The Fiestas de Los Dolores are now underway in Tinajo. The square in Mancha Blanca hosted the inaugural event on Tuesday night, featuring members of the Club Deportivo Tinajo, celebrating fifty years of history. The evening, filled with music and emotion, brought together local, regional, and insular authorities, as well as numerous attendees eager to kick off the patron festivities of Lanzarote.
The Councillor for Festivities, Jonathan Pérez Olivero, opened the speeches by recalling his own experience as a player for the club, which he described as a school of life for many generations. Following this, the parish priest of Tinajo, Francisco José García, introduced the official proclamation delivered by the president of CD Tinajo, Miguel Ángel Tejera Morales. Accompanied by players, coaches, and former leaders, Tejera reflected on the club’s journey since its founding in 1974, highlighting its social role in the municipality and thanking those who have supported the club over five decades.
The Mayor of Tinajo, Jesús Machín, congratulated the club and recalled the memories of historic leaders and coaches. He emphasised that the institution has nurtured players who have achieved success beyond the municipality, and reiterated that the local council will continue to support community sports organisations. Machín also took the opportunity to call on the president of the Cabildo, Oswaldo Betancort, to improve island infrastructure, such as the youth hostel, road segments, and works in La Vegueta, as well as the restoration of the bells from the church in Mancha Blanca.
The Mayor thanked the involvement of community groups, security forces, and volunteers in organising the festivities, while inviting residents and visitors to enjoy each event “responsibly and dressed in traditional attire during the pilgrimage.”
Message of Unity
Meanwhile, the president of the island, Oswaldo Betancort, praised the devotion to the Virgin of Los Dolores, “the Virgin of the Volcanoes,” recalling a tradition dating back to 1736. Betancort congratulated CD Tinajo on its anniversary, describing it as an example of effort, camaraderie, and health for the youth of Lanzarote and La Graciosa. He also called for unity to tackle island challenges such as water, the environment, housing, and the preservation of cultural identity.
The inaugural event was also attended by the Canary Islands Government councillor, Migdalia Machín; the vice-president of the Cabildo, María Jesús Tovar; several island councillors and Tinajo councillors, as well as representatives from other municipalities, military, and health authorities.
