Centennial Celebration of Freemasonry in the Canary Islands Highlights Legacy of Freedom and Fraternity and Strengthens International Ties
Honoring 100 Years of Masonic Tradition and Brotherhood.
This weekend, authorities and prominent members of Canary Islands society gathered to celebrate the centenary of the Grand Lodge of the Canary Islands, a regional Masonic organization that defied island divisions and historical persecutions.
The event, marked by the presentation of the book "The Grand Lodge of the Canary Islands: One Hundred Years of Freemasonry in the Islands," witnessed emotional moments and reflections on the significant contribution of Masons to the region.
A hundred years ago, a group of Masons from the islands of Gran Canaria, La Palma, Lanzarote, and Tenerife came together to form the Grand Lodge of the Canary Islands, firmly believing in the potential of the region.
The first Grand Master, Amado Zurita Colet, was remembered with emotion during the event, and the presence of his grandson, Amado Zurita, was hailed as a link to the past, prompting warm applause.
The book presented during the celebration serves as a tribute to these visionary Masons, who, despite adversities, advocated for the regional idea of the Canary Islands as a project for the future and a source of hope.
The work highlights not only the memory and sacrifice of these Masons but also seeks to inspire future generations to contribute to building a society based on the universal principles of freedom, equality, and fraternity.
The presence of members from various Spanish and foreign obediences at the event emphasized the openness of the Grand Lodge of the Canary Islands to Masonic ecumenism, recognizing and respecting all Masonic currents, without exception.
During the event, the Vice President of the Parliament of the Canary Islands, Don Gustavo Matos, highlighted the validity of the act, noting that despite advances, the pejorative use of the word "Mason" still persists. This observation underscores that, despite changes over time, certain perceptions endure in society.
Editorial Idea, represented by Don Francisco Pomares, recalled the past, emphasizing that the location now occupied by the Parliament of the Canary Islands was a scene of repression against left-wing militants, adding a dimension of poetic justice to the event.
Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Canary Islands, Don Juan Miguel Rodríguez, paid tribute to the recently deceased former minister Jerónimo Saavedra, highlighting his "serene courage" and expressing hope that the book would be the starting point for a greater understanding of Freemasonry.
The book's editor, Don Víctor Berástegui Afonso, emphasized the strategic position of the Canary Islands as a catalyst for greater openness to ideas, highlighting the need for an autonomous Masonic organization conscious of the island's culture.
Additionally, it was highlighted during the event that the Grand Lodge of the Canary Islands maintains relations of friendship and fraternity with the Grand Lodge of Portugal (GLNP), and both are members of the International Confederation of United Grand Lodges, strengthening international ties within Freemasonry.
The event was concluded by the Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Dom Ángel Víctor Torres Pérez, who underscored the intense persecution suffered by Masons during the Franco dictatorship.
He advocated for the need for educational centers that demystify Freemasonry, aiming to normalize an institution demonized during that period, promoting a deeper understanding and acceptance of its contribution to society.
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