Minister Cazal accompanied the celebration of the May Cross in La Guaira

Published at: 06/05/2026 11:54 AM

With songs, flowers and music of traditional roots, the community of La Guaira celebrated the feast of the Cross of May last, in a meeting that brought together cultivators from the Central Coast in homage to one of the country's most deep-rooted cultural manifestations.

The day took place in an atmosphere of joy and respect for cultural heritage, with the participation of the Minister of Popular Power for Culture, Raúl Cazal, who accompanied the bearers of this tradition declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation.

During the activity, crosses adorned with natural and paper flowers were the center of the ceremony, while the wakes resounded with songs by galerón, fulías and malagueñas, musical expressions that form an essential part of this popular festival.

In the coastal region, this celebration combines elements of Catholic prayer with Afro-Venezuelan rhythms and traditional songs, reflecting a diverse cultural heritage that has been transmitted from generation to generation.

Minister Cazal stressed the importance of preserving these expressions as part of the national identity. “Here, on the coast, the heart of a deep and creative Venezuela beats. Celebrating the May Cross is reaffirming our cultural resistance and our love for ourselves,” he said.

He also reiterated institutional support for cultivators and for policies aimed at safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, of which the Cruz de Mayo wakes constitute a fundamental pillar.

The event also served as an intergenerational meeting space, where children and young people learned from their elders the songs, rhythms and techniques for making crosses, guaranteeing the continuity of this tradition that, in addition to its religious value, symbolizes community union and the celebration of life.

MINCULTURA/Mazo News Team