Valle de Guerra will turn its town square into a huge open-air theatre on Saturday, 17 October, as La Librea sacramental returns to recreate the story of the Battle of Lepanto.
The event starts at 2pm and is one of the most distinctive cultural traditions in Tenerife, bringing together history, music and a sizeable chunk of local community spirit.
La Librea commemorates the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, with the story featuring soldiers from the Canary Islands led by Captain Francisco Díaz Pimienta. The historical connection is documented in the church archives of El Salvador in La Palma.
A tradition passed down through generations
This year’s celebrations began on 7 October with a procession honouring the Virgin of the Rosary, accompanied by a boat representing the Virgin. The boat squad is considered the oldest part of the tradition.
La Laguna mayor Luis Yeray Gutiérrez described La Librea as one of the Canary Islands’ most important cultural events, highlighting the involvement of the local community.
The tradition has also been brought into local schools this year, with teachers receiving an educational workbook to help pupils learn about its history and significance.
According to Guillermo López Reyes, president of the Friends of the Librea Association, around 250 people will take part in the performance, with approximately 100 portraying different characters. Preparations have been going on for much of the past year, so there’s rather more to it than putting on a few costumes and hoping for the best.
Music, theatre and a large audience
The performance will feature live music from the Banda de Música de Nuestra Señora de Lourdes, alongside the first appearance of the Masa Coral Tinerfeña.
Organisers expect around 2,500 spectators. There will be seating for 1,200 people, including accessible spaces for visitors with reduced mobility.
Anyone unable to attend in person can watch the event streamed live through La Laguna’s social media channels.
This year’s official poster, created by Daniel González Acosta using oil on canvas, brings together the history of La Librea and the Battle of Lepanto with the agricultural landscape of Valle de Guerra.
A recognised part of Canarian heritage
La Librea has been recognised as a Cultural Asset of Interest since 2007 and is also listed as a Fiesta of Tourist Interest in the Canary Islands.
For Valle de Guerra, it’s much more than an annual performance. The tradition has become part of the area’s cultural identity, kept alive through generations of residents, local associations and support from the council.