The municipality of Candelaria today experienced a day full of emotion and devotion on the great day of the Virgin of Candelaria, patroness of the Canary Islands. Thousands of devotees and visitors have gathered in Villa Mariana to participate in various religious, cultural and festive events honoring La Morenita.
“Today has been an extraordinary day for Candelaria. Last night we saw a continuous tide of pilgrims who came to the villa to show their devotion to the Virgin. We have seen a significant increase in the number of people who want to see La Morenita since the pandemic, which fills us with joy. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the security and health apparatus for the great work they did during these two days, guaranteeing that all the events took place with order and tranquility. We counted 190 incidents, of which 76 were health-related. Without a doubt, teamwork is key to making the celebration so beautiful and special,” highlighted the mayor, Mary Brito.
The celebration began at 9:00 a.m. at the Basilica with a passionate welcome of drums and offerings from the La Guanchería de los Realejos Cultural Association. The Mayor, Mari Brito, and the Prior, Juan Manuel Martínez, presented a commemorative painting to the Association in recognition of its 25 years of tradition of coming to Candelaria from El Realejo.
At 10:00 a.m., more than 600 runners participated in the 33rd Athletic Floral Offering to the Virgin of Candelaria, showering the patroness with bouquets of flowers as a sign of their devotion. Afterwards, the civic procession proceeded from the Town Hall to the Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias, where the military parade and the welcome of His Majesty the King of Spain’s representative, Lieutenant General Chief of the Canary Islands Command Julio Salom Herrera, took place.
The highlight of the day was the Solemn Celebration of the Eucharist at 12:00 pm in the Basilica, presided over by Monsignor Don Bernardo Álvarez Afonso, Bishop of the Nivariense Diocese. The ceremony included the participation of the Voces para la Esperanza Villa de Candelaria Choir and the Las Candelas Chamber Orchestra.
Finally, the Virgin of Candelaria visited the plaza in a procession accompanied by the faithful, officials and the music of the Nueva Banda de Iguste, which initiated the procession and the Banda las Candelas. At the end of it, a rain of leaflets put the finishing touch to the morning of the event.
Institutional Representation
The events were widely represented, with the presence of nearly 200 civil, religious and military authorities. On behalf of the Government of the Canary Islands, the President of the Canary Islands Government, Fernando Clavijo, and the Ministers of Social Welfare, Candelaria Delgado, and Health, Esther Monzón, as well as the Deputy Counselor and the General Director were present. Likewise, the Government Representative in the Canary Islands, Anselmo Pestana, and the Deputy Representative in the Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Javier Plata, attended. The representation of the Cabildo of Tenerife was numerous, led by its President, Rosa Dávila, as well as the Vice President, Lope Afonso, and several Councilors. In addition, Rosa Elena García, Counselor of the Cabildo of La Gomera, attended this year.
As every February 2 and August 15, there was a representation of Teror, a municipality attached to Candelaria, headed by the mayor Sergio Nuez and several councilors. Also, for the first time, a delegation from the city of Puno, attached to Villa Mariana, participated, led by Javier Ponce, the city’s mayor since last August 13.
The mayors and councillors of the island of Tenerife also did not abandon their appointment with La Morenita, such as: Tacoronte: Güímar, Arafo, Puerto de la Cruz, La Victoria, Granadilla, Tegueste, Icod, Arico, San Juan de la Rambla, El Sauzal and San Miguel de Abona, El Rosario, Santa Úrsula, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, La Matanza, Los Realejos and La Orotava.
Regarding the military, those present were; Francisco Javier Vidal, General Chief of the Air Command of the Canary Islands, Colonel Juan Ángel Bote, Acting Chief of the General Staff of the Canary Islands, and the General Chief of the Civil Guard, Juan Hernández Mosquera.
Slovakia, Guatemala, Argentina, Finland, Honduras, Peru, Belgium and Thailand had consular representations at this edition. The President of the Andean Parliament Gustavo Pacheco and the Peruvian Ambassador to Spain Luis Carlos Antonio Iberico also attended.