La Laguna Plans Roma Culture Center

La Laguna is set to get a new Roma Culture Center. It will be built on a city-owned plot of land on Rector José Escobedo y González Alberu street, in the El Rocío neighborhood of La Cuesta.

To make this happen, the City Council's Public Works and Infrastructure department has set aside 148,000 euros in its 2026 budget. This money will cover the cost of designing the center, which will detail all its features. The design work will be commissioned either through a bidding process or directly.

This project is being developed in partnership with the Romi Kamela Nakerar Association of Roma Women. Its president, Josefa Santiago, said the center would be "a dream come true" for their community and fulfills a promise made by Mayor Luis Yeray Gutiérrez.

Santiago explained that the center is envisioned as a hub for Roma women and their families. It will include a support office, a large space for events like meetings, dedicated office facilities, resources for women in need, and other areas designed to help integrate and develop the Roma community at all levels.

Founded in 1996 in La Candelaria neighborhood of La Laguna, the Romi Kamela Nakerar Association of Roma Women has since worked on numerous projects. Their aim is to improve the quality of life for Roma families in the Canary Islands and build support networks across La Laguna.

The association also hosts the Romí Awards Gala every April 8th. Since 2014, with city council support, they have organized the Romí Flamenco International Festival City of La Laguna, which held its most recent edition last Thursday and Friday.

In recognition of her significant contributions, the city council named a square in La Cuesta (on Tazacorte street) after Josefa Santiago in October 2023. At the inauguration, the mayor highlighted her "excellent work" in advocating for equal rights and opportunities for Roma women and girls, benefiting the city of La Laguna.