The itinerant cultural project 'El Mentidero' lands this weekend in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura with the aim of reactivating the social and cultural use of public squares through orality, traditional games, and music.
The squares of La Santa, in Tinajo (Lanzarote), and Tetir, in Puerto del Rosario (Fuerteventura), will become this Saturday and Sunday stages for an intergenerational gathering without screens or microphones. El Mentidero, an initiative of the Canary Islands Institute of Cultural Development (ICDC), aims to restore these spaces to their original function as a meeting point for locals.
The Culture Councillor of the Canary Islands Government, Migdalia Machín, has emphasised that the initiative "reminds us that culture is also built from words and collective memory." In her statements, recorded by the ICDC, Machín added that "recovering these traditional forms of gathering is key to strengthening bonds between generations and keeping our roots alive."
A programme without haste or technology
Each session will begin with an intimate talk with the elders of the area. Sitting on benches and chairs, participants will respond to open questions that invite them to remember the past of their village. There will be no microphones, stages, or mobile phones, emulating the old mentideros where neighbours gathered to chat about everyday life.
After the life stories, it will be time for traditional outdoor games. The organisation has prepared a session designed for children and adults to share laughter and challenges. The grand finale will be an spontaneous parranda: attendees are invited to bring their own instruments to join in the music in the square.
Upcoming events in the archipelago
The project successfully launched last May in Gran Canaria and is now continuing its route through the islands. The first event will be on Saturday, July 18 at 10:30 AM in the Plaza de La Santa (Tinajo, Lanzarote). The following day, Sunday, July 19 from 10:00 AM, the activity will move to the Plaza de Tetir (Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura).
Entry is free and open to all. The ICDC has confirmed that, after these two stops, El Mentidero will visit El Hierro on July 25, aiming to continue uniting communities through words and oral tradition.
For the residents of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, this is a unique opportunity to rediscover the value of squares as spaces for real encounters, away from digitalisation. Furthermore, it serves as a tribute to the memory of the elders, guardians of stories that deserve to be heard.
"Recovering these traditional forms of gathering is key to strengthening bonds between generations and keeping our roots alive," highlighted Migdalia Machín.
The initiative is supported by the 'Culture and Roots' programme of the ICDC, which promotes projects that encourage citizen participation and the preservation of intangible heritage. Those wishing to attend only need a desire to share and, if possible, a musical instrument for the final parranda.
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