Valsequillo Prepares for 40th ‘Release of the Cursed Dog’
On the night of 28 September, the Gran Canaria village of Valsequillo will once again unleash its long-standing tradition, the ‘Release of the Cursed Dog,’ now in its 40th edition. This vibrant event combines tradition with theatre, fire, music, and community participation, transforming the streets into a stage for the timeless battle between good and evil.
As the eve of San Miguel approaches, Valsequillo undergoes a dramatic transformation. When midnight strikes, the dark becomes part of the spectacle, signalling the moment when, according to local tradition, the Cursed Dog is freed from its chains.
The event takes place every year on 28 September, the night before the feast of San Miguel, the town’s patron saint. Over the years, it has evolved into one of Valsequillo’s most unique cultural celebrations and is deeply tied to its local festivities.
The origins of the celebration are linked to the figure of San Miguel and his confrontation with the devil. A pivotal image in this story is a statue of San Miguel crafted in 1804 by renowned Gran Canarian sculptor José Luján Pérez. This religious icon has fostered the local legend of the Cursed Dog, which depicts the devil taking the form of a chained dog that escapes on the eve of San Miguel, causing chaos until order is eventually restored.
What started as a popular tale has developed into a grand collective performance. The event now features amateur actors, local residents, dancers, acrobats, and numerous contributors, creating a show rich in costumes, makeup, lighting, music, choreography, and pyrotechnics, resulting in a unique atmosphere.
The drama often highlights contemporary societal issues, allowing for fresh interpretations and new characters each year, while the Cursed Dog remains the anticipated highlight.
A key factor in the festival’s enduring success is the involvement of Valsequillo’s residents. Behind the brief performance lies weeks of preparation. In 2024, over a hundred locals contributed to the event, many aspects of which remain secret until the night of the show. For the upcoming 40th edition, community involvement will take on even greater significance.
The local council has announced changes to the event’s organisation for 2026. It will now be a municipal cultural project run in partnership with citizens, moving away from previous external management. Six mixed committees will focus on aspects such as scriptwriting, costume design, music, and overall organisation, aiming to ensure the villagers are not just spectators but active creators of the celebration.
This milestone edition also reflects on the festival’s roots. A new poster created by young Gran Canarian illustrator Brian Medina Santana reinterprets the historic image of San Miguel, visually depicting the struggle between light and darkness at the heart of the event.
The cultural history of Valsequillo traces back to the early 1980s when the Almogarén Cultural Collective staged the first ‘Release of the Cursed Dog’. Since then, generations have kept the legend alive, each adding their own twist.
During this special night, the village becomes more than just a backdrop; it becomes part of the performance. The streets, plaza, church, and darkness engage with the audience, immersing them in the experience.
Each edition introduces fresh elements while maintaining the shared ritual: the anticipation of midnight on 28 September. In 2026, this wait will resonate with the significance of four decades of history. It will be a night to honour all those who initiated the celebration, nurtured its growth, and contributed through sewing costumes, preparing sets, rehearsing characters, crafting narratives, or simply joining the crowd to hear the familiar call that the Cursed Dog is unleashed.
As the clock strikes twelve and Valsequillo descends into darkness, the legend will come alive once more, and for the 40th time, the Cursed Dog will break free from its chains.
