Renowned canarian folk singer Olga Ramos is set to receive the prestigious Premio de Honor de la Música Canaria on 2 December during a gala at the Teatro Leal in San Cristóbal de La Laguna. This award recognises her significant contributions to the musical heritage of the Canary Islands.
At 93 years old, Ramos is celebrated as one of the most beloved voices in canarian folklore. Her career has been closely linked to various musical groups, including the Masa Coral Tinerfeña, Real Hespérides, and the Conjunto Acaymo. She is particularly remembered for her interpretation of the traditional lullaby, arrorró, which has resonated with generations of canarian families.
Born in 1932 in Punta del Hidalgo, Ramos grew up in a musical family, influenced by her father, Manuel Ramos, and her uncle, Sebastián Ramos, known as ‘El Puntero’. This familial legacy contributed to the formation of one of the most recognised lineages in canarian folklore, Los Ramos de La Punta.
One pivotal moment in her career occurred on 5 August 1958, when musicologist Manuel García Matos visited Punta del Hidalgo to document various musical expressions for the Magna Antología del Folklore Musical de España. During this visit, Ramos performed an arrorró she had learned from her mother, marking her first public performance of the piece. This recording has since become a significant testament to canarian musical tradition.
The Teatro Leal, where she will receive her honour, holds special significance for Ramos, as it was the venue for her first public performance of the arrorró during a Fiesta de la Copla celebrating the San Benito festivities.
Throughout her career, Ramos has also directed the family group that evolved into Los Zebenzuí, later known as Olga Ramos y Los Zebenzuí. She navigated a male-dominated industry, asserting her artistic vision and deeply rooted interpretation of La Punta's musical traditions.
Her contributions have extended beyond performance; she has dedicated decades to teaching traditional dances and folk customs to younger generations, helping to preserve the cultural identity of the Canary Islands. Her efforts have garnered numerous accolades, including the Medalla de Oro de Canarias in 2002, the Galardón Princesa Iraya in 2014, and the Premio Taburiente in 2016.
In March 2023, the Ayuntamiento de La Laguna honoured her by naming a plaza in Punta del Hidalgo after her, located next to the street named after her uncle, Sebastián Ramos. This tribute is particularly meaningful for an artist who has maintained a close connection to her birthplace.
