On Sunday, October 19, the town center of San Bartolomé de Tirajana will host a recreational and cultural event promoted by the City Council's Department of the Environment, led by Deputy Mayor Araceli Armas Cruz. The initiative seeks to strengthen awareness and appreciation of the natural and cultural resources of the Gran Canaria Biosphere Reserve, under the slogan "Experience the tradition and share the values of the Biosphere Reserve."
The event, awarded to Soportes Profesionales Canarios, a company established in May 2024 with a share capital of €3.000 and specializing in technical consulting and healthcare activities, will have the institutional support of the Gran Canaria Island Council through the Ministry of the Presidency and the Island Institute for the Integrated Management of World Heritage and Biosphere Reserves.
The program will run from 9:00 a.m. to 15:30 p.m. and will include a farmers' and artisans' market, showcasing local products such as cheeses, wines, olives, coffee, and pastries. Attendees will also be able to participate in workshops on making typical Tunte mantecados (shortbread), traditional bread making, cochineal painting, and crafts using recycled materials, combining entertainment with learning about local heritage.
One of the highlights will be a traditional performance by the women of Tunte, who will recall ancient domestic and rural chores from the midlands of Gran Canaria. Complementing the day will be two informative talks: one on the Biosphere Reserve and another on the uses of cochineal, led by Lorenzo Pérez, president of the Canary Islands Cochineal Breeders and Exporters Association.
For the little ones, the Cancionero Isleño company will offer the audiovisual puppet show "Cancionero de la Reserva," designed as an educational tool and an inclusive promotion of the Biosphere Reserve. The event will conclude with a popular lunch featuring Ropa Vieja (old clothes), accompanied by the Parranda A Cal y Canto (a traditional Mexican folk dance group), thus closing out a day that combines environmental education, gastronomy, and tradition.
To ensure the availability of families in the municipality, the Department of the Environment will offer a free transportation service with limited spaces, which will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis at local cultural centers until Wednesday, October 15th. This type of initiative reinforces San Bartolomé de Tirajana's commitment to sustainability, culture, and responsible tourism, highlighting the active role of the local community in preserving the island's environmental and heritage values.
