The president of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Rosa Dávila, highlights the value of the new publication “Repertoire of Traditional Music of Tenerife Island” and thanks the authors Benito Cabrera, Pablo Díaz, and Ehedey Sosa.
The Cabildo of Tenerife, through the Department of Employment and Education, has officially presented the book “Repertoire of Traditional Music of Tenerife Island,” a work resulting from years of research carried out by Benito Cabrera, Pablo Díaz, and Ehedey Sosa. The presentation took place during a press conference attended by the president of the Cabildo, Rosa Dávila, the councilor for Employment and Education, Efraín Medina, and the authors of the volume. The work represents an important contribution to the preservation of the island's musical tradition.
During her speech, Rosa Dávila, who wrote the book's foreword, emphasized the importance of the work, stating, “From the Cabildo of Tenerife, we reaffirm our strong commitment to protecting and promoting Canarian culture. This publication is another step forward in ensuring that Tenerife's rich musical heritage is not forgotten. Traditional music is an integral part of our identity, and thanks to this book, we can preserve an invaluable legacy for future generations.”
Furthermore, the president pointed out how today's fast-paced society has often led to the loss of many cultural traditions: “We live in a world that moves too fast, depriving us of the time to reflect and appreciate our roots. This book represents an act of cultural resistance, a work that saves an essential part of our history and musical identity from being forgotten.”
Efraín Medina, councilor for Employment and Education, added: “Today we celebrate Tenerife. Recovering and valuing our cultural and intangible heritage means reclaiming our soul. This project has required years of meticulous work, village by village, to recover repertoires that were at risk of being forgotten. This book is an invaluable gift for our island.”
The authors of the book, visibly moved, shared details of the creative and research process that led to the work’s completion. Benito Cabrera explained that the volume “is not a definitive work but a fundamental step in the path of valuing traditional music. It is an educational tool that we hope will inspire further studies and future projects.”
Pablo Díaz highlighted the complexity of the work, stating, “Despite our efforts, it is impossible to include all the traditional musical repertoire of Tenerife in a single book. However, this publication gathers the most representative pieces of our tradition. It has been a long and challenging journey of research, instrumentation, and transcription.”
Finally, Ehedey Sosa emphasized the book’s importance as an educational resource: “This volume is a valuable tool for bringing younger generations closer to the traditional music of Tenerife. We hope it will be used in schools and other educational contexts to keep our culture alive.”
The work contains a vast selection of genres and musical pieces that represent the richness and diversity of the island’s musical tradition. Among the most significant pieces are the Berlina del Escobonal and the Malagueña from Punta del Hidalgo. This book represents not only a tribute to Tenerife's musical history but also a promise for the future of its culture.