Tejina Celebrates Traditional ‘Día de los Corazones’ Festival

The "Día de los Corazones" (Day of the Hearts) in Tejina, La Laguna, once again brought the local community together this Sunday, proving why it remains one of the Canary Islands' most unique cultural traditions. Held in honor of Saint Bartholomew, the festival drew hundreds of people to celebrate rural craftsmanship and local identity.

Recognized as an Asset of Cultural Interest, the festival is a massive community effort. For months, neighborhood associations from El Pico, Calle Arriba, and Calle Abajo work to build three monumental structures. Each heart stands twelve meters tall and weighs over one hundred kilograms, decorated with local produce and artisanal breads that reflect the region’s agricultural history and connect younger generations to their roots.

The highlight of the event, attended by Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo and La Laguna Mayor Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, saw groups of twenty to thirty people carry the hearts to the church square. The process requires perfect timing, as the teams must move in sync with local folk music. Once blessed, the structures were hoisted onto poles, where they will remain on display until Monday.

The festival concludes on Monday afternoon with the "Descuelgue," or unhooking. During this final event, the hearts are taken down, and the fruits, vegetables, and breads used to decorate them are shared among the attendees. This tradition of sharing symbolizes generosity and abundance, reinforcing the strong community spirit that keeps this vital part of Tejina’s heritage alive year after year.