Festivities in Fuerteventura have a clear traditional and religious character. Majoreros. Traditions and ancient customs are preserved in many festive manifestations. Most of the “fiestas” are centred around the various patron saints of the different churches and hermitages the island has.
Fuerteventura’s patron saint is “La Virgen de la Peña” (The Crag’s Virgin), as it was found in a rock. A “Romería” is celebrated every year in honour of the Virgen de la Peña. A “Romería” is a kind of one-day-pilgrimage where participants set out early in the morning towards the meeting point (usually a church or a hermitage that holds the remains of the patron saint). Inside, a popular meal is held and a mass is celebrated with all the participants singing and dancing traditional and religious songs in honour of the Virgin or Saint.
“Fiestas” and “Romerías” are a good occasion for the manifestation of traditional folk, particularly songs and dances. They are very popular and you can see different generations of the same family celebrating together.
On the other hand, Carnival is a celebration more oriented towards the alien population and visitors –within the Carnival celebrations there is a day dedicated to tourists. Here domestic and outside traditions are blended in a colouristic festivity.
Carnival is not celebrated at the same time in the various Majorera villages, therefore people can tour form one village to another celebrating carnival for as long as a month.
During the year, the people of Fuerteventura prepare and rehearse the songs and dances they will be doing in the Carnival parade. Steel bands, outrageous costumes and salsa music form the essence of the Carnival making all the spectators move and dance.
In the last years the Drag Queen gala has became a very important part of the celebrations, giving you an idea of how imaginative the majoreros are when it comes to partying.

For further information check our festivities and leisure guide.

Dinamatik. Copyright 2005.