Seventeen carts and twenty groups of musicians and dancers accompanied hundreds of pilgrims through the streets of the village. Joy, music, and tradition merged in this southern tribute to the patroness.
In the village of Yaiza, community members adorned their animal-drawn carts, tightened their ropes, tuned their instruments, dressed in traditional attire, and had a glass of wine to warm up their voices, as they gathered for the traditional pilgrimage offering in honour of Our Lady of Remedies, celebrated this Saturday—the most attended event in the last decade.
At least seventeen carts, along with around twenty groups of musicians and dancers, as well as performers from various towns, participated in the pilgrimage, leading hundreds of pilgrims from the football field car park to the church.
Community Spirit and Participation
Óscar Noda, the Mayor of Yaiza, highlighted not only the number of participants of all ages in the tribute to the patroness but also the atmosphere of joy and camaraderie witnessed during the event. He noted that this year saw a notable increase in individuals dressed in traditional island outfits, adding visual appeal to the celebrations and reinforcing local customs.
Raquel Roger, a member of ‘Vecinos del Barranco’, a group of friends committed to preserving their identity and culture, spoke on this matter. Her group received the award for best-decorated cart, given by a jury from the Yaiza festival committee. Donkeys, horses, and camels reminded attendees of Lanzarote’s agricultural roots.
Celebrations and Traditions
Daniel Medina, the Councillor for Festivities in Yaiza, expressed gratitude for the enthusiasm of all groups who decorated, sang, and danced tirelessly during the pilgrimage. “It would be unfair to mention names, but we wish to celebrate the joy from all participating groups and the shared sentiment of eagerness to preserve traditions and pass them on to the younger generation. The best way to do this, as demonstrated in Yaiza, is to involve our youth actively.”
The Yaiza pilgrimage was a vibrant gathering space where infants, young people, seasoned dancers, and the lively elder group of Yaiza could be spotted. Alongside offerings of local products and essential goods, the elders performed a traditional dance in front of the patroness.
The village revelled in sharing home-cooked dishes and desserts, enjoying locally-made wine crafted with care and affection, fulfilling their tribute to the patroness who will again process from the church on 8 September, the Grand Day of Yaiza, marked by a solemn mass and procession. After the pilgrimage route concluded, members of the Yaiza governing body joined parish priest Jonathan Almeida in the ceremonial presentation of offerings.
Acts of Solidarity
Another notable aspect was the spirit of solidarity. Upon arriving at the church, pilgrims donated substantial amounts of non-perishable food, which the parish will distribute to vulnerable families in coordination with the Town Hall. Many attended the church as spectators, waiting to witness the offerings presented through song, music, and dance.
The festivities continued in the town square, enlivened by an evening of traditional music featuring groups such as Gurfines Son del Puerto, Son del Norte, Pal’ Porrón, and Sondemar. Earlier in the day, Yaiza selected its best-dressed magicians for 2025: Valentina Morales and Daniel Díaz among the children, and Violeta Santos and Lorenzo Martín among the adults.
The Town Hall publicly thanked the efforts of the Yaiza Local Police, the Civil Protection Group, and all security and emergency services involved in providing preventative measures. Yaiza also commended the performance of the Festivities staff and their coordination with the festival committee, along with the entire team of municipal workers ready to serve the community.
