Celebrating Fiestas in Honor of Nuestra Señora de La Peña

Source: Radio Sintonía (archivo)

The Fiestas in Honor of Nuestra Señora de La Peña is a significant cultural and religious event held annually in Fuerteventura, an island in the Canary Islands. Traditionally celebrated the third weekend of September, the festival honors the patron saint of the island and brings together locals and visitors alike for a series of festivities filled with devotion, music, and tradition.

Changes in 2020: A New Normal

In 2020, the pandemic led to unavoidable changes in how the celebrations were organized. The Fiestas this year would be notably different, adapting to new safety regulations to minimize gatherings. The goal was to create a safe environment for attendees while still honoring the rich traditions of the festival. The Director of Culture for the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, Andrés Briansó, the Mayor of Betancuria, Marcelino Cerdeña, and the Vicar of the Diocese of the Canaries, Hipólito Cabrera, announced these changes during a press conference on July 23, 2020.

The festival’s religious acts, albeit limited in size, would still take place, and they were planned to be broadcast on various media platforms. This decision aimed to keep the spirit of the festival alive while prioritizing public health.

Guidelines for Attendance

In an effort to prevent overcrowding, the organizers encouraged the public to visit the sanctuary of the Virgen de la Peña throughout August and September, rather than focusing all visits on the festival weekend. The leaders urged attendees to create a staggered pilgrimage to the Virgen, encouraging everyone to respect the allocated time for church visits to spread the attendance over a longer period.

Acknowledging Pandemic Challenges

Blas Acosta, the President of the Cabildo, highlighted the significance of resilience during challenging times. “Despite the circumstances that have dealt us such a harsh blow in 2020, we will do our best to reinvent ourselves and provide the best of ourselves from the island government to enhance the Fiestas of La Virgen de la Peña,” he remarked. The goal was to honor the historical, cultural, and patrimonial aspects of the festival while adapting to the required public health protocols.

Coordination Among Institutions

The festival’s adaptation showcases a strong collaboration among various institutions. Briansó noted the importance of constant communication with the church and the local government to determine the best way forward for an event of such cultural significance. He appealed for prudence among the public and reiterated the importance of avoiding large gatherings on key days.

Schedule of Events

Throughout the festival period, the Santuario de la Vega de Río Palmas would maintain extended hours to accommodate visitors. From September 9 to 25, the sanctuary extended its hours to 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM, with masses held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 10:00 AM.

On key dates such as September 18, the temple would remain open for 12 continuous hours from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with a special mass at 10:30 AM that would be broadcasted for those unable to attend in person. The traditional main event on September 19 would occur at noon, also broadcasted, with an occupancy capacity limited to 75%.

The final day of the festival, September 20, would see the temple open from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, concluding with a mass at noon. Throughout the event, measures were in place to ensure proper distancing and safety for all participants.

Special Publication: “Nuestra Señora de La Peña”

In lieu of large gatherings, the Cabildo of Fuerteventura decided to honor the festival with a special edition of the traditional magazine “Nuestra Señora de La Peña”. This publication serves as a commemoration of previous editions, offering a retrospective look at the festival through the years, complete with pregones (proclamations) from the last decade and a collection of photographs from events held from 2009 to 2019. The special edition also features a series of traditional songs dedicated to the Virgen de la Peña, originally contributed in 1994 by Amparo Torres.

These initiatives embody a determined spirit to preserve tradition and foster community, even in the face of unprecedented challenges. The festivals remain a cherished touchstone of cultural identity for the inhabitants of Fuerteventura.