The Cabildo of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, in collaboration with the Lanzarote Art and Tourism Centres (CACT), launched a cultural initiative called ‘Entre Cuerdas’ on Monday, 14 September. This project aims to bring traditional Canarian music to community centres and teleclubs across Lanzarote and La Graciosa through a series of gatherings featuring local music groups.
The presentation was attended by Oswaldo Betancort, president of the Cabildo, Migdalia Machín, the Canary Islands’ Minister of Universities, Science, and Culture, and Jesús Machín, the Cabildo’s Cultural Councillor. Betancort emphasised the project’s goal of reigniting community spirit by bringing music back to local social hubs, stressing that parrandas—traditional music groups—play a vital role in maintaining the island’s musical heritage.
The first edition of ‘Entre Cuerdas’ will feature eight events across Arrecife, San Bartolomé, Haría, Tías, Yaiza, Tinajo, Teguise, and La Graciosa. Each gathering is expected to attract around 600 attendees, with an overall target of approximately 5,000 participants, supported by three parrandas, local businesses, and community groups at each event.
Migdalia Machín highlighted the project’s importance in bridging traditional culture with younger generations by bringing programming into local community spaces. She noted that parrandas are essential to festive activities on the island, and this initiative aims to strengthen local identity. “This project is here to stay,” she asserted, affirming the government’s full support for enhancing popular cultural expressions across all municipalities.
Cultural Councillor Jesús Machín added that parrandas are central to the community, providing a means to celebrate and share local culture. He encouraged everyone to participate in ‘Entre Cuerdas’ beginning on 26 September, as it promises to blend tradition, culture, and identity—a reflection of the island’s past, present, and future.
The project will also serve as a platform for local social interaction, making community centres vital to the events. A second phase will culminate in a larger closing gathering, with details on the date and location to be announced later, anticipating attendance of over 2,500 people.
