Seven‑Star Green Tricolor Flutters Before the Island Council
Commemoration of the 61st Anniversary of the Canary National Flag
The Assembly of Majorera – Coalición Canaria Fuerteventura marked October 22 as the Day of the Canary National Flag with a flag‑raising ceremony in front of the Island Council. The flag bearing seven green stars fluttered over the Majorera sky, accompanied by the sounds of Gara Alemán and Sara Moséguez on the timple, who performed the Canary Anthem. The manifesto was read by David Herrera Ginory.
Through this event, organizers highlighted the symbolic importance of the national flag for the Canary people—a emblem that appears in popular demonstrations, social claims, romerías, and traditional festivals. Its history reflects a journey from creation to becoming the identity symbol of the archipelago.
The ceremony attracted a large audience, gathering public officials and representatives from all municipalities, as well as party militants and supporters at the Casa Palacio, the main institution of Majorera. Both the island secretary of the Assembly, Mario Cabrera, and the party’s organization secretary, Natalia Évora, offered their assessments.
Statements from Party Leaders
“The flag was born in a moment of harsh repression, as a symbol of protest against centralism and the abuses of the Franco regime,” explained Mario Cabrera. “Initially linked to the Movement for the Self‑Determination and Independence of the Canary Islands (MPAIAC), the banner of the seven green stars has remained in the collective imagination as an emblem of the struggle against state neglect, the assertion of our archipelagic particularities, and, above all, a way to unite Canarian identity and idiosyncrasy.”
“It is also a symbol of rebellion against imposed structures and of the constant desire for change to achieve equality among the islands, promoting a more just and solidary archipelago,” he added. “For us in the Assembly of Majorera, it has always been the insignia with which we claim the demands of Fuerteventura and the Canary Islands.”
Cabrera listed the movement’s current demands:
- Opposition to oil prospecting
- Improvement of health services
- Protection of the territory
- Resistance to the militarisation of the island
- Defence of women’s equality
“In short, we believe this is the flag that Canarians have made their own and that represents all of us,” he concluded.
Natalia Évora emphasized the flag’s relevance to younger generations:
“The flag is a living symbol, deeply rooted among young people. It shows that the nationalist struggle to place the Canary Islands at the forefront remains vibrant in new generations, who demand more training and employment opportunities on the islands and equality with those living on the mainland.”
She continued:
“In the flag converge our roots and the early nationalist claims with today’s youth demands, because what we defend is a more just, equal, and progressive Canary Islands—one that secures the future of coming generations.”
Both leaders agreed on two essential premises under the flag’s umbrella:
- Valuing Canarian traditions, customs, and identity
- Promoting respect and protection of the archipelago’s territory and natural environment
They urged the entire population to commemorate the day, viewing it as a reflection of the struggle that has accompanied the progress of Fuerteventura and all the Canary Islands.
History of the Tricolor Flag with Seven Green Stars
First raising: 22 October 1964, during the formation of the Movement for the Self‑Determination and Independence of the Canary Islands (MPAIAC) in Algiers. The flag featured a white‑blue‑yellow tricolor with seven green stars—one for each island—centered to symbolize unity.
Late 1960s: The banner became the de‑facto emblem of all nationalist groups in the Canaries, serving as a protest against Francoist repression and the neglect the islands suffered after the conquest.
Design origins: The flag drew inspiration from the tricolor proposed by the “Canarias Libre” collective (vertical white‑blue‑yellow stripes, initially without stars). Earlier attempts included a 1907 blue flag with seven stars placed according to the islands’ geographic positions, as well as various designs during the Second Republic, which later faded under the dictatorship.
Institutional adoption: Born outside the autonomous administration, the flag symbolised a claim for identity, sovereignty, and a break from centralist structures. The Assembly of Majorera incorporated it into its statutes fifty years ago, maintaining its presence after joining Coalición Canaria.
Social integration:
- 1970s: Adopted by the Canary feminist movement (Front of Liberation of Canary Women, FLMC), linked to anti‑Franco and nationalist struggles.
- 1980s: Became the banner of youth, student, and neighbourhood movements.
- Environmental resistance: Served as an emblem against threats to the natural environment, representing energy and food sovereignty and demanding that the Canary territory be treated as a common good rather than a speculative asset.
Contemporary relevance: Today the flag is no longer solely a liberation symbol; it unifies the identity of the Canary people, appearing in romerías, processions, popular gatherings, and social protests demanding improvements for the archipelago.
Thus, the flag remains more relevant than ever, uniting the eight islands and standing as the emblem of the Canary people.