Artebirgua Festival Celebrates 10 Years in Gáldar
At the end of June, Gáldar hosted the Artebirgua literary festival, attracting around 100 attendees from Thursday, June 25, to Sunday, June 28. This year featured notable guests, including Angel Sánchez, a Canary Islands Prize winner from Gáldar, alongside renowned figures like Pepe Dámaso, Elsa López, and Cecilia Domínguez, the latter being a frequent participant. Lucía Rosa González and Antonio Arroyo represented La Palma.
The festival brought together residents from across the islands, from various generations, in the scenic yet rugged landscape characterised by steep roads and now-water-filled reservoirs like Los Pérez. Notably absent this year was Lanzarote’s Félix Hormiga, who was missed by many.
The quiet and isolation of the Sacred Mountains of Risco Caído have become familiar to visitors, particularly those navigating narrow roads to Barranco Hondo and El Hornillo. In a new development, a couple has opened a bar next to the Santo Domingo church, which serves as a social hub for weekend visitors returning to their childhood homes.
Historically, the region thrived on agriculture, benefiting from abundant water that supported traditional farming techniques. However, excessive extraction through wells and reservoirs has strained local water resources. Despite these changes, the tradition of sheepherding remains.
Juncalillo, once a vibrant rural community, has faced decline as residents moved to urban areas for work in tomato cultivation and tourism. Today, the village has an ageing population, with only a few younger residents staying connected to their roots.
Manuel Díaz, the poet-baker, and his wife, Noelia, lead the festival’s organisation, coordinating a busy team to welcome participants, especially from Tenerife, along with occasional guests from mainland Spain. Numerous events took place, often overlapping in timing.
Juncalillo is a unique place, steeped in solitude. It has produced 26 clergymen and 33 nuns, including Jesús Pérez Rodríguez, who served as Auxiliary Bishop of Sucre before becoming the Archbishop of Sucre and later Bolivia’s primate. Another notable figure is Monsignor José Rodríguez, known for his humanitarian efforts in the Canaries, having been personally made a Monsignor by Pope John Paul II in 1993.
Nestled over 1,200 metres above sea level, the village spreads across valleys, with the well-maintained church at its heart. The cave houses, a distinctive feature, also connect to the neighbouring village of Artenara.
Artebirgua marks a decade of literary celebration atop Gáldar, continuing to foster a love of literature in this tranquil setting.
