San Fernando celebrates Canary Islands Day with tradition, devotion and popular conviviality

 

 

The town of Maspalomas once again became the great meeting point of Canarian tradition and identity on May 30th with the celebration of San Fernando Day and Canary Islands Day, a day that brought together hundreds of residents, families and visitors around devotion, popular music and the typical gastronomy of the Archipelago.

 

From early morning, the streets of San Fernando were filled with a festive atmosphere. Children, teenagers, and adults participated in traditional Canarian games organized in the parking lot of the San Fernando school. Games like hopscotch, sack races, shepherd's leap, and other popular activities that are part of the collective memory of the Canary Islands were all part of the festivities. This intergenerational gathering once again demonstrated how popular customs continue to be passed down from parents to children.

 

 

The day continued with one of the most anticipated and beloved events of these festivities: the traditional fish barbecue held in El Poblado. More than 1.000 people participated in this event, which every year brings together locals and visitors around one of the town's most deeply rooted culinary traditions. This year, 1.000 kilos of marinated bonito were served, accompanied by 200 kilos of wrinkled potatoes, mojo sauce, and gofio (a type of roasted grain flour), prepared by dozens of volunteers and families from the neighborhood who have kept this custom alive for more than four decades.

 

The scent of wood smoke and fish once again filled the air around the San Fernando Primary School, as long lines waited to enjoy this traditional lunch, now a symbol of identity and community spirit. Many families repeated the ritual of sharing a meal, memories, and conversation, reinforcing the heartwarming nature of a celebration that is part of San Fernando's sentimental history.

 

The Councilor for Festivals and Events of the San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council, Yilenia Vega, highlighted “the enormous community involvement that makes it possible for this tradition to continue growing year after year.” Vega pointed out that “these festivities remind us who we are and the value of keeping alive the traditions that have united the families of San Fernando for generations. Here we don't just share food or music; we share memories, identity, and community pride.”

 

 

 

For his part, the First Deputy Mayor, Alejandro Marichal, emphasized the role of the residents of El Poblado in preserving these popular celebrations. “San Fernando maintains its essence intact thanks to the people who, for years, have nurtured its traditions and ensured that they continue to inspire new generations. This festival represents the best of our identity as a community,” he stated.

 

 

 

The day was also marked by religious ceremonies in honor of Saint Ferdinand 'El Chico', patron saint of Maspalomas. Following the Solemn Eucharist celebrated in the parish of Saint Ferdinand, presided over by Father Francisco González González, a priest belonging to the priestly team of the San Bartolomé de Tirajana Sur Pastoral Unit and for thirteen years parish priest of San Fernando de Maspalomas and San José de Fataga, the traditional procession with the images of Saint Ferdinand and Our Lady of Mount Carmel took place.

 

 

 

The procession wound its way through the usual streets, accompanied by residents, parishioners, and municipal representatives, to the rhythm of the Sol y Arena Band. Upon arriving at the plaza of the old Church of San Fernando, the procession paused, and there, parish priest Pedro L. Martínez commemorated and blessed the place where, for many generations, “the word of the Lord was spoken and heard.” 

 

The procession once again brought together numerous families and devotees in one of the most moving and eagerly awaited scenes of the patron saint festivities. Amid applause, displays of affection, and shared emotion, the procession reinforced the bond between tradition, faith, and popular identity, in a celebration that continues to form part of the collective memory of San Fernando.

 

The celebration continued into the afternoon with the Maspalomas Regional Folklore Festival, which brought together folk groups from across the islands in San Fernando Square for an evening dedicated to Canarian roots, folk music, and traditions. The audience enjoyed lively music, dances, and songs, making this event a collective tribute to the culture and heritage of the Canarian people.