Anyone who has enjoyed a stay in one of our villas in Playa Blanca over the last week will have been aware of some large scale local celebrations. As the town has been marking the annual fiesta of the Virgin del Carmen since July 10th.
But what are the roots and significance of this festival?
The Virgin del Carmen is one of the Catholic faith’s many manifestations of the Virgin Mary – but in Spain in particular this saint is widely regarded as the most important patron of the sea and is even the official talisman of the Spanish navy.
On an island such as Lanzarote where we are of course surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean sea faring and fishing once central to survival, so this particular saint has assumed even more significance.
The main focus of this fiesta is therefore religous, but the celebations have become increasingly secular over the last 50 years. So whilst local fishermen still parade an icon of Neustra Senora del Carmen at sea, celebrations on dry land take a more predictable route, involving plenty of dancing and carousing.
The main maritime procession in Playa Blanca took place last weekend and was accompanied by the Yaiza Municipal Band, as locals paraded the icon through the streets before taking to the sea, where the Virgin’s flotilla encompassed hundreds of small boats, inlcuding 14 vessels that Are the last remaining remnants of Playa Blanca’s fishing fleet.
This is always a great time of year to be visiting the resort, so if you’re keen to discover more about the ‘real Lanzarote’ why not plan your next villa holiday in Playa Blanca around the Fiesta of the Virgin del Carmen?
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