The Tenerife Cabildo is collaborating with the Town Council of La Laguna to celebrate the Fiesta de Los Corazones de Tejina, which will take place this Sunday, 24 August.
This Friday, 22 August, the Environment Minister, Blanca Pérez; the Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Municipal Services and Citizen Participation, Fran Hernández; the Councillor for Fiestas, Women, Equality, and LGTBI, Dailos González; and the Councillor for Tourism and Commerce, Estefanía Díaz, joined members and representatives of the Asociación Corazones de Tejina and the three iconic hearts —Calle Arriba, Calle Abajo, and El Pico— for the collection and removal of the fayas in the La Tahona area.
Blanca Pérez stated, “The Fiesta de los Corazones de Tejina is part of our identity, and with this initiative, we ensure its sustainable continuity. Today, we have removed the branches and faya destined to create the plant structure that covers the hearts, and we are convinced that on Sunday we will see a spectacular outcome.”
Meanwhile, Fran Hernández remarked, “It is important for us to preserve our traditions, especially this year, as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Asociación Corazones de Tejina. We are talking about a festival that has been recognised as Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) since 2003 and is a source of pride for all residents of La Laguna. It is rich in identity and culture and serves as a gathering point for thousands of people each year.”
Restoration of Montaña Fagundo
Blanca Pérez noted that the Tenerife Cabildo is restoring Montaña Fagundo to transform it into a nature classroom where projects focused on environmental education, reforestation, and restoration will be developed.
The island corporation, along with the Ministry of Industry and Tourism and the public company ENAIRE (a provider of air navigation services and aeronautical information), which has managed the shared area of 32 hectares between the municipalities of La Laguna and Tacoronte, recently signed an agreement to carry out these actions.
The aim is to create a large public green space of 32 hectares that supports a significant educational project with a nature classroom, involving schoolchildren and community associations. This will help establish a true biodiversity sanctuary in a strategically important location.
This agreement will enable reforestation with native species across the estate following the impact of a forest fire that burned over 50% of its area in 2022. The nature classroom project will create a refuge for biodiversity alongside various educational and environmental initiatives, including the repopulation of humid thermophilic forest species — particularly fayal — through volunteer campaigns, school activities, and professional work.
Corazones de Tejina
The Fiesta de Los Corazones de Tejina, celebrated since the second half of the 19th century, represents one of the most traditional cultural expressions of Tenerife. Its significance led to its declaration as a Bien de Interés Cultural in 2003.
The Corazones de Tejina embody a form of popular culture that blends festivity with religious devotion, featuring elements of considerable ethnographic and anthropological value. Every year, the celebration occurs around 24 August, the feast day of San Bartolomé, showcasing their unique standards with pride, a symbol of their beauty and exclusivity.
