Anaga Biofest – Festival en la Reserva de la Biosfera del Macizo de Anaga
Previous editions
2021 - 1st edition
What we know today as Anaga Biofest began in Tegueste under the name of “Tegueste Biofest”, and is the result of a strategic plan traced out in 2020. The goal was to address the needs and opportunities involved in turning Tegueste into a gateway to the Anaga Massif Biosphere Reserve.
This edition took place in the fall of 2021, with over 200 participants in a program featuring 10 activities focused on themes such as hiking, zero-kilometer gastronomy, crafts, and the promotion of ethnographic manifestations valuable to the region.
Neighbourhood event: organised alongside residents of Pedro Álvarez (Tegueste) and the hamlet of El Batán (La Laguna). Given their proximity, the communities and economies of these two settlements have been linked throughout history, leading to the creation of family ties across different generations. The trail that connects them has reinforced the social element of the Biosphere Reserve declaration.
Experience sharing workshop of Canarian and Senegalese wrestling:
Canarian wrestling is without a doubt one of the main identifying features of the archipelago and part of the legacy and intangible heritage of Tegueste. Given the similarities it shares with Senegalese wrestling (Laamb in Wolof), which is where many of the immigrants residing in camps in Las Raices and Las Canteras come from, in 2021 this sharing workshop was organised as part of the festival. The goal was to showcase the importance of the sport and its relevance in relation to society, culture and identity, in places like Tegueste.
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere programme (MaB): This special celebration took place in the Príncipe Felipe theatre (Tegueste) in 2021, and marked the closing of the first edition of the festival, as well as the 50th anniversary of UNESCO’s MaB Programme. It was attended by official representatives from the Department of the Natural Environment from the Tenerife Island Council, Turismo de Tenerife and the Tegueste municipal government. During the ceremony, a video was shown that had been filmed during the neighbourhood event, and there was a talk involving residents from the different settlements involved.
2022 - 2nd edition
Under a new name, Anaga Biofest broadened its horizons, with a longer programme of events and two venues in Tenerife in the municipalities of Tegueste and La Laguna, with La Laguna city council joining the project.
In this second edition, the festival directly involved more than 1000 people, including suppliers and participants in the activities that took place over two weekends.
One of the main new features of the 2022 edition was the building of links with other Biosphere Reserves in the Canaries. Here are some of the most notable activities that took place in the second edition of the festival:
Organisation of two exchanges and twinning with the Biosphere Reserves of Gran Canaria and La Palma: The goal of these two initiatives was to broaden the scope of Biofest, organising similar activities in other, comparable contexts. The intention was also to connect the territories with each other and with the local actors that work and have a presence in each.
Organisation of a programme of walking trails and activities with a gender perspective: a key goal of Anaga Biofest. Trails and activities were developed to raise awareness of rural women in Anaga, who have often been overlooked, and describe their important role in the socioeconomic and cultural spheres of rural societies such as this one.
2023 - 3rd edition
Following the success of the first two editions, the project continued to evolve in 2023. On this occasion, the timing of the event was adjusted, with initiatives and activities taking place at two moments during the year; in the spring-summer and autumn. The programme was even more diverse, and involved an ever-increasing number of local initiatives.
Since 2023, the project has been supported by the three municipalities that make up the Anaga Massif Biosphere Reserve: Tegueste, La Laguna, and Santa Cruz.
Establishment of rotating venues: some of the most unique hamlets and settlements in the Anaga Massif Biosphere Reserve were selected as venues, in the municipalities of Tegueste, La Laguna and Santa Cruz. As part of this innovative format, information points for the event were set up in places such as El Batán (La Laguna), Pedro Álvarez (Tegueste), Taganana and Roque Negro (Santa Cruz). This led to the creation of interesting and exciting links between participants and the local population.
Twinning with other Biosphere Reserves in the Canaries: Gran Canaria and Lanzarote: The previous twinning initiative in 2022 laid the foundations for a collaborative framework between the Anaga Massif and La Cumbre of Gran Canaria. In 2023 this approach was continued with an activity that offered added value thanks to joint participation from local actors in both reserves. In addition, in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the declaration of the Lanzarote Biosphere Reserve, an exchange was organised with local actors from the island and La Graciosa, to remember and pay homage to the work historically carried out by women in this very challenging environment.
Market for projects, La Recova de Anaga: organisation and coordination of a market for initiatives, projects and entities linked to the Anaga Massif Biosphere Reserve. The market was held in Plaza del Hermano Ramón in La Laguna, on 3 and 4 November, opening both in the morning and the afternoon, and welcoming around 200 visitors. Importantly, actors linked to the Gran Canaria Biosphere Reserve also visited the market and participated in some of the stands and workshops.
