Thousands turn out for one of Tenerife’s most traditional celebrations, with the Virgin making the 4.5-kilometre journey from San Pedro to El Socorro
You might think putting one of Tenerife’s biggest traditional celebrations on a Monday would be asking for trouble.
Apparently not.
Thousands of people turned out in Güímar on Monday morning for the Bajada de la Virgen del Socorro, one of those occasions where tradition still means something to the people taking part.
The day began at 6:00am with the pilgrims’ mass at the church of San Pedro Apóstol, before the Virgin was carried on the 4.5-kilometre journey down to El Socorro.
And despite it being a working day, the crowds were there.
The church filled up, San Pedro square was packed and, by the end of the morning, the whole place had the feel of a major local celebration rather than a Monday morning.
Five hours on the road
The journey down to El Socorro took almost five hours.
Along the route there was plenty of music, from traditional Canarian folk songs to more familiar tunes, with thousands of people following the Virgin in what is a very lively and colourful procession.
Many wore the familiar white T-shirts featuring the Virgin, while local bands and officials added plenty of colour to the procession.
People had travelled from across Tenerife to be there. Visitors came from places including Tacoronte and Icod de los Vinos, while others had made the early start from La Cruz Santa and Puerto de la Cruz.
For some, it is simply something they have done for years.
For others, it is about remembering family members who are no longer around.
Mary Carmen and José, for example, travelled from Puerto de la Cruz to honour José’s late grandmother.
That’s probably one of the reasons this celebration continues to have such a strong following. It isn’t just about the event itself. It’s about family, memories and doing what previous generations have done before you.
Not a pilgrimage
There is an interesting detail about the Bajada that says quite a lot about how seriously people take it.
Locals are reluctant to call it a pilgrimage.
José Tomás, from the band in La Guancha, described it as the “most pure and ancient of celebrations”.
And perhaps that is a better description.
Before setting off, participants traditionally raise a glass of aguapata, the first drink of the day, before beginning the walk towards El Socorro.
It is a long morning, and nobody seems particularly bothered by that.
A tradition that still feels very alive
At around 6:05am, Bishop Eloy Santiago led the mass and encouraged those attending to seek comfort in the Virgin.
After the service, he spent time among the people taking part before the procession got underway.
The parish priest, Domingo González, also addressed the crowd in San Pedro square, encouraging everyone to keep their attention on the Virgin and the meaning of the celebration.
There were the usual cheers, music, children paying their respects and plenty of emotion as the Virgin began her journey.
By the time she finally reached her shrine in El Socorro, the atmosphere was still buzzing.
The shrine itself was decorated with palm leaves and dates, ready for the arrival of the Virgin and the next part of the celebrations.
The return journey, known as the Subida, follows the next day and brings the annual cycle of devotion to a close.
In Güímar, the Bajada isn’t something that needs much explanation.
People simply turn up, take part and keep the tradition going.
And judging by the crowds on a Monday morning, they’re in no hurry to let it disappear.