La Orotava Launches Fourth "¡Esto es Histórico!" History Festival

La Orotava has launched the fourth edition of its "¡Esto es Histórico!" (This is Historic!) festival. This event has become a key part of sharing history in the Canary Islands, even getting support from Spain's Ministry of Culture for the past two years. Started in 2023, the festival is now a leading event for historical education in the region.

The latest festival was announced yesterday. Those present included Francisco Linares, the town's mayor; Emilia Vié, the festival director; and José Maza, who represents booksellers and publishers and is also on the festival's advisory board, Senato. The festival will take place from Friday to Sunday in the Plaza de La Constitución, which will serve as the main activity hub.

The "¡Esto es Histórico!" program is designed for everyone, aiming to make history easy to understand and engaging. It features book launches, historical tours, workshops, and activities for schoolchildren and families. Beyond stalls for booksellers and authors, visitors can explore a traditional craft market with local artisans and watch films about the town's heritage. Mayor Linares highlighted the event's two main goals: to encourage an interest in reading and history, while also promoting local heritage and traditions.

Emilia Vié noted how much the festival has grown since it began. She described it as an initiative that started with strong determination and has now become a regional leader. This growth is clear from the support it receives from various institutions, including the La Orotava City Council, the Government of the Canary Islands, and, notably, the Ministry of Culture.

José Maza, for his part, stressed the importance of books and historical research. He sees them as a way to explore the past and understand how it affects us today. He believes this kind of study helps people think critically and better understand the world around them. From this view, the festival connects writing with historical study, all designed to grab readers' interest. Everyone at the press conference agreed that history is vital for understanding how society began and developed, especially in today's uncertain world.

This year's festival will feature several authors and researchers, including Gregorio Sosa, Marga Sánchez Romero, Ignacio Martín Lerma, Tito Vivas, Daniel Corpas, Lucía Chacón, Miguel Ángel Cajigal (known as el Barroquista), María del Mar Rodríguez, Jesús Barranco, and José Antonio Lucero. They will meet the public and sign copies of their books. A new addition this year is a dedicated area for fantasy literature. This genre provides creative ways to look at past times and is a major influence on much of today's fiction.