Agaete, in the north of Gran Canaria, celebrates this festival in honor of the Virgin of the Snows.
The tradition involves thousands of dancers who parade through the streets to the rhythm of music, waving branches in the air until they reach the shrine of the Virgin. It is common to see participants hitting the sea with their branches. This is done in remembrance of the aboriginal rite with which the Canarians supposedly prayed for rain from the gods in ancient times. The event ends with the religious offering of branches to the Virgin.
The dances are held every year on August 4th. The following day, the festival continues with a pilgrimage that takes the Virgin of the Snows from her shrine to the parish of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción in Agaete. She remains there for a couple of weeks until she is returned to her shrine.
Our friends from TEA Agaete are also decorating the facade of their space with Paco Arana, another good friend, artist, and even better person. This year, we collaborated with them by collecting Christmas wrapping paper. Building community, helping, decorating, and recycling.
With only a few people at Soppa today because it’s August, some coworkers have gone to the party that lasts all night and continues into the morning.
That’s what summer is like; it turns everything into magic. Well, here in the city, it’s spring all year round.
And Soppa continues its work routine: offices, rooms, exhibitions, goodbyes, and some welcomes.
Good Branch to all