Festivals THE VIRGIN FESTIVAL The Patron Saint Festival in honor of the Virgin of Guía takes place during the first fortnight of August. The bid day is the 15th, featuring a morning procession and the Flower Battle in the afternoon. Many cultural events are held during this time, with the “papagüevos” parades (giant papier-mâché figures and true stars of the festivities), the float parade, and the aforementioned Flower Battle standing out. LAS MARÍAS FESTIVAL
Santa María de Guía Tourist Information Office Calle Marqués del Muni, 34 35450 Santa María de Guía Tel: (+34) 928 896 555 ext 403 turismo@santamariadeguia.es www.descubreguia.com
This festival commemorates the tradition of the Vergara vow made in 1811, when local farmers promised to descend every year from the “medianías” (midlands of the island) to Guía in gratitude to the Virgin for delivering them from a major locust plague. The festival is held every year on the third weekend of September and consists of two main events: the Bajada de la Rama (Branch Procession) from the “medianías” to Guía on the Saturday, and the Procession and Pilgrimage on the Sunday at noon. During these events, the sound of conch shells and drums is prominent, echoing the instruments used to scare off the plague. The pilgrimage is said to be one of the purest, most beautiful, and traditional in all the Canary Islands.
SANTA MARÍA DE GUÍA
Cuisine
TYPICAL PRODUCTS FROM THE MUNICIPALITY Flower Cheese Guía Sweets Lengüillas cakes
THE CHEESE FESTIVAL
Typical Recipe
Held in two editions: the last weekend of April in the historic center and the first weekend of May in Montaña Alta. Cheesemakers and other artisans offer their best products, with tastings of typical foods and demonstrations of traditional activities related to livestock and herding.
“Media Flor” Cheese Croquettes INGREDIENTS 200 gr. Butter 200 gr. Flour 1 L. Milk 200 gr. Onions 3 Cloves of garlic 150. gr. Bacon 100 gr. Dates 150 gr. “Media Flor” Cheese Flour 1 Egg, beaten Bread crumbs Frying oil
Gran Canaria Tourist Board Triana, 93 35002 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Tel: (+34) 928 219 600 Fax: (+34) 928 219 601 PREPARATION
www.grancanaria.com
Llegada Rama Las Marías.
MUNICIPALITIES OF GRAN CANARIA
Finely chop the onion and garlic, and leave to simmer in a pan with the bacon and the butter, avoiding it to change its colour. Make a roux, adding the flour and butter, stir for a while and add the milk, little by little. Leave to simmer, season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Let it thicken while stirring constantly, and when it’s nearly done add the “media flor” cheese and the dates, chopped. Leave aside until cold. Form the croquettes and dip in flour, egg and finally bread crumbs. Fry in abundant hot oil. Serve with tomato marmalade.