a few hours, the spiritual heart of Gran Canaria,” she concluded.
The Descent, organized by the Department of Festivities and Events of the San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council as part of the events in honor of Santiago de Tunte 2025, had the support of the Santa Lucía de Tirajana Cultural Association and concluded in Tunte Square, where the excitement of the journey gave way to popular celebration. At 22:00 p.m., a new edition of TendereTunte, the Grand Taifa Dance, began in the open air, with the groups El Perenquén, El Parralero, and Surco livening up the evening with traditional Canarian music. Amidst the dances, dancing, and smiles, locals and visitors shared a table and shared experiences on one of the most anticipated nights of the festivities.
The Descent of Santiago el Chico thus consolidates its position as a unique experience in the Canary Islands, where religion, tradition, landscape, and popular culture merge into a must-attend event for those seeking to experience the deepest essence of the mid-mountain villages. An event that not only honors the saint, but also a way of life, an identity that remains alive and strong among ravines, pine forests, and trails.
