The town of Yaiza decorated its animal-drawn carts, tightened ropes, tuned instruments, donned traditional attire, and enjoyed a glass of wine to warm their voices as they took to the streets for the annual pilgrimage in honour of Our Lady of Remedies. The event, which took place this Saturday, was the most attended in a decade.
At least seventeen carts, along with around twenty music and dance groups, joined the procession of hundreds of pilgrims that departed from the football field car park towards the church.
Yaiza’s mayor, Óscar Noda, noted in a press release this Sunday that “not only was the number of participants across all ages remarkable, but also the joy, atmosphere, and camaraderie that we experienced during the pilgrimage. This year saw significantly more people clad in traditional island attire, adding to the visual appeal of the tradition and reinforcing our customs.”
Raquel Roger, a member of ‘Vecinos del Barranco’, a group of friends dedicated to preserving their identity and culture, also commented on this matter. This group won the award for best-decorated cart during the event, judged by members of the Yaiza festival committee. Donkeys, horses, and camels were a reminder of Lanzarote’s roots in primary sectors.
Daniel Medina, the councillor for festivities in Yaiza, expressed gratitude for the participation and enthusiasm displayed by all groups who decorated, sang, and danced throughout the pilgrimage: “to mention individuals would be unfair; however, we must highlight the joy from all groups, pilgrims, and that spirit of emotion and commitment to preserving traditions and passing them on to the younger generation. The best way to do this, as we witnessed in Yaiza, is to involve the younger population.”
The Yaiza pilgrimage served as a vibrant space of coexistence, showcasing families with infants, young people, seasoned performers, and the active seniors group, notable for their vitality and infectious joy. Besides the offerings of local produce and essential items, the elderly performed a traditional dance in front of the patroness.
The community celebrated, generously sharing home-cooked dishes and desserts, local wine created with care and affection, fulfilling their tribute to the patroness, who will next appear on September 8 during Yaiza’s Grand Day, featuring a solemn mass and procession. After the pilgrimage, members of the Yaiza government accompanied parish priest Jonathan Almeida for the presentation of offerings.
Another notable aspect was the spirit of solidarity displayed. Upon arrival at the church, pilgrims donated kilos of non-perishable food that the parish will distribute to vulnerable families in coordination with the town hall. Many individuals gathered around the church, anticipating the pilgrimage to witness the offerings presented through song, music, and dance.
The festivities continued in the square, enlivened by an evening of parrandas featuring groups such as Gurfines Son del Puerto, Son del Norte, Pal’ Porrón, and Sondemar. Beforehand, Yaiza announced its 2025 kings and queens: Valentina Morales and Daniel Díaz for the children’s category, and Violeta Santos and Lorenzo Martín for the best-dressed adults.
The town hall publicly thanked the efforts of the Local Police of Yaiza, the Civil Protection Group, and all security and emergency services involved in the preventive measures. Yaiza also commended the hard work of the festivities staff and their coordination with the festival committee and the entire team of municipal workers who were ready to serve the community.
