La Laguna Decentralizes Cultural Events Through New University Partnership

San Cristóbal de La Laguna is decentralizing its cultural scene following a new agreement between the City Council and the University of La Laguna (ULL). The partnership allows the Faculty of Fine Arts parking lot at the Guajara Campus to be used as a venue for large-scale events.

This shift is part of an urban strategy to balance cultural life with the needs of residents in the historic center. High attendance and noise levels in traditional public spaces have prompted Mayor Luis Yeray Gutiérrez’s administration to look toward the city’s outskirts. The Guajara site was chosen because it proved successful as a performance space during the pandemic, when it was adapted to host events under strict safety guidelines.

The new venue will host its first event, the Soplo de Letras Festival, on May 15 and 16. Originally planned for the central Plaza del Cristo, organizers moved the festival to the university campus to increase capacity and improve logistics for the music and comedy event.

From an urban planning perspective, the Guajara location offers better accessibility and can more easily accommodate large crowds. ULL Rector Francisco García and Mayor Gutiérrez view this agreement as the beginning of a long-term collaboration. The goal is to build a network of peripheral venues that support a vibrant cultural calendar while protecting the quality of life for those living in the city center.