The recreational and educational activities organized by the Department of the Environment were held in a festive and family-friendly manner at the Pancho Guerra Cultural Center.
El Pancho Guerra Cultural Center, located in the historic center of San Bartolomé, was the scene this Sunday of an outstanding recreational and cultural meeting promoted by the Department of the Environment of the local council. The main objective was promote environmental and cultural values associated with the Gran Canaria Biosphere Reserve, declared by UNESCO, thus reinforcing the commitment to the municipality's natural and social heritage. The event, funded by the Council of the Presidency and the Island Institute for the Integrated Management of World Heritage and the Reserve, took place from early morning in a festive and family atmosphere, attracting both residents and tourists interested in Canarian traditions.
Among the most relevant activities was a agricultural and craft market where local products such as cheeses, wines, olives, gluten-free pastries, artisanal jams, and native honeys were offered. Companies such as Queserías Amurga-La Cazuela, La Chalupa, and Cafetales Maspalomas surprised attendees with their zero-mile offerings. There were also traditional workshops—such as bread kneading in the oven at the Museo Casa de Los Yánez—and children's activities that promoted local culture among the little ones. Neighborhood involvement was notable thanks to the free transportation service provided by the council led by Araceli Armas Cruz.
The event also included an educational component with informative talks on the ecological and cultural importance of the Gran Canaria Reserve. Midori Ramírez explained the natural features of the protected area and emphasized its educational value within the Eco-Schools project. Lorenzo Pérez, president of the Canary Islands Cochineal Breeders and Exporters Association, addressed the current challenges of traditional cultivation in the face of recent pests and reported on the progress toward a Protected Designation of Origin for this emblematic product. The event concluded with a communal lunch in Tunte accompanied by traditional Canarian music.
