The historic tradition returns to Plaza de San Marcos on 11 September as part of a month of celebrations
Tegueste is getting ready for its 2026 Fiestas de Los Remedios, with a packed programme of religious, cultural and family events planned throughout September.
The big highlight will be La Librea de Tegueste, one of the municipality’s most important traditions and a particularly good example of how Tenerife manages to keep its history alive without putting it behind glass.
La Librea returns on 11 September
The traditional re-enactment of La Librea will take place on Friday 11 September at 9.30pm in Plaza de San Marcos.
Directed by Telésforo Rodríguez, the performance is free, with entry available until capacity is reached.
Tegueste mayor Norberto Padilla described La Librea as an essential part of the municipality’s identity, highlighting its role in passing traditions from one generation to the next.
And there’s plenty of history behind it.
La Librea can be traced back to at least the 17th century, with its origins linked to celebrations in honour of Our Lady of Los Remedios and a promise made by local residents in 1583 in gratitude for the Virgin’s protection.
A tradition built around four elements
La Librea combines four main elements:
- The Militia
- The Dance of Flowers
- The Ships
- The procession of the Virgin
The performance includes the symbolic battle between the ships and the castle following the procession.
It represents the defence of the island and ultimately ends with victory through the intercession of the Virgin.
It’s part religious devotion, part history lesson and part community theatre. And the fact that local residents are so heavily involved is what gives it its particular character.
A month of celebrations
La Librea isn’t the only thing happening during the Fiestas de Los Remedios.
The September programme will include religious ceremonies, concerts, folk performances, sporting events, family activities and community events, as well as celebrations connected to Tegueste’s long winemaking tradition.
Among the highlights are the election gala for the Queen of Los Remedios and the 2026 Wine Harvest Queen, a new Bicycle Day, a children’s queen gala and a float parade.
The religious programme includes the solemn Eucharist and procession in honour of Our Lady of Los Remedios on 8 September, followed by another major celebration on 13 September.
A tradition protected as cultural heritage
La Librea is now held every four years and has been officially recognised as a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) in the category of intangible heritage since 2007.
Tegueste’s Councillor for Culture, Roberto Díaz, described it as much more than a festival that comes around every four years.
It forms part of the collective memory of the municipality and connects today’s residents with centuries of history, faith and local identity.
That is probably the best reason to see it in person.