The Cabildo de Fuerteventura, through its Department of Culture, is organising the 33rd edition of the Memorial Manuel Velázquez Cabrera, aimed at commemorating the life and legacy of this significant figure in the history of Fuerteventura and the Canary Islands. The events will run from 9 to 16 November and will include meetings with students from various educational institutions on the island, along with talks, literary presentations, and institutional ceremonies in La Oliva, Gran Tarajal, Puerto del Rosario, and Tiscamanita.
The activities commenced on 9 November with a meeting between historian Néstor Hormiga and students from IES La Oliva at 9:15 am. Later that day, at 6:30 pm, a discussion on the 300th anniversary of the founding of Montevideo (1726-2026) and the contribution of Canarian migration will take place at the Raíz del Pueblo venue in La Oliva, led by Hormiga.
On 10 November at 11:00 am, Hormiga will meet with students from IES Gran Tarajal. The programme continues on 11 November at 11:00 am with another educational session at IES San Diego de Alcalá. That same day, at 7:00 pm, the Insular Historical Archive will host a meeting featuring an online connection with Professor Isabel Barreto Messano and the presentation of the book 'Vida cotidiana de los canarios fundadores de Montevideo', also presented by Hormiga.
The main institutional events of the memorial will take place on 16 November. At 1:00 pm, the street Primero de Mayo in Puerto del Rosario will host the Cabildo's official tribute to Manuel Velázquez Cabrera. In the afternoon, at 7:00 pm, the Cultural Centre of Tiscamanita will feature a discussion on Velázquez Cabrera's travels to Uruguay, presented by Felipe Bermúdez, alongside the launch of the novel 'Patricio Anís' by Marcos Hormiga, and another talk by Néstor Hormiga on the 300th anniversary of Montevideo and Canarian migration.
The day will conclude at 8:30 pm with an official tribute to Manuel Velázquez Cabrera in the square named after him in Tiscamanita, his birthplace. The event will include a musical performance by Raíces.
This programme aims to keep the memory of Manuel Velázquez Cabrera alive and to connect his contributions to the history of Fuerteventura with new generations, while also exploring the historical ties between the Canary Islands and America. The events are supported by the Tuineje City Council, the 'El Tabaibe' Neighbourhood Association, and the Manuel Velázquez Cabrera Foundation.
