The village of Yaiza adorned its animal-drawn carts, tightened strings, tuned instruments, donned traditional attire, had a glass of wine to warm their voices, and took to the streets to honour the Virgen de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios. This popular pilgrimage, held on Saturday, was noted as the most participatory in the last decade.
Participation and Festivities
At least seventeen carts, around twenty music and dance groups, alongside various performers from different towns, gathered for the Yaiza pilgrimage, accompanying hundreds of pilgrims on their journey to the church that began from the football pitch car park.
The Mayor of Yaiza, Óscar Noda, highlighted not only the number of participants of all ages who paid tribute to the patroness but also the joy, atmosphere, and camaraderie evident during the pilgrimage. He also noted the increased presence of attendees dressed in traditional Canary Island attire this year, adding a vibrant touch to the celebration and strengthening local customs.
Cultural Identity and Awards
Raquel Roger, a member of ‘Vecinos del Barranco’, a group of friends dedicated to preserving their community’s identity and culture, commented on the occasion. This group was awarded for the best-decorated cart by the judges from the Yaiza festivities committee. Donkeys, horses, and camels reminded onlookers of Lanzarote’s agricultural roots.
Daniel Medina, Councillor for Festivities in Yaiza, expressed gratitude for the enthusiasm and participation of all the groups who decorated, sang, and danced continuously during the pilgrimage: “It would be unfair to mention names, but we want to celebrate the joy of all groups, pilgrims, and the shared emotion of upholding traditions and passing them on to the younger generation. The best way to achieve this, as we witnessed in Yaiza, is to involve young people in the celebration.”
Community and Solidarity
The Yaiza pilgrimage served as a communal space where families with young children, teenagers, and seasoned adults were notably present this year, highlighted by Yaiza’s lively senior group known for their vitality and infectious joy. Besides the offerings of local produce and essential goods, the older participants danced the ‘isa’ in front of the patroness.
The community revelled in shared homemade dishes and desserts, enjoyed locally produced wine crafted with care, and fulfilled their tribute to the patroness, who will make another appearance from the church on 8th September, the Great Day of Yaiza, featuring a solemn mass and procession. After the pilgrimage, local government members accompanied the parish priest, Jonathan Almeida, for the offering ceremony.
Another commendable aspect of the event was solidarity. Upon arriving at the church, pilgrims donated numerous kilograms of non-perishable food, which the parish will distribute to vulnerable families in the municipality in collaboration with the town hall. There were also many gathered around the church eagerly awaiting the offerings presented through song, music, and dance.
Evening Entertainment and Acknowledgments
Festivities continued in the square with a lively night of music featuring groups such as Gurfines Son del Puerto, Son del Norte, Pal’ Porrón, and Sondemar. Earlier, Yaiza crowned its magicians for 2025: Valentina Morales and Daniel Díaz among the younger participants, and Violeta Santos and Lorenzo Martín amongst the best-dressed adults.
The town council publicly thanked the efforts of the Local Police in Yaiza, the Civil Protection Group, and all other security and emergency services involved in preventive measures. Yaiza also commended the work of the Events team and their collaboration with the festivities committee, alongside the dedicated municipal staff ready to serve the community.
