Each festive day celebrated on Fuerteventura and on all other Canary islands is closely connected to the old traditions of the respective island or village where it takes place. At this the adoration of the different patrons varying from village to village plays a very important role. The preparation and celebration of the festive days mean a big event to the inhabitants. Facades and doors of the houses are freshly painted, flowers are bound to colourful bunches, banners are hung up and people buy new clothes to wear them on the feast. Despite of that special foods are prepared and cultural performances and typical folklore dances are enacted. Normally the festivities are iniciated with a religious worship ministered in honour of the respective patron and followed by a procession and feasts usually lasting three days.
In January or February takes place the carneval being one of the most important events of the year and activating huge excitement as well in the inhabitants as in the visitors of the island. The most famous are the carneval festivities in Puerto del Rosario, Gran Tarajal and Corralejo.
Furthermore take place several pilgrims and street festivals (romerías) where typical foods are offered and people dance extensively. The Romería de la Peña and the Romería del Tanquito are the most famous ones of the island celebrated in honour of the Virgen de la Peña (patron of Fuerteventura) in Vega de Río on the third Saturday in September of each year. During the Romería del Tanquito the statue of the Virgen de la Peña is carried on the shoulders of several men to the top of the mountain where it is set down in a cave and a fest is celebrated in honour of her.
Another festivity is the celebration in honour of the Virgen del Carmen based in an old seaman tradition and taking place July 16th. It is celebrated as well in Morro Jable as in Corralejo. The most important moment of the ceremony is when the statue of the virgin is taken along the coast in a fisherboot.
Another important is the feast of the Virgen del Carmen, seafaring tradition, is celebrated on July 16 while in Morro Jable and Corralejo; where they walk the Virgin by the waters of the coast.
|
 |
Over the years and as result of the modernisation the ceremonial procedure has changed. Nevertheless the traditional music and dance keep playing a very essential role.
|
