Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2021

Senior, Adult and Junior Guardians of the Sceptre

There was no new carnival queen in 2021, but Guardians of the Sceptre who will be in charge of guarding it until the election of the Carnival Queen can be celebrated again. Candidates were those who had already been proclaimed queens in past years.

The Guardians of the Sceptre are: 

• Adult: Naomi María Cabrera Pulido, originally proclaimed Carnaval Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2011
• Senior: Antonia Garrido Francés, Senior Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz 2019
• Junior: Ylenia Rodríguez Domínguez, who had been Junior Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2019

The theme of Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival in 2021 was Carnivals of the World. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival was not celebrated in its usual manner in the streets and only some events and documentaries related to the carnival were broadcast virtually. 

The Casa del Carnaval (House of Carnival) museum hosted an exhibition entitled "Traditional Carnivals in the Canary Islands" with representations of carnival groups from Lanzarote, El Hierro, Fuerteventura, Los Indianos de La Palma, among others. 

Science Fiction has already been chosen as the theme of Santa Cruz Carnival 2022. What form that will take, and whether it will take place in it's usual format on it's customary dates, we shall have to wait and see and entirely depends on the evolution of the pandemic.

Santa Cruz, Corazón del Carnaval | 07/03/21

The Teneguía Eruption of 1971

Volcanic landscape of Teneguía

The La Palma volcano erupted on October 26, 50 years ago. It is now 50 years since the last time a terrestrial volcano erupted in Spain: Teneguía, in the south of the island of La Palma. On October 20, 1971, the earthquakes began, the intensity of which was gradually increasing, which alerted the residents of Fuencaliente, and the authorities deployed civil protection measures. The eruption began at 4:25 p.m. on October 26, 1971, and lasted until November 18. It was a relatively short eruption; In fact, it was the shortest of those that have taken place in the Canary Islands, especially when compared to the one that lasted six years in the 18th century in what is now the Timanfaya National Park, in Lanzarote.

VOLCAN TENEGUIA LA PALMA OCTUBRE 1971

The Teneguía volcano had been inactive since 1677, when it began to expel lava. The population watched with curiosity and fear; Long lines of vehicles are remembered near the volcano to watch the lava show, especially at night. 

The volcano caused material damage to the vineyards in the area and destroyed a beach, although it also created a new one. The final valuation of losses was six million pesetas, mainly in communication routes, crops and some houses, as reported at the time by La Vanguardia. There were also moments of anguish in the evacuation of 28 fishing boats from the Faro beach. A tourist died as a result of severe poisoning suffered by inhaling gases near the volcano, after breaking the security cordon established to protect the population.

The lava did not affect the populated areas and, as the volcano is to the south of the island, on the coast, the lava practically dumped straight into the sea, which increased the surface of the island by about two million square meters. This space of new land was declared a Natural Monument, and is one of the great attractions of the island: for many years, when walking through the recent lava, the earth was still warm.

The Cumbre Vieja de La Palma, where today a volcano is erupting, is one of the most active volcanic complexes in the Canary Islands. Two of the last three eruptions recorded on the islands have taken place here, that of the San Juan volcano (1949) and, in 1971, the Teneguía. In October 2011, after several weeks of intense seismic activity under the Canary Island of El Hierro, an underwater volcanic eruption occurred off its coast. 

Teneguía, 1971: así fue la última erupción volcánica terrestre en España

The Parada bar, in the municipality of Fuencaliente, was used as a centre for the media that covered the previous volcanic eruption that occurred on the island, that of Teneguía, in 1971. Located almost at the end of the town, the Bar Parada was also at that time the place where the scientists who came to study the eruption drank coffee, Honorio Pérez, who then worked in the establishment, now run by his son, told EFE. EFE / Elvira Urquijo

Plaza del Adelantado, La Laguna

Fountain in the Plaza del Adelantado

The Plaza del Adelantado is a square in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, located in the centre of the old town. Around it are the Town Hall, the municipal courts, the old municipal market (now in the Plaza del Cristo) and the Hermitage of San Miguel Arcángel.

It is named after the first Adelantado (An Adelantado was a high Spanish dignitary who carried out duties by mandate of service, account and under royal designation), Alonso Fernández de Lugo, conqueror of the islands of La Palma and Tenerife, who, at the beginning of the 16th century, had his residence at one end of this square, specifically in a part of the site that today is occupied by the Convent of Santa Catalina de Siena.

It was created to be the town's main square, both due to its size and the importance of the buildings that surrounded it in the 16th century. The most important public events in the city were held there until the 20th century, including: festivals, market days, processions, bullfights and even the execution of sentences.

Its dimensions have been maintained over the centuries, but its appearance has varied over the years. The esplanade, originally made of earth, was paved for the first time in 1798. In 1843, the interior was redesigned, placing trees and benches.

