Former Canary Islands Culture Minister Dulce Xerach Dies

The lawyer, writer and former Culture Counselor for the Tenerife Cabildo and the Canary Islands Government, Dulce Xerach Pérez, died in Madrid at the age of 56. Institutions such as the Canary Islands Government and the Parliament have expressed their condolences, highlighting her legacy in the islands’ culture, politics and literature.

Dulce Xerach, a Canarian writer, lawyer and former politician, died this Friday in Madrid. Her death has prompted a wave of tributes from the cultural and political spheres of the archipelago, where her name was linked to public administration and literature.

“Dulce Xerach’s passing leaves an irreparable void. A woman committed to culture, the word, and our land. Dulce was not only a companion; she was a writer of stature and a defender of our islands’ heritage. Her imprint is in every library, cultural centre, in every corner where our culture breathes. Today we say goodbye to someone who believed in the Canary Islands and fought for them. My sincerest embrace to her family, friends, colleagues and all who admired her work. Rest in peace, Dulce.” – Fernando Clavijo, President of the Canary Islands, on social media

The Parliament of the Canary Islands also issued a statement:

“We deeply regret the death of lawyer and writer Dulce Xerach, who served as a deputy in this Chamber in 2007. We join her family and loved ones in this painful moment. May she rest in peace.”

The news resonated throughout the cultural sector, from the Círculo de Bellas Artes de Tenerife, where she had been president, to the central government, with remarks from Canary Islands minister Ángel Víctor Torres.

A Career Beyond Politics

• Education: Born in Tenerife in 1969, Xerach earned a law degree from the University of La Laguna and a doctorate in Architecture from the European University of Madrid.
• Public Service:
  • Vice‑counselor of Culture for the Canary Islands Government.
  • Counselor of Culture and Historical Heritage for the Tenerife Cabildo.
  • Deputy in the Parliament of the Canary Islands (2007).
  • President of the Círculo de Bellas Artes de Tenerife, where she promoted new generations and championed local talent.
• Cultural Contributions:
  • Co‑founder of Tenerife Espacio de las Artes (TEA) and Espacio Cultural El Tanque, two landmark venues that now form an essential part of Santa Cruz de Tenerife’s cultural fabric.
• Literary Work: Specialized in noir fiction, creating the detective series featuring Inspector María Anchieta. Notable titles include:
  • Robo en São Paulo (2014)
  • Asesinato en una playa de Londres (2015)
  • Secuestro en Hong Kong (2019)
  • Muerte en la Bienal de Venecia (2022)

Dulce Xerach’s multifaceted career left an indelible mark on the cultural, political and literary landscape of the Canary Islands. Her passing is mourned by colleagues, readers, and the many institutions she helped shape.