Hiking route and neighbourhood exchange between El Batán and Pedro Álvarez: following the neighbourhood event that took place in 2021, included in the programme of spring-summer events, was a hiking route between El Batán (La Laguna) and Pedro Álvarez (Tegueste). Participants were joined on the trail by 10 residents from the two settlements.
Trail through the living memory of Roque Negro:
This trail, which had already formed part of the 2nd edition of Anaga Biofest, was one of the most emotionally-charged and best attended on the programme. Many residents of the hamlet got involved and participated in this trail, and it was one of the best examples of what Biofest is all about.
In the autumn 2023 edition the trail was programmed on one of the “key dates”, in order to ensure it attracted attention and that all efforts would be made to ensure its success. At the end of the activity, walkers and residents enjoyed a paella and some traditional music together.
Ceremony “For a biosphere without borders”:
On Thursday 2 November 2023 at the Príncipe Felipe theatre in Tegueste, there was a ceremony entitled “For a biosphere without borders”, marking the International Day for Biosphere Reserves. The ceremony included the first-ever screening of the short documentary “Caminos con nombre de mujer” (trails named after women). Official representatives and local actors from the different Biosphere Reserves that have participated in Biofest were present, and the event also included a performance from the Grupo Folclórico Paiba (San Andrés).
4th edition - 2024
In its fourth edition, Anaga Biofest once again divided its programme of activities across two different moments of the year: spring and autumn. This year though, the editions were split further, resulting in a total of four events across the year. This enabled there to be a greater number and variety of activities, and for more initiatives to be included from the three municipalities that belong to the Anaga Massif Biosphere Reserve: Tegueste, La Laguna and Santa Cruz. The commitment from all three local councils in the Anaga Massif was also therefore strengthened.
Twinning with other Biosphere Reserves in the Canary Islands: El Hierro y Gran Canaria:
In 2024, Anaga Biofest went one step further towards achieving its goal of inter-island collaboration, by launching a partnership with the Biosphere Reserves of El Hierro and Gran Canaria. This twinning was much more than a symbolic gesture: it allowed for sharing of best practices, the building of synergies between territories, and an opportunity to highlight the wealth and diversity of the landscapes and cultures of these reserves. The joint activities, which included visits, workshops and outreach events, strengthened the links between the reserves, promoting a common approach towards sustainability and responsible tourism.
“Entre nasas y anzuelos”: conociendo y degustando la pesca artesanal” (between fishing nets and hooks: learning about and tasting artisanal fishing)
This pioneering activity within marine tourism in the Canaries, organised alongside artisan fishers in Punta del Hidalgo, was a huge success. It involved a short walk along the coastline, while hearing first-hand accounts of local stories, and a practical workshop about traditional fishing tackle and gear. The experience culminated in the opportunity to taste freshly-caught fish, highlighting the sustainable nature of this practice for the economy and marine biodiversity. The activity was so popular that a second date was organised, with over 40 participants in total and active participation from the cofradía de pescadores (guild of fishers).
“La ruta de la cueva escondida: senderismo y taller de queso artesanal” (Trail of the hidden cave: hiking and artisanal cheese workshop)
This has become one of the event’s most popular activities. This themed walk took participants through the dense laurel forest of the Anaga Massif, known for its wealth of endemic species, and ended at the La Florida cheese factory, a living example of artisanal tradition. There, participants enjoyed a cheese-making workshop, combining contact with nature and an immersion into local culture. The experience was innovative and unique, thus making Biofest a point of reference for themed and sustainable tourism.
An ethnographic walk and sweet potatoes in the hamlet of Roque Negro:
Part of the fourth edition, this activity stood out for its community focus and celebration of local traditions. The topic of the walk was sweet potatoes in Anaga, and followed ancient trails, ending at the Plaza de Roque Negro with a cultural and gastronomical get-together. More than 80 people participated, enjoying a visit to a local estate to learn about growing this tuber, and a recipe competition. The experience strengthened connections between visitors and the resident population, highlighting the importance of local products and the agricultural tradition of the area.
La Recova del Anaga Biofest:
The festival hosted three sustainable marketplaces, organised in different emblematic locations in Anaga: Parque de las Furnias (La Laguna), Plaza de San Marcos (Tegueste), and Plaza del Príncipe de Asturias (Santa Cruz). These markets brought together 25 initiatives linked to sustainable development, handicrafts, and agroecology, acting as a space for cultural and commercial exchange. In addition, each market was complemented by parallel activities, attracting a wide range of audiences and consolidating the role of Anaga Biofest as a facilitator of spaces that are both inclusive and transformative.
