Back in July we posted an article entitled Lanzarote Folk Set Fine Example, that remains stored in our easy to navigater archives of over seven hundred articles This was written after a public holiday weekend during which we had seen Yaiza Choir perform during an open-air Mass in the town square in front of the church in Playa Blanca. It had special significance to me, not because I am in any way religious but rather because the event symbolised the gentlesness and peacefulness of this island people, who have made us so welcome since we retired here in 2015. In fact, several members of this choir are friends of my wife so we try to follow them wherever we can. We have seen them give many folk-loric performances too, full of songs that celebrate the landscape, the weather and, of course, the sea. These folk-songs are always imbued with a gratitude for that lifestyle. So, come follow your art down sidetracks $ detours to Yaiza and Playa Blanca to hear of a choir celebrating our life style.
It was great to see La Voz recently carrying news of the Yaiza Choir, and telling of a neat piece of serendipity that saw the opening of a yearly religious celebration align with the marking of a significant anniversary for a choir that plays such a part in the religious events on the island, and much more besides.
Voz noted that ´With the reading of the proclamation by the Yaiza Choir, which turns 25 this year, the festivities in honour of Our Lady of Los Remedios officially began.
The event was held in the assembly hall of the Casa de la Cultura Benito Pérez Armas, a venue that is getting smaller and smaller for all the people who want to attend the main act of the celebrations. The Yaiza Choir kicked off the event by performing two songs, Si Buenos Aíres no fue asi and Un sarao de la Chacona.
Subsequently, Nuvi Tavio, director of the choir, was in charge of reading the proclamation in which she highlighted some of the many year, such as the Sunday Mass, Holy Week, and festivals such as Los Remedios, etc.
Nuvi explained that “for our Choir it has always been a privilege to be able to hold our “Choral Encounters” and “Christmas Concerts” in the Yaiza church. ” And we also want to thank you for the opportunity it gives us every September 8 when, with our songs we accompany the Mass in honour of Our Lady of Los Remedios”.
“This year, in addition, we have expanded our participation as a result of the “First Musical Meeting”, which took place in the church of Yaiza, at the initiative of the parish priest Jonathan Almeida, prior to Holy Week, which has been very well received by both those attending the event as well as the participants”, continued the director.
She also explained that “singing is part of a universal language that has been practiced by all cultures throughout history and has modelled with its sounds and harmonies the expression of our emotions and deepest experiences. According to neuroscience. through singing we put into operation areas of our brain that provide us with greater well-being. In fact sining is considered a great generator moments lived during the 25 years.
The Yaiza Choir was created in 1997, at the proposal of the Department of Culture, to bring this modality of singing closer to the new generations. Choral singing in Yaiza began in the 1950s with the Choir of the Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios which, in that period, accompanied with its voices the various religious celebrations that took place throughout the of benefits for our physical and mental health. Its practice in a group is recommended for people of all ages since the interaction of the group, through the breathing, the melody and the rhythm of the voices, bring us closer to emotions related to joy, optimism and happiness”.
Nuvi also had words to remember the Covid, “our Coral celebrates this year, 25 years of its activity, its silver anniversary of a whole career. This has been a long road, full of happy moments, in which we have been able to adapt to the changes and new situations. In March 2020, under the uncertainty of Covid, we had to close the doors of our rehearsal room. But a few weeks later, our desire to continue working, learning and meeting (even if it was virtually), did not change. Thus began a new journey for the Choir, our rehearsals were carried out from an online platform and, in this way, we have continued with our activity until today that we have returned again to our beloved venue.
We are here to pay tribute to all the colleagues who have been part of this Vocal Group of Yaiza and in a very special way to those who are no longer with us. During these years we have participated in the different event held in Lanzarote by other groups, also taking our songs to residences and hospitals at Christmas time to bring joy to our elders”,
The Musical Director ended the proclamation by wishing everyone to enjoy the scheduled acts, dismissing this proclamation with some lines that were composed by a member of the Yaiza Parish Choir to the Virgen de los Remedios.
“Virgin of Los Remedios, Mother Queen of Yaiza
we sing for you with peace and hope.
We come to your side, beloved little Virgin.
let your grace be our abode.
Your people venerate you, ask you with longing.
that you guide our steps in our walk.
Pure, beautiful Virgin, Glory of the Lord,
from the garden of heaven, the most beautiful flower.
Your Kingdom is justice, truth and love.
Your kingdom is in us, within the heart.
Virgin of Los Remedios, Mother of the Lord,
of the people of Yaiza, our salvation.
Long live the Virgin of Los Remedios!”
The director was accompanied at the presidential table by the parish priest of Yaiza, Jonathan José Almeida, the Mayor of the Yaiza town hall, Óscar Noda and the councillor for Fiestas, Javier Camacho, and in the assembly hall the municipal councilors, the president of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, María Dolores Corujo and more civil and military authorities.
The event closed with the song to the Virgin of Los Remedios.´
The last time we heard the choir sing was in the town hall square outside the church in Playa Blanca at an open-air mass to celebrate anther religious event on the island.in July.
We look forward to the next twenty five years.
