La Victoria de Acentejo was packed on Saturday, 29 August, as nearly 10,000 people turned out for the 45th Romería in honour of San Isidro Labrador.
The popular celebration formed part of the town’s August Festivals and once again brought together locals and visitors for an afternoon of traditional dress, music, food and plenty of Canarian atmosphere.
Floats and folk groups made their way through the town, with large numbers of participants dressed in traditional Canarian clothing.
It’s one of those events where the town suddenly feels considerably smaller. Streets fill up, neighbours bump into people they haven’t seen for months and before long there’s probably someone offering you food.
A celebration of local tradition
La Victoria de Acentejo mayor Juan Antonio García Abreu highlighted the importance of the Romería and the role it plays in maintaining the town’s identity.
He described it as one of the events that most clearly reflects the community’s “sense of belonging and pride in our traditions”, while thanking local associations and residents for helping to keep the celebration going.
That community involvement is a big part of what makes these events work.
Yurena Gutiérrez, councillor for Festivals, also highlighted the inclusive nature of the Romería, describing it as a meeting point for different generations and an important part of the cultural life of northern Tenerife.
The celebrations continue
The Romería may have been the big event, but the August Festivals aren’t finished yet.
The programme continues with activities for children, live music, sporting events and the traditional Noche Atrevida, giving residents plenty more opportunities to get involved.
For a town with a strong connection to its traditions, a turnout of almost 10,000 people is a pretty good indication that the Romería is still doing what it has done for generations: bringing people together.