Sacramental Play to Celebrate Historical Battle in Valle de Guerra
The town of Valle de Guerra will host the auto sacramental, or sacramental play, on Saturday, 17 October, starting at 2:00 PM. The event commemorates the historic Battle of Lepanto in 1571, which featured Canarian soldiers led by Captain Francisco Díaz Pimienta, as documented in records housed at the Church of El Salvador in Santa Cruz de La Palma.
The first part of the Librea took place on 7 October, with a procession of the Virgin of El Rosario accompanied by her boat and squadron. This squadron is the oldest part of the Librea.
Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, mayor of La Laguna, remarked at a press conference that “The Librea of Valle de Guerra is one of the most important cultural events in the Canary Islands and improves every year. It exemplifies community spirit and participation, with culture as a central pillar of society.” The press event featured a small representation from the Librea group.
Guillermo López Reyes, president of the Friends of the Librea Association, noted that “the plaza of Valle de Guerra will become a grand theatre showcasing the efforts of the community throughout the year. This isn’t just an annual event; it’s part of the village’s identity. This year, we have introduced the project into schools where teachers have access to a workbook about the Librea.”
The event attracts around 250 participants, with about 100 portraying various characters. Costumes that reflect the historical period are crafted by a team including Alexis González, Encarna Reyes, and Juani Hernández, with guidance from Burka Teatro. The play is expected to draw around 2,500 spectators, with 1,200 chairs and 15 places reserved for those with reduced mobility.
The performance will also be streamed live on the social media channels of the La Laguna City Council.
This year’s official poster for the Librea, created by Daniel González Acosta, uses oil on canvas to create a scene depicting Don Juan of Austria’s ship, La Real, sailing amid the clouds over Valle de Guerra, capturing both fantasy and the village’s real landscape.
The Librea has deep historical roots; the earliest documentation dates back to 2 October 1803, recorded in “Memorias” by Juan Primo de la Guerra. The event has received several accolades, including recognition as a Cultural Heritage of Interest in 2007, and was declared a Tourist Festival of Interest in the Canary Islands in June this year.
The Librea remains a key cultural identity for the residents of Valle de Guerra, passed down through generations, and has the support of the cultural, historical heritage, and tourism departments of La Laguna City Council, as well as contributions from the local community.
