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A cultural tour round the islands is always worthwhile. The great
cultural heritage has been carried over by every single inhabitant to
the present time. You therefore find numerous traces of the native
inhabitants of the whole area. In every village you can visit a church
or chapel.
Gran Canaria boasts several interesting museums und culture centres,
highlights of which are the recent Museo de la Ciencia y la Tecnologia
(Science and Technology Museum) and the Casa de Colón (Christopher
Columbus House) as well as the Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno
(Atlantic Centre of Modern Art) – all of them situated in the city of Las Palmas.
Throughout the years, Gran Canaria has become a famous port of call for
travellers. Visitors from all over the globe have come here and many
have settled, bringing with them their own unique traditions and culture,
transforming Gran Canaria into a truly cosmopolitan island.
Gran Canaria therefore is a mix of various different cultures. The society was
always open to visitors from the seas and always welcoming towards new
cultures. At the same time the locals, "Canarios", have always fought hard
to maintain their own sense of identity and culture.
Nowadays Gran
Canaria has a rich blend of artistic, archaeological and architectural
heritage that come from a mixture of different races. There's not many
other places on earth where you'll find such a wide variety of culture
in such a small place.
The people of Gran Canaria love to celebrate and any excuse will do!
There's always some kind of a festival or celebration going on, whether
it's of religious, folkloristic or cultural nature, and there is always
something going on somewhere on the island.
Many witnesses to the
traditional handicrafts can also be found: basket makers, wrought-iron
workers and tanners, to name but a few. Traditionally the "Fiestas
Patronales" are celebrated in the villages all year round. These are
all civil-religious in character.
The processions which characterize these festivals are led by the local
people in their traditional costumes. Also still evident today are the
Apanados, the goats of the coastal region, which roam around free over the
wide expanse of the local community.
At regular intervals they are rounded up by the herdsmen. An important part of this work is the Perro
Majoprero, a native breed of dog which skilfully guards house and home.
In the meantime a firm
place on the island's agenda, have the internationally renowned festivals
such as the International Film Festival of Las Palmas, the Festival de
Música de Canarias (Canaries Classic Music Festival) and the Festival de
Ópera (Opera Festival).
Other events like the WOMAD (World of Music,
Arts and Dance) or the Festival de Teatro y Danza de Las Palmas de Gran
Canaria (Theatre and Dance Festival of Gran Canaria) bring still more
influences of the international cultural panorama to this magnificent
island. |
