This Saturday, 25th May, a tide of more than 1,500 pilgrims flooded the central streets of the capital for the Romería Canaria organised by La Casa de Canarias in Madrid. Canary Islanders from all over the world, many of them from the archipelago itself, did not want to miss an event that has become the most popular Canary Island event and the most widely publicised of the Canary Islands abroad.
The celebration of the Day of the Canary Islands in Madrid and its now traditional pilgrimage was founded seven years ago by the Canarian Roberto Miño, President of the Casa de Canarias in Madrid, and now has the support of numerous institutions and companies in the islands.
The events began after midday with the homage to the Canarian flag and its hoisting, with the arrival at the central Cathedral of the Redeemer, among others, of the President of the Casa de Canarias, Roberto Miño, together with the President of the Parliament of the Canary Islands, Astrid Pérez, Ana Oramas, the presenter Roberto Herrera, the artists Caco Senante and Pancho Corujo, Hermas Méndez (the only living Canarian mayoress from the first local elections in 1979), the Delegate of the Government in Madrid Rosa Aguilar and a long list of excited attendees.
Once the flag was raised, one of the most awaited moments of the Ofrenda came when Pepe Benavente, Pacho Corujo and the Canarian soprano Judith Pezoa sang to the flag the songs “Siete Rosas” and “Paso Doble Islas Canarias,” which generated the roar of the tide of pilgrims present. An emotional Miño stressed that “Carrying the Canary Islands in our hearts is a privileged feeling that we place where it deserves, all of us who have that affection and respect for our land.”
Medals of Honour 2024 in Madrid
Very emotional moments followed with the presentation of the Medals of Honour of La Casa. This 2024 went to the presenter of Televisión Española, Roberto Herrera, for giving regional and national visibility to the Canary Islands and the daily life of all Canary Islanders. Also, to the vice-president of the Parliament of the Canary Islands and former national deputy, Ana Oramas, for more than a decade dedicated to defending and positioning the interests of the Canary Islanders in national politics. Finally, the work and career of Hermas Méndez, as the first female mayor of Villa de Mazo and the only one of the three elected in the 1979 elections who is still alive, was recognised.
Acknowledgements and special mentions continued with the presentation of a plaque to the President of the Parliament of the Canary Islands, Astrid Pérez, for being the first President to attend the event since its foundation, and some affectionate words from the institution to Jose Téllez, Director General of Emigration of the Canary Islands, for his work in the defence of the most disadvantaged Canary Islanders around the world. Miño also wanted to thank all the Canarian sponsors who have made possible the consolidation of Charías Day in Madrid, such as Binter, Caja Siete, Tirma, Canaragua, Arehucas, and Lopemar.
Record Attendance to the Canarian Pilgrimage
Thousands of Canary Islanders dressed in the typical costumes of the islands walked along the main avenues of the centre of the Spanish capital from the Barceló market, very close to Madrid’s Gran Vía, enlivened by the rondalla of the Casa de Canarias, which provided the musical touch at all times. The pilgrims’ walk ended at the prestigious Sala Changó, where the pilgrims enjoyed a Canarian cocktail offered for the occasion by the Canarian restaurant in Madrid, Detenderete, led by Guillermo García Bello and Sodepal.
After the cocktail, a great Verbena was started by the artist Pepe Benavente, who for more than an hour and a half brought more than 1000 people to their feet and sold out the hall. Finally, Alboroto Las Palmas continued the Verbena with the three famous Canarian DJs Atema, Heinz and Iván Mg, who caused a furore among the pilgrims until the end of the Romería.
