Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Host 'Singer-songwriters for Peace' Commemorating Anti-Militarist History

This Friday, November 13, the Equipo PARA space in Santa Cruz de Tenerife will host a special event celebrating the history of activism in the Canary Islands. Starting at 8:30 p.m., the "Singer-songwriters for Peace" recital—part of the 12th DocuRock International Festival—will honor the legacy of the anti-militarist movement that defined a generation in the archipelago.

The event is more than just a concert; it is a way to preserve collective memory. It marks the 39th anniversary of a 1989 gathering where artists and young people united to challenge mandatory military service. That meeting helped launch the Conscientious Objection Movement, a platform for those who refused to bear arms, many of whom faced prison time for their beliefs.

During that era, music was a powerful tool for spreading these ideals. Artists from rock, punk, and folk backgrounds—including Sito Morales, Rogelio Botanz, Javier Krahe, Luis Pastor, and Arístides Moreno—used their performances to voice dissent. Their concert series, which reached venues ranging from the University of La Laguna to the Tenerife II prison, played a vital role in building a critical social consciousness.

This commemorative edition will feature performances by Mofusco, La Cangreja, and Dany Martínez. Entry is free until the venue reaches capacity. The event is supported by the Cabildo of Tenerife, the Government of the Canary Islands, and the city councils of La Laguna and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, providing official recognition to a movement that was once at the heart of one of the most significant civil struggles of the Spanish Transition.