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.
The Pancho Guerra Cultural Center , located in the historic center of San Bartolomé de Tirajana , hosted a significant recreational and cultural event this Sunday , organized by the local council's Department of the Environment. The main objective was to promote the environmental and cultural values associated with the Gran Canaria Biosphere Reserve , declared by UNESCO, thus reinforcing the municipality's commitment to its natural and social heritage. The event, funded by the Island Council's Department of the Presidency and the Island Institute for the Integrated Management of World Heritage and the Reserve, unfolded from early morning in a festive and family-friendly atmosphere, attracting both residents and tourists interested in Canarian traditions.
Among the highlights was an agricultural and artisan market offering local products such as cheeses, wines, olives, gluten-free pastries, artisanal jams, and local honeys. Companies like Queserías Amurga-La Cazuela, La Chalupa, and Cafetales Maspalomas delighted attendees with their locally sourced products. In addition, there were traditional workshops—such as bread-making in the oven at the Casa de Los Yánez Museum—and children's activities that promoted local culture among the youngest attendees. Community involvement was remarkable thanks to the free transportation service provided by the councilor's office, headed 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.
