Arona Tunes Into Radio History With Major New Exhibition
The Department of Culture of Arona Council is launching an exhibition dedicated to the history of radio, based on the extraordinary collection amassed over decades by a local resident, Bladimiro Regalado Armas. Considered one of the largest collectors of radio receivers in the Canary Islands, his assemblage of nearly 400 antique radios from different countries and eras allows for a complete journey through the technological, social, and cultural evolution of one of the most influential media of the 20th century.
More Than Objects: A Testament to Social Change
Beyond the aesthetic or technical value of the pieces, which is full of curiosities, the collection constitutes a valuable testimony to how radio transformed the way several generations accessed information, entertainment, and communication. In an island territory like the Canaries, and particularly in municipalities such as Arona, radio was for decades an essential element of connection with the outside world, a channel for social cohesion, and a daily reference in households.
Creating a Narrative Space for Collective Memory
The exhibition is conceived as the starting point for museological work that will contextualise the devices on display and promote the history of radio from a local, regional, and European perspective. Through this approach, the public will understand the medium’s evolution in Arona, its role in the social and cultural development of the Canaries, and its link to major milestones in European broadcasting—from the first crystal sets to the consolidation of radio as a mass medium.
This interpretive process will turn the exhibition into a narrative and educational space, where the devices are presented not merely as objects, but as pieces of a shared historical story, linked to collective memory and cultural identity. The initiative also highlights the years of conservation work carried out privately, transforming it into a heritage accessible to the public.
A Cultural Hub With Educational Ambition
The Autonomous Organisation of Culture has indicated that the exhibition will be reinforced with cultural and educational activities to deepen knowledge of radio and its impact on society. This will consolidate the project as a leading cultural proposal and a commitment to preserving technological and communicative heritage. The scale and uniqueness of the collection make this a unique project in the Canaries and one of the most valuable sites in Spain dedicated to radio history.
The concentration of pieces, their chronological and geographical diversity, and the planned innovative approach are set to position Arona as a reference point for the conservation and promotion of this medium, with cultural and educational potential comparable to the country’s leading radio museums.
Preserving a Legacy for Future Generations
At the signing, Councillor Naím Yánez Alonso emphasised that “this project allows us to rescue and promote a cultural heritage that is part of the collective history of several generations. Radio has been a fundamental medium in the history of Arona and the Canary Islands, and with this exhibition we take a decisive step to preserve that legacy and make it accessible to the public. We are committed to a space unique in the Archipelago and a benchmark in Spain, which doesn’t just display objects, but tells a common story and reinforces our cultural identity.”
Bladimiro Regalado Armas, who has been collecting radios since 1976, thanked Yánez for “the sensitivity and the opportunity for his collection to be enjoyed soon by residents and tourists.”
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