The Arrecife Government inaugurated the ‘Screams of the Blue’ exhibition this Saturday along the new pedestrian promenade by El Reducto beach. Large banners showcase the beauty surrounding the Arrecife coastline, while also highlighting the waste that reaches the sea due to the lack of civic responsibility from citizens, such as plastics and cigarette butts on the beaches that are washed in by the waves.
Coinciding with World Beach Day, commemorated on Saturday, 21 September, the Environmental and Beaches Councils, directed by councillor Davinia Déniz, launched the ‘Screams of the Blue’ exhibition. This features a selection of photographs coordinated by environmental technician Cristina Camacho, aiming to raise public awareness and encourage visitors to maintain the cleanliness of the beaches, particularly involving people in the collection of cigarette butts.
According to a press release issued the same day, the Arrecife City Council will keep this exhibition at the El Reducto promenade until the end of next week, coinciding with World Tourism Day. During this time, children and volunteers will participate in awareness-raising activities.
The exhibition was inaugurated with the attendance of the author, Cristina Camacho, the councillor for Beaches and Environment, Davinia Déniz, and the councillor for Security and Emergencies, Kevin Cortés. The Mayor was unable to attend this morning’s inauguration as he was travelling to Tenerife for a meeting of the People’s Party of the Canary Islands, of which he is a member.
Since 1986, World Beach Day has been commemorated globally, a date chosen by the Marine Conservation Centre of the United States to highlight the importance of caring for and keeping these spaces clean for public enjoyment.
Aware Workshops and Recycling
Among the various activities launched by the areas headed by Davinia Déniz, today at El Reducto beach, children enjoyed a series of inflatable attractions as a “reward” for families’ cooperation in raising awareness about the removal of cigarette butts from the beaches. This also aimed to preserve the coastline from bottles and other plastic items, which can become harmful to the marine ecosystem.
Technician Álvaro Guzmán conducted workshops focusing on awareness, including creating artistic pins using mini plastics collected and repurposed materials. In addition, a mural is being created that will be revealed soon, as part of a plan launched today by Arrecife City Council. This mural will be created by an environmental collective that removes waste and microplastics from the coastline.
El Reducto, One of Two Blue Flag Beaches in Lanzarote
This Saturday, the Council launched this plan alongside El Reducto beach, whose promenade has recently been transformed as part of the urban renewal of Arrecife. This beach is one of only two in Lanzarote that flies the prestigious Blue Flag environmental award.
The Municipal Government, led by Mayor Yonathan de León, has initiated a series of improvement projects across various beaches and coastal areas during this term, with joint efforts from the Councils of Works and Beaches. These projects involve investments aimed at enhancing accessibility, providing new public services to the beaches, and showcasing the entire seafront of Lanzarote. Arrecife is the only municipality in Lanzarote where the entire seafront is pedestrian or semi-pedestrian, allowing residents to enjoy walks along the waterfront.
