This past Saturday, Yaiza experienced one of the most anticipated days of its patron festivities with the traditional romería-offering to the Virgin of Our Lady of Remedies. This popular gathering attracted hundreds of local residents, visitors, and pilgrims, making it the most attended edition in the last decade, according to the organisers.
From early afternoon, seventeen beautifully decorated animal-drawn carts set off from the football field car park, accompanied by around twenty musical and dance groups. They were joined by numerous performers from various municipalities across the island, creating a procession filled with music, vibrant traditional costumes, and the enthusiasm of those who work to keep the tradition alive each year.
The route through the village was accompanied by folk melodies, improvised songs, and the participation of donkeys, horses, and camels, highlighting Lanzarote’s historical connection to the primary sector. The presence of children, young people, adults, and the elderly underscored the generational diversity of this event, which notably featured a high number of participants dressed in traditional attire.
The group “Vecinos del Barranco” won the prize for the best-decorated cart, awarded by a jury from the festive committee. Its spokesperson, Raquel Roger, expressed that the initiative stemmed from the desire to “preserve our identity and culture.”
During the procession, offerings of local produce and non-perishable food items were collected, which were then presented at the church for distribution to vulnerable families, in coordination with the parish and the Yaiza Town Hall.
Intergenerational Participation
The event also served as a communal space, featuring everyone from babies in arms to the elderly dance group of the municipality, who performed a traditional ‘isa’ in honour of the patroness. Home-cooked dishes, family-made desserts, and local wine circulated among the pilgrims, symbolising hospitality and togetherness.
The mayor of Yaiza, Óscar Noda, highlighted the “joy and camaraderie” shared during the romería, as well as the strong citizen participation. Meanwhile, the councillor for celebrations, Daniel Medina, expressed gratitude for the enthusiasm displayed by all groups and emphasised the importance of engaging young people in preserving traditions.
Following the offering ceremony, the festivities moved to the village square, featuring a night of parrandas with performances from groups Gurfines Son del Puerto, Son del Norte, Pal’ Porrón, and Sondemar. In this context, the selection of the 2025 ‘magas’ and ‘magos’ took place, with Valentina Morales and Daniel Díaz chosen in the children’s category, and Violeta Santos and Lorenzo Martín among the adults.
