Valle de Guerra Revives Lepanto Battle with Traditional "Librea" Play

Valle de Guerra celebrated one of its most cherished traditions last Saturday: the performance of the Librea. This play commemorates the historic Battle of Lepanto in 1571, where soldiers from the Canary Islands, led by Captain Francisco Díaz Pimienta, played a role.

As part of the festivities honoring the Virgen del Rosario, the Librea is a highlight for the people of Valle de Guerra. It's a symbol of the town, a tradition passed down through families. Each year, around 250 people participate, with 102 acting as different characters.

The Librea is a religious parade-like play dedicated to the Virgen del Rosario, the town's patron saint. Over time, it has evolved into a theatrical performance with live music from the Nuestra Señora de Lourdes band.

The original text was written by Juan Cairós and adapted by the Association of Friends of the Librea. This year, a scene featuring Marco Antonio Bragadín was brought back, and new female characters like Nurbanu and two Venetian courtesans were added.

Unai Jacob Marrero directed the Librea. The costumes, designed to reflect the clothing of the time, were created by Alexis González, Encarna Reyes, and Juani Hernández, with guidance from Burka Teatro. Alicia Díaz Barbuzano, a sculptor, ceramist, and painter, and her team were responsible for the play's props, including the castle. Díaz also designed the official poster.

The Librea is divided into four parts. It starts with a historical introduction, describing the events in Europe. This section features Miguel de Cervantes, Felipe II and his court, and Sultan Selim II. It then explains the events leading up to the war between the Christian and Turkish navies.

The main part of the play depicts the battle between the two fleets, led by Juan de Austria (for the Christians) and Alí Bajá (for the Ottomans).

Finally, the play shows the surrender, where the victors treat the defeated with respect, and an offering is made to the Virgen del Rosario.