The central marble fountain is the most characteristic element of this square and it is the oldest and most aesthetic of those existing in the old town. It was commissioned from Marseille (France), from where it was shipped, bound for La Laguna, on March 20, 1869 by the Ghirlanda Brothers Society aboard the ship "Marie Honoré". Its weight is estimated to be 30 tons. It is made from superimposed cups that support slender columns and there is no lack of architectural ornaments. The fountain was placed in the square in 1870. 

Plaza del Adelantado. San Cristobal de La Laguna

Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2022 warms up with more than 90 pre-registered groups

Comparsa Los Rumberos from the Opening Parade in 2019

The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2022 has 94 groups pre-registered. Once the records have been reviewed, the groups will be informed of the protocols, agreed with the Ministry of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands, that they must follow before they begin rehearsals and subsequent official registration in the Carnival 2022 contests.

The list of pre-registered groups, once the deadline passed on Friday, included: 21 children's murgas, 22 adult murgas, 9 adult comparsas, plus one junior, 15 choreographic groups, 9 musical groups, 1 lyrical musical group, 8 from the comedy song category and 7 rondallas.

The 21 children's murgas are: Pita-Pitos, Frykiwykis, Los Chinchositos, Los Mamelones, Tiralengüines, Raviscuditos, Los Rebeldes, Infantilmónica Triqui Traquitos, Distracidos, Guachipanduzy, Lenguas Largas, Los Castorcitos, Minivirgues, Los Revoltosos, Los Carrcidicitos, El Cabito, Los Disorsionados, Los Suocados, Infantilmónica Redoblones and Los Rewobinados.

The adult murgas are: Ni Pico Ni Corto, Los Bambones, Los Diablos Locos, MásQLocas, Los Mamelucos, Los Trabachones, Diabolicas, Ni Fú NI Fá, Los Desbocados, Burlonas, La Sonora, Las Marchilongas, Un Desatadas, Los Chinchosos, Los Tiralenguas , After with Tras, Las Klandestinas, La Traviata, Los Arremangados, Los Trapaseros, Afilarmónica Triqui Traques and Los Zeta Zetas.

The groups that will put rhythm and colour into the carnival - the comparsas - will be: Los Cariocas, Los Tabajaras, Los Rumberos, Abenaura, Bahía Bahitiare, Río Orinoco, Tropicana, Los Valleiros and Danzarines Canarios; in addition to the Comparsa Tropicana Infantil.

Notable absences are the murga Las Triquikonas and comparsa Los Joroperos.

The number of pre-registered rondallas is eight with the Lyrical Group La Rondalla Sociedad Mamel’s, Nueva Echeyde (formerly Gran Tinerfe), Lírico Coral Los Aceviños, Masa Coral Tinerfeña, Las Valkirias, U. A. El Cabo, Peña del Monday 1965 and Orfeón La Paz.

The musical groups are: Salsabor, Cantares Luz de Luna, Sabor Isleño, Caña Dulce, Siboney, Teiderife, Nobleza Canaria, Chaxiraxi and Los Yuppies.

The choreographic groups: Club Odali, Ballet Dance, Crew of Dreams, Ibaute, Tenerife Dance Project, Moana, Crazy Dancer, Equipo Loli Pérez, Funkyguachi, LKS, Los Bohemios, Grupo Choreografico del Patronato del Ayuntamiento de Arona, Yufunk Dance School , Azahar and Stars Dance.

The groups in La Canción de la Risa (Comedy Song) are: Las Gediondas, No tengo el chichi pa’ farolillos, La Familia Monster, Los retales del carnaval, Los Dibujos Animados se van de fogalera, Los Cornucas Atómicos, Los Legías y Las Noveleras.

Los Fregolinos complete the pre-registered groups for the next edition of carnival.

El Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife calienta motores: hay más de 90 grupos preinscritos

[ED: Whist this signifies a lot of interest in carnival and in participating in carnival contests, it doesn't indicate that there will be the usual parades and public events in the streets. We have no information on those nor what, if any, form they may take. That will depend on the evolution of the pandemic. If I was a betting person, I'd say it's unlikely in 2022.]

Santa Cruz celebrates the bicentenary of its designation as the capital of Canary Islands

Tenerife Auditorium and the "twin towers" from Las Mesas park. Carlos SM Some rights reserved

After this designation, between 1822 and 1927, Santa Cruz de Tenerife served as administrative head of the archipelago thanks to the efforts of José Murphy

The privilege of Villa Exenta and the titles of Muy Leal, Noble y Invicta (Very Loyal, Noble and Undefeated) granted by Carlos IV on August 28, 1803, six years after having defeated the British commanded by Rear Admiral Horacio Nelson, would be the origin of the subsequent aggrandizement of Santa Cruz de Santiago de Tenerife, since, when the first constitutional period arrived in 1812 it had already consolidated itself as the administrative head of all the islands, as most of the State administrations were established here.

