The Cabildo of Lanzarote, through the Department of Landscape and Food Sovereignty, has unveiled a programme of activities organised by the Society of Culture, Recreation and Sports (SCRD) Torrelavega, titled ‘Lanzarote and the Peasant Culture’, in celebration of its 80th anniversary. The events will commence on Thursday, 25th September, featuring exhibitions, conferences, and concerts.

The president of the Insular Corporation, Oswaldo Betancort, emphasised the historical significance of this local society, highlighting his and the Cabildo’s commitment to enhancing public support for groups and associations that aim to enrich local cultural dialogue and knowledge. “This commemoration invites us to reflect together on how to leverage our resources and identity as an advantage to face current and future challenges,” he underscored.

Commitment to Cultural Preservation

Samuel Martín, head of the Department of Landscape and Food Sovereignty, noted that through these events, “the Cabildo of Lanzarote reaffirms its commitment to protecting the landscape, ensuring food sovereignty, and promoting peasant culture—not only as heritage but as a vision for the future.” He also mentioned the high calibre of the speakers, which includes academics, technicians, viticulturists, farmers, and artists from the island, who will share insights on topics such as agro-economics, water and territory, landscape, and peasant history.

During the press conference announcing the programme, the institution stated that the Councillor for Culture, Jesús Machín Tavío, was also in attendance, and his department will play a role in delivering the activities.

Lanzarote Declared SIPAM

Antonio Ramos, president of the SCRD Torrelavega, expressed gratitude for the collaboration from the Cabildo of Lanzarote and outlined the aim of the events, which is to bring the public closer to the art, memory, and symbols of agricultural heritage.

As part of the 80th anniversary celebrations, the SCDR Torrelavega will hold events from September to November, encompassing exhibitions, concerts, conferences, and a round table discussing agriculture, landscape, and Lanzarote’s identity.

This initiative aligns with Lanzarote’s recent designation as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (SIPAM) by the FAO, recognising the island as a model of sustainable agriculture and human adaptation to extreme aridity.

Councillor Samuel Martín reminded attendees that the Cabildo of Lanzarote will accept this significant distinction from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome before the year ends.

Programme Details

As part of its Cultural Programme 2025, in collaboration with the FAO and the Cabildo of Lanzarote, the SCRD Torrelavega will launch its autumn agenda on 25th September, inaugurating two exhibitions: “Agricultural Landscapes” by Gustavo Medina and “Agricultural Tools of Lanzarote” by Tomás Acosta. The opening will also feature a concert titled “Identity”, performed by the group Acatife alongside invited soloists such as Orlando Niz, Sara Bermúdez, Juanma Padrón, and Almudena Hernández.

The series will continue in October with various conferences addressing the relationship between agriculture and the Lanzarote territory. On 2nd October, Alejandro González Morales will discuss Agriculture, Water, and Territory in Lanzarote, while Ascensión Robayna will focus on Agroecology, and Juan Cazorla will present on The Landscape of the Cactus and Cochineal. Notably, on 16th October, Besay Pérez will perform in concert.

The discussions will resume on 30th October, offering new perspectives on rural life: Arantxa Robles Santana will present “The Peasant Culture as Resistance and Identity Cohesion”, and José de León Hernández will delve into “The Historical Dimension of Lanzarote’s Peasantry.”

In November, the programme will culminate with two notable events. On 6th November, a round table moderated by historian Mario Ferrer will bring together experts from the agricultural sector, including Domingo Brito, Teno Osorio, Lourdes Rodríguez, Francisco Mesa, and Famara Guadalupe. Finally, on 13th November, the cycle will conclude with music from Los Corujo, featuring guest artists such as Yeray Betancort, Ciro Corujo, Pancho Corujo, José Vicente Pérez, Adrián Niz, Acorán Ramos, and Genaro Pérez.

The Cabildo of Lanzarote views the care and dissemination of the values surrounding traditional landscapes and cultural cohesion as vital components of current public management.