Vallehermoso presenta el programa oficial de las Fiestas Lustrales 2025

The Plenary Hall of the City Council of Vallehermoso hosted this Friday the presentation of the program for the 2025 Lustral Festivities, an extensive program lasting over two months where popular, sporting, and above all, devotional events once again set the rhythm of the municipality, which thus recovers its traditional celebration in this lustral year.

During the event, the Mayor of Vallehermoso, Emiliano Coello; the President of the Island Council, Casimiro Curbelo; the Councilor for Culture, Estrella Morales; the parish priest of Vallehermoso, Kevin Barroso; the President of the Festivities Committee, José Luis Cabrera; César Rodríguez, representing Fred Olsen; as well as the author of the poster and the festivities’ herald, Arón Morales, all took part.

The Mayor of Vallehermoso, Emiliano Coello, highlighted that the Lustral Festivities represent an emotional reunion with the tradition, faith, and collective identity of the municipality. «The Descent of the Virgin of Carmen from the Barranco de El Ingenio symbolizes the unity of neighborhoods and generations, illuminating with its passage the memory, pride, and hope of the people,» he stated.

He also pointed out that it is a moment to share, remember those who are no longer with us, and celebrate what unites us, with a program that combines culture and devotion thanks to the efforts of the City Council, the Festivities Committee, the Island Council, as well as the parish and Fred Olsen.

The President of the La Gomera Island Council, Casimiro Curbelo, emphasized that the Lustral Festivities of Vallehermoso represent an event of great importance for the island’s identity, as it is a tradition that strengthens the ties of the island and reinforces the cultural heritage of the municipality. «Every five years, Vallehermoso becomes an altar and a square, a promise and a celebration. And when the Virgin of Carmen descends among chácaras and drums, it will not only be an image coming down from El Ingenio, but the entire soul of La Gomera revealing itself to embrace us all.» He also stressed that this celebration not only has religious value but also social and symbolic, becoming a meeting point for generations and a space for neighbors, families, and visitors to reunite.

Curbelo also reported that the Island Council has allocated resources to support the organization of the scheduled events, in collaboration with the City Council of Vallehermoso. This contribution will allow for the realization of concerts, fairs, and cultural activities. «Let the chácaras sound, let the drums speak, let the streets be filled with steps and hugs, because the Lustral Festivities are not just told, they are felt, lived, remembered, and dreamed until they return once again,» he expressed.

A program designed for all audiences

For two months, the municipality will be filled with numerous musical, cultural, sporting, and religious events, highlighting, among others, the presentation of candidates for Adult Queen, which will take place on May 24 at 9:30 p.m. in Plaza del Carmen.

The traditional Bringing of the Fire will start on Monday, June 9 from La Rajita to continue its route to Chipude on June 10, with the next stop being El Cercado the following day and arriving in Alojera on June 12. Spectacles and performances of high level will be held at each point in the municipality.

On Friday, June 13, the fire will arrive in Vallehermoso, the day when Arón Morales, the author of the poster and the program designer, will proclaim the Lustral Festivities under the title «I would like to be Vallehermoso with all five senses.» The proclamation will take place at 9:00 p.m. in the Church square.

Another of the most popular events will take place on June 20 with the celebration of the XXIII Pedro Suárez Festival, featuring a performance by Achamán. One day later, on Saturday, June 21, the Gala for the election of the Adult Queen will take place at 9:30 p.m., while the Gala for the Child King and Queen will be held on Sunday, June 22 starting at 7:00 p.m. The Gala for the Elderly Queen will be celebrated on June 26. Finally, the Romera Gala will take place on July 11 in the Church square.

The eve of San Juan, the most important night of the year in Vallehermoso, will once again bring the traditional bonfires whose lighting will take place as the Patron Saint passes by, starting at 9:30 p.m. A grand ball will enliven the night with performances by Grupo Tentación and Grupo Amanecer de La Gomera. The following day, the traditional Witches’ Dance will take place starting at 9:30 p.m.

The Atlantic Sonoro Festival returns once again to the municipality, specifically between June 27 and 29, featuring performances by Pieles and Said Muti, as well as various workshops and the popular wooden sculpture by artist Luigi Stinga.

One of the highlights will be the commitment to the 2025 Vallehermoso Festival, which will bring top artists to the municipality such as Óscar de León (on July 5, the day of ‘El Polvazo’), Tigres del Norte on July 6, and Los Salvapantallas and Ni un Pelo de Tonto on July 4, as part of the Rock Festival.

But humor will also have a very important section, as on June 17, the humor festival will take place, bringing to the main stage Kike Pérez, Petit Lorena, and Ayoze Pérez, all starting from 9:00 p.m.

The Descent of the Virgin of El Carmen

Highlighted in red on the calendar of any resident of Vallehermoso, on July 16, after the celebration of the Eucharist in Plaza del Carmen at 4:00 p.m., the Descent of the Virgin will begin, who will be received in Plaza de la Constitución at 10:00 p.m., at which time the honorary and perpetual mayoress’s baton of office will be bestowed upon her, and the Ave Maria will be sung, this time performed by Silvia Zorita.

Subsequently, the transfer to the parish will take place until Thursday, the 19th, when she will descend to the beach. That afternoon, on the main stage, the ‘La Osha’ show will be held, in homage to Orishas, upon the return of the sacred image to the Vallehermoso town center. Finally, the ascent to El Ingenio will take place on the 22nd starting at 5:00 p.m. after the end of the Eucharist, with the Folkloric Festival and subsequent ball in Carmen taking place that night.

Culture and sports

Culture and sports will also play a very important role, highlighting numerous actions featuring Pedro García Cabrera, including musical-poetic recitals, theatrical dramatizations, reading workshops, conferences, and a theatrical performance. There will also be exhibitions, book presentations, or a new edition of the popular Song Festival, which will take place on June 19 at 9:00 p.m. on that occasion.

Among the most important sporting events are Football Day on June 28, the II Barranco del Ingenio Trail on June 4 and 5, the Javi Beirán Campus on the 9th, or the traditional Virgen del Carmen Cycling Tour on August 2.

The entire program is available on the official social media channels of the event, designed by the author of the poster and the herald of the Lustral Festivities, Arón Morales.

This program has been developed by the City Council of Vallehermoso, the Island Council of La Gomera, the San Juan Bautista Parish, and the 2025 Lustral Festivities Committee, with the collaboration of the Government of the Canary Islands and the sponsorship of Fred. Olsen.