Arona’s "Creative Roots" Event Celebrates Local Heritage in El Fraile

The recent "Creative Roots" event in El Fraile highlights a growing effort by southern Tenerife municipalities to bring arts and culture directly into local neighborhoods. Organized by the Arona City Council’s Department of Culture, with support from the Lobos del Asfalto association, the initiative aimed to blend the area’s history with modern artistic expression.

Held at the Eduardo Oramas Alayón Civic Center, the event honored three significant local figures: Salvador González Alayón, Eduardo Oramas Alayón, and Gabriel Rancel González. Mayor Fátima Lemes Reverón and Culture Councilor Naím Yánez Alonso noted that these tributes are part of a broader goal to preserve local heritage. As the region experiences rapid demographic changes, officials are increasingly using culture to strengthen community bonds and celebrate local identity.

The day-long program featured a variety of activities. Artist Dani Paint created a mural inspired by local ethnography, while other events included outdoor drawing workshops and a parade by GuachipanDIXI. Students from IES Las Galletas gave a recital, and the folk group Amigos de Punta Rasca performed traditional music.

By hosting these activities in public squares and civic centers, the local government is making art more accessible and highlighting the importance of community spaces. These events help preserve oral history and recognize residents as the guardians of local tradition—an essential role in a diverse and evolving community like El Fraile.