El Tablero sits down to its iconic Gran Paella: 5.000 people bid farewell to their festivities in honor of the Holy Trinity

 

 

 

The festivities in honor of the Holy Trinity of El Tablero came to a close this Sunday with one of the most anticipated and beloved events for residents and visitors: the traditional Great Popular Paella, prepared for 5.000 people in a day marked by conviviality, teamwork and a family atmosphere.

 

From the early hours of the morning, the area around the Municipal Sports Pavilion became the main gathering point for the festivities. There, preparations began for a gigantic paella that, once again, demonstrated the organizational skills and collective commitment that surround this well-established tradition in El Tablero. More than 30 cooks, both experts and amateurs, coordinated by Ivonne Hernández, president of the 'Jilorio' Cooks, Pastry Chefs, and Bakers Association, lovingly cooked the giant paella over a wood fire. It was then served by more than 30 volunteers from across the municipality. Municipal staff also provided support, working for hours to ensure everything was ready by midday.

 

 

To prepare the paella, 300 kilos of parboiled rice, 750 liters of stock, 200 kilos of pork shoulder, 200 kilos of chicken drumsticks, 200 kilos of cuttlefish, 110 kilos of mussels, and 100 kilos of prawns were used, in addition to dozens of kilos of vegetables and seasonings that gave flavor to one of the most popular dishes in the Canary Islands. Other key ingredients included 80 kilos of peppers, 80 kilos of crushed tomatoes, 80 kilos of green beans, 80 kilos of peas, and 20 kilos of lemons to accompany the servings.

 

Once the cooking was finished, the distribution of thousands of dishes began among the people gathered in the vicinity of the pavilion, in an image that once again reflected the popular and welcoming character of the El Tablero festivities.

 

The Councillor for Festivals and Events, Yilenia Vega, highlighted the social and emotional value of this tradition. “The Great Paella represents the spirit of El Tablero: a town that shares, participates, and keeps its traditions alive generation after generation. Here, we don't just cook rice; we cook together, affection, and neighborhood pride,” she noted.

 

 

For his part, the First Deputy Mayor, Alejandro Marichal, expressed his gratitude for the involvement of the team of cooks and volunteers who make this large-scale event possible. “Those who have been participating for years, as well as those joining for the first time, do so with the affection, respect, and dedication that such an important tradition for El Tablero deserves,” he stated.

 

Prior to the Great Paella, Mass was celebrated and a subsequent procession took place in honor of the Holy Trinity, in which the governing group accompanied the image, along with the Virgin of Carmen, during its journey through the main streets of El Tablero.

 

The day brought to a close several days of religious, cultural, musical and sporting activities that have filled the streets with a festive atmosphere and community participation.

 

As highlighted by the mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Marco Aurelio Pérez, "El Tablero once again demonstrates that its festivities have their own identity and an enormous capacity to bring together thousands of people around coexistence, tradition and the desire to share and enjoy together."