Cultural Project ‘El Mentidero’ Arrives in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura
The cultural initiative ‘El Mentidero’ is set to bring its unique community-focused sessions to Lanzarote and Fuerteventura this weekend. This project aims to revitalise public spaces across the Canary Islands by promoting cultural exchange through storytelling, dialogue, and intergenerational play.
Launched under the umbrella of the ‘Culture and Roots’ programme by the Canary Islands Cultural Development Institute (ICDC), ‘El Mentidero’ encourages residents to gather outdoors and reconnect with traditional ways of sharing culture. It seeks to foster a sense of community and memory, especially by engaging with the stories of older generations.
Migdalia Machín, the Canary Islands Culture Minister, emphasised that this initiative highlights how culture is built through conversation and collective memory. Reinforcing these traditional gatherings is crucial for strengthening bonds between generations and keeping cultural roots alive.
Upcoming ‘El Mentidero’ Events
The sessions are open to all and are scheduled as follows:
- Lanzarote: Saturday, 18 July, at 10:30 am in Plaza de La Santa, Tinajo.
- Fuerteventura: Sunday, 19 July, from 10:00 am in Plaza de Tetir, Puerto del Rosario.
Gatherings without Screens
Each event will kick off with intimate discussions featuring local elders. Participants, seated together, will engage in open-ended conversations that prompt them to share memories of their villages. These gatherings will be device-free, aiming to replicate the informal meeting spots from the past where neighbours would catch up on daily life.
Following the storytelling, attendees can enjoy traditional outdoor games, concluding the day with live music. The organisers invite everyone to bring their instruments for an impromptu jam session.
After a successful launch in Gran Canaria in May, ‘El Mentidero’ continues its journey, with plans to visit El Hierro on 25 July, further connecting communities through shared dialogue.
