The dwarfs of La Palma play a key role in the fiestas of the Bajada de la Virgen de las Nieves, recently declared as Cultural Heritage
This declaration comes one year before the celebration, which was last interrupted in 2020 due to the pandemic. The music to which these quirky little men dance was once heard as the chime melody from the carillon of the Ten Bel tower.
In 2020, the celebration of La Bajada de la Virgen de las Nieves in La Palma was interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, and despite attempts to resume the festivities in 2021, it was eventually decided to wait until 2025. The health regulations and restrictions related to the COVID-19 virus were detrimental to the 2020 edition. Now, the people of La Palma receive good news: their festivities, with over 300 years of history, have now been officially declared Cultural Heritage.
Bien de Interés Cultural
The Official Bulletin of the Canary Islands (Boletín Oficial de Canarias, BOC) published the decree on Monday, March 4, 2024, adding the event to the Bien de Interés Cultural in the category of social practices, rituals, and festive events.
This process began in May 2021 when the council of Santa Cruz de La Palma agreed during a regular plenary session to initiate the procedure for declaring it an Intangible Cultural Heritage. On February 6, 2024, the head of the Cultural Heritage Service of the Directorate-General for Culture and Cultural Heritage issued a certificate confirming that the aforementioned file had not expired.
The Highly Anticipated Festival
The Bajada de la Virgen de las Nieves is an event that features a wide range of theatrical, dance, and other votive expressions. It is a highly participatory festival that is the most relevant and representative symbol of the identity of the people of La Palma. The tradition began in 1680, and the festivities take place every five years. It is one of the most comprehensive living testimonies of Baroque festivals.
The celebration involves transporting the image of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves, the island’s patron saint, from her hermitage in the center of the island to Santa Cruz de La Palma. The festival consists of four parts: the Protocol of Reception of the image, which takes place before the transfer; the Triumphant Entrance of the Virgen de las Nieves into Santa Cruz de La Palma; the religious services and liturgy; and finally, the Ascent or Return of the image of Nivar to her sanctuary.
What Do the Ten Bel Clock Tower and the Dwarf Dance from La Palma Have in Common?
La Danza de los Enanos de La Palma or the Dance of the Dwarfs from La Palma is one of the main acts during the festivities of La Bajada de la Virgen de las Nieves in Santa Cruz de La Palma. Every five years, the comedic dwarfs parade through the streets of the capital of la isla verde.
This tradition began in 1905 as yet another sign of gratitude to the island’s patron saint. The dance is performed by 24 men in the same costume to the rhythm of a polka. The music to which these quirky little men dance was once the chime melody of the carillon on the Ten Bel tower.
Listen carefully! If you’re old enough, you might experience a flashback or a déjà vu feeling.
More Culture [HERE]
Guy Devos © Photography
Dwars of La Palma ©
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