Tetir’s wrestling arena fills for Asamblea Majorera’s 50th anniversary and tribute to those who shaped its history

Asamblea Majorera was founded 50 years ago by men and women who joined forces because of “their love for the land and the difficult situation Fuerteventura was experiencing”. Those are the words of Miguel Cabrera, Fuerteventura’s first senator. He was the first of the party’s historic figures to speak at yesterday’s large gathering at the Terrero de Tetir, attended by around 3,000 people, according to the organisers.

Elsa Quesada acted as master of ceremonies, introducing well-known “historic” members including Concha Fleitas, who represented the north of the island and was part of the first electoral list in La Oliva in 1979. She recalled the strong desire for change and improvement. Now at the helm of Raíz del Pueblo, Fleitas also used the occasion to stress that the island’s agriculture, livestock farming and fishing “should guarantee a livelihood for all its inhabitants”. She called for leaders to listen more, so that people can take a genuine part in all decision-making.

Speaking for Betancuria, P. Brito said AM had always stood by the livestock sector and defended rural life. Margarita González, from La Lajita, was a councillor on Pájara Town Council and recalled the “great enthusiasm for defending Fuerteventura and ensuring Pájara could develop”. “We weren’t even paid a salary,” she said, noting that it was not a wealthy council.

Carmen Martín, from Tuineje, spoke of the enthusiasm for working towards a fairer society. “We had to fight from the very beginning,” she said, “but we secured the first pact for progress.” She recalled the immense happiness of campaigning for election. She urged current members and young activists to keep fighting, and congratulated Lola García on this term in office: “She has managed to get a little more from the Island Council; it now reaches beyond Antigua, further south.” She also mentioned national MP Cristina Valido.

Tomás Chocho spoke about defending the island’s territory, recalling that “the Corralejo dunes exist thanks to Asamblea Majorera’s campaign. They are the beginnings of what is now the Natural Park and Isla de Lobos.” The campaigners received many threats, he said. The Saladar de Jandía, a protected area of scientific interest, faced a similar situation. He also referred to opposition to the proposed firing range in Pájara. “Don’t stop fighting,” he urged, calling for the area to be returned to agricultural use.

The moving, vivid testimonies unfolded in the arena, where music and carefully designed staging by Israel Reyes were also prominent. Althay Páez and Gara Alemán drew applause from the audience at an emotional event that also carried a strong political message.

The audience applauded Lola García, the first woman to lead the Fuerteventura Island Council. She praised the respect, hard work, sacrifice and honesty of the men and women who had gone before her, working for Fuerteventura. “And that is what we are doing,” she said, referring to the work being carried out by the institutions governing the island. She also referred to Canary Islands Government President Fernando Clavijo and MP Cristina Valido in connection with the effort to “move the El Charco power station to the location specified in Puerto del Rosario’s General Plan”. She also highlighted the role of Nuria Cabrera, her right-hand woman, in restoring Fuerteventura’s voice in the Senate.

After García’s speech, members of Más Ruines que Caín recreated the historic battles of Tamasite and Cuchillete, turning back the clock to commemorate the victory of the Majorero people, armed with sticks, over the corsairs. Asamblea Majorera invoked that same courageous, unyielding spirit.

Teodoro Sosa, Primero Canarias–Coalición Canaria’s candidate for Congress, called for nationalist forces to reunite after two decades of differences.

“I’m at home,” he said, recalling his ties to Asamblea Majorera and defending the agreement reached between the different parties. “They won’t be rubbing their hands together in Madrid any more,” he said.

MP Cristina Valido also invoked the spirit of Asamblea Majorera and the need to maintain an independent voice in state institutions to defend the interests of the Canary Islands.

Juanjo Rodríguez, the candidate for Congress, spoke of the “enormous responsibility” of representing the party in Madrid. “But all we have to do is follow the little path they mapped out for us 50 years ago, with the same courage and love for Fuerteventura.”

Nuria Cabrera, the candidate for the Senate representing Fuerteventura, said she was determined to follow in the footsteps of Miguel Cabrera and Claudina Morales. Fuerteventura has a voice, an identity and the right to decide its own future, she stressed. She called for unity and a spirit of collective participation, emphasising that “when Asamblea Majorera comes together, Fuerteventura progresses”.

After her speech, Olga Cerpa and Luis Morera took to the stage. Images of Fuerteventura were projected onto the arena floor and the giant screen above it as they performed.

Canary Islands Government President Fernando Clavijo also spoke, praising Lola García’s leadership of the Island Council and saying she had “rebuilt it after the state it was in”.

Mario Cabrera concluded by highlighting Fuerteventura’s progress over the past 50 years, during which the island “has leapt forward in time”. Before an audience fully behind him, Asamblea Majorera’s secretary-general secured a commitment to take the election caravan back out on the streets.

After Olga Cerpa and Mestisay performed, joined by Gara and Althay, whose contribution helped lift the audience’s spirits, a large flag bearing eight green stars was unfurled as an emotional finale to the event.