The World Heritage city will host a historic parade this Saturday, uniting generations and celebrating local identity with music, colour, and collective memory.
La Laguna has become a hub of creativity in the days leading up to La Noche de las Tradiciones of the Fiestas del Cristo, thanks to workshops focused on crafting the “caballitos de fuego.” This initiative has brought together locals of all ages during the afternoons in the historic city. Supported by the Cultural Heritage and Festivals Departments, as well as the Historical Centre Residents’ Association, this event will reach its peak this Saturday (September 13), when over 400 students and residents will take part in the Desfile de la Pandorga and the Caballitos de Fuego, parading through the historic streets of La Laguna. This year, the parade’s visibility will be enhanced by its inclusion in the La Noche del Patrimonio programme, an international event organised simultaneously by the 15 UNESCO World Heritage cities across Spain.
Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, the mayor of La Laguna, emphasised the human value of the workshops: “They represent the essence of our El Cristo festivities, where not only ornamental elements are created but also bonds, memories, and a sense of belonging. This initiative reinforces the objective of passing our traditions down through generations, strengthening the connection between citizens and their history.”
“Seeing the younger generation so engaged in producing the caballitos de fuego is heartening, as it not only revives a traditional festive manifestation but also highlights its value as part of La Laguna’s intangible heritage. It is a moving demonstration of how tradition is passed down through hands and hearts,” the mayor added.
Adolfo Cordobés, the councillor for Cultural Heritage, expressed gratitude towards the residents’ association and the educational community for their contributions to the parade preparations. Participating groups include Scout Group 70 Aguere and various schools: CEIP Prácticas Aneja, Santa Rosa de Lima Las Dominicas, Camino de La Villa, Santa Rosa de Lima de Guamasa, Aguere, Máyex, and Buen Consejo La Laguna.
Cordobés highlighted the impact of crafting the caballitos de fuego in promoting heritage. “This educational tool allows the younger generation to actively learn about our roots. It’s heritage in action, experienced from within and shared with the community; a fusion of cultural heritage and civic participation, all within a context that celebrates the 25th anniversary of our designation as a UNESCO World Heritage City,” he remarked.
Dailos González, the councillor for Festivals, celebrated the community’s involvement in this initiative, noting the extraordinary response and how each caballito reflects the effort and enthusiasm of its creators. These workshops have transformed the preparation for La Noche de las Tradiciones into a genuine pre-festival celebration, igniting our culture from the very beginning.
Both councillors underscored how the collaboration between La Noche del Patrimonio and the Fiestas del Cristo not only enriches both celebrations but also solidifies a shared vision where tradition and contemporary culture can coexist, interact, and mutually strengthen. They acknowledged that La Noche del Patrimonio represents a significant boost and international visibility for both the tangible and intangible heritage of La Laguna, including this deeply-rooted tradition in local culture.
In fact, the origins of this event may relate to equestrian ornaments made during the late Middle Ages and early Modern period for commemorations and tributes. Nowadays, similar celebrations are also held in other parts of the Canary Islands and in some Spanish towns and Latin American countries, such as Mexico and Venezuela, with which La Laguna shares a significant historical connection.
A Grand Parade Through Five Centuries of History
The culmination of this collaborative effort from students and residents will be showcased in the Desfile de la Pandorga and the Caballitos de Fuego, which will make its way through the historic district starting at 20:00 this Saturday, beginning at the Plaza de La Concepción and concluding at the Plaza del Cristo.
In addition to all the participants and central elements of the parade, the route will feature giants, cabezudos, bands, and fanfares, recalling the splendour and vibrancy of the origins of this event. The bands San Miguel de La Laguna and A.M. Nazarenos de Tejina, as well as the Fanfarria Los Silos, will also participate.
La Noche de las Tradiciones will continue at 21:00 on the grand stage at the Plaza del Cristo, with recognitions awarded to Alberto Mesa Perera (Pancho) and Agustín David Hernández Mesa (Lito) for their essential contributions to the festivities of La Laguna’s towns and neighborhoods, as well as to Tita Rodríguez and Pina Rodríguez de Milán for their contributions to Canary Islands folk music.
The evening will also include performances from Achamán, the Compañía Pieles, and the Grupo Percusión Canaria, alongside dance couples representing the municipality’s folk groups.
This will all be enhanced by an extensive cultural programme during La Noche del Patrimonio, which combines tradition with contemporary dance, documentary screenings, the recovery of audiovisual memory, and guided tours of iconic monuments, among other activities. The entire programme is free and open to the public until capacities are reached, and it can be consulted on the website 25aniversario.aytolalaguna.es.
