Juan Cabrera honours at La Peña the memory of those who survived through farming

Antigua mayor Juan Cabrera has championed the memory of generations of Fuerteventura residents who relied on farming and livestock rearing for their livelihood during celebrations for the feast of the Virgen de La Peña. The float presented by the municipality paid tribute to the men and women who worked the land in difficult conditions.

“We have paid what I believe is an important tribute to the island of Fuerteventura and to its customs and traditions of the past,” Cabrera explained. The display focused in particular on rural communities and the hardships faced by farmers and livestock breeders for years.

The mayor stressed the importance of preserving this part of the island’s history and passing it on to new generations. “I believe this needs to be reflected on, and we must not forget it over time,” he said.

Antigua’s float recreated a way of life connected to the land, at a time when farming was essential to the livelihoods of many families in Fuerteventura. “In the past, working the land really was how people survived,” the mayor recalled.

Cabrera also linked this collective tribute to his own family memories. He said his father continued the tradition of visiting the Virgen de La Peña well into old age. “My father told me that, even when he was over ninety, he was always there to visit the Virgen de La Peña,” he said.

The mayor ended by congratulating everyone who took part in the celebrations, especially the people of the municipality. “Congratulations to everyone, and to all the people of Antigua. And, of course, long live our patron saint, the Virgen de La Peña,” he concluded.