Bathed in the September sun, with oppressive heat and an unusual wind for this time of year, early risers flocked to the hermitage housing the image of the Virgen de los Dolores in Mancha Blanca, Tinajo, on Saturday morning.
As the hours progressed, the weather changed, with clouds rolling in to provide a respite from the sun and wind, making the journey for the pilgrims a bit more bearable.
Thousands of people from all over Lanzarote made their way to Mancha Blanca, with a notable surge in numbers from around five o’clock in the afternoon near the roundabout at the Monumento al Campesino in San Bartolomé.
From this municipality, everything seemed well organised. In a press release early in the afternoon, the local council highlighted the participation of neighbours, community groups, and members of the council in the pilgrimage of Los Dolores, which commenced from the Plaza del Ayuntamiento in San Bartolomé to the Sanctuary of Mancha Blanca.
Amidst music, dancing, traditional costumes, and offerings to Lanzarote’s patron saint, the day was filled with devotion and the coming together of generations. The local participation reflected once again the strength of traditions and the pride in keeping cultural identity alive.
Although for many the religious aspect has diminished over time, the turnout on this sweltering Saturday in September—thankfully not a Tuesday for the superstitious—proves that many still attend the hermitage at Mancha Blanca, believing that their promises will be rewarded due to their faith, akin to the Virgin of the Sorrows supposedly having halted volcanic lava.
The fiesta and enjoyment matched nearly the level of religious fervour, a combination that, coupled with the fact that this weekend marks the most significant celebration in Lanzarote, guarantees the success of those organising and ensuring everything runs smoothly, as evidenced by the thousands in attendance in Tinajo.
What truly matters is not the number of attendees, but rather that the Romería de los Dolores in Lanzarote remains one of the most popular and well-established celebrations in the Canary Islands.
Despite many feeling the celebration has become less religious, the turnout on this balmy September day shows the continued connection and belief in the traditions and communal spirit this event embodies.