The first triumph of Santa Cruz in favor of its capital rights - taken from no one, since there was no capital until then - occurred when the captain general of the Canary Islands, with residence in Santa Cruz, notified the political superior of the province that in article 3 of the Decree on the formation of the Electoral Boards, promulgated by the Cortes of Cádiz in 1812, it was stated “that the Captain General of the province was the President of the Electoral Board, if he was in the town ...”; For this reason, when the Cortes approved the establishment of the Electoral Board in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, when the elections of deputies to the Cortes were held on May 30, 1813, the Provincial Council settled in Santa Cruz, as the head of all the islands.

When, in 1820, the Constitution of 1812 was proclaimed again, the political chief returned to Santa Cruz, a new captain general was appointed, and elections were held for Cortes and the Deputation and, although the Extraordinary Cortes established in 1821 recommended that the Proposals from the Provincial Councils that had been created eight years ago, a Royal Decree of March 1821 named the heads of electoral parties to La Laguna, Granadilla, La Orotava and Garachico, with Santa Cruz depending on La Laguna. For this reason, when the aforementioned Royal Decree reached the Islands, the Santa Cruz City Council met in an extraordinary council and agreed to appeal it in the Cortes of Madrid, appointing Mr. José Murphy y Meade, attorney-in-fact (councillor).

Murphy, for fear of being arrested, moved to the Peninsula in a Swedish brig bound for Setúbal (Portugal), arriving in Madrid in mid-July and, although the Cortes were closed, managed to get to the king and to the Government the appeal in which it stated that the new designation of electoral parties could not be considered valid, since the Courts had recommended that the heads of electoral parties be the same as those proposed in 1812. The Government considered the appeal logical and, without waiting for the reopening of the Cortes, on August 8 modified its previous decision and, once again, the municipalities of Santa Cruz, La Laguna, La Orotava and Icod were head of the electoral party.

The negotiations were not easy for Murphy, as he was a commissioner of the Santa Cruz City Council who wanted to make a presentation before the Plenary of the Cortes, where he had no vote, and the Canarian deputies (Gomera) Echeverría and Cabeza preferred that the capital fall in La Laguna and Las Palmas; However, developing laborious "corridor diplomacy" in search of support, would achieve that when the parliamentary sessions were resumed, on October 1, 1821, he managed to present his most famous and important argument in the Spanish Parliament so that the capital of the Canary Islands was determined in Santa Cruz. “For a century, various authorities established their residence in Santa Cruz whose presence symbolized that the capital was the town in which they lived and, emanating from the Constitutional Regime, other Institutions were established, as a natural, simple and ordinary thing."

Many generations have naturally seen this order of things: that where the authorities were residing was naturally the capital. In Santa Cruz were: Political Superior Chief, Provincial Delegation, Captain General, Mayor, Court of Appeals, Superior Board of Health, and Post Office Administration. By contrast, Las Palmas only has the Territorial Court and a Cathedral.

On October 5, when the Commission in charge of discussing the issue of the capital of the Canary Islands met for the first time, there was only one document on the table to initiate deliberations: the draft decree in which the name of La Laguna appeared as the capital of the Archipelago. After numerous and heated interventions, the decision was reconsidered and, at the meeting on the second day, all the members of the table were ordered to have Murphy's presentation in their possession, so that, in the debate on the third day, the Committee did not approve the designation of La Laguna.

The Commission met again on the 18th, and after a score of interventions, replies and counter-replies, the deputies were inclined for the capital to be Santa Cruz, assessing the number of authorities and institutions that were already established in the city. In the fourth session, held on the 19th, the Commission stated: "By declaring the point sufficiently discussed, the Commission's opinion is approved: the capital will be Santa Cruz."

On October 22, 1821, Don José Murphy y Meade, informed his native city of the agreement that had just been taken in the Cortes:

“I have the satisfaction of communicating to V.S. Iltma, that the Extraordinary Courts, in session of the 19th of the current, have served to designate that Very Noble, Loyal and Invicta Villa, as Capital of the Canary Islands”.

This news, written in such a concise way, despite its enormous importance, was the fruit of the hard work of a man, undoubtedly the greatest Canarian politician of the nineteenth century, who, despite not being a deputy in the Cortes, knew how to function in that unknown and in some aspects hostile environment. For this reason, this tireless fighter, authentic and main architect of the single capital, has deserved the title of Political Father of Santa Cruz.

Three months later, on January 27, 1822, Fernando VII promulgated the Royal Decree establishing the division of Spanish territory into 52 provinces, it read: “Canarias (islands). Population: 215,108 souls.- Deputies: three.- Capital: Santa Cruz de Tenerife ”.

Santa Cruz would remain the sole capital of the Canary Islands until September 23, 1927, when the Government of the dictatorship of General Miguel Primo de Rivera decreed the division of the Archipelago into two provinces: Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas. 

Santa Cruz celebra hoy el bicentenario de su designación como capital de Canaria

47º Isle of Tenerife Rally (22-23 October)

47º Rallye Isla Tenerife (22-23 October)

The 47th Orvecame Isla Tenerife Rally, organised by Club Rallyten Sport, will be held on October 22 and 23, 2021. With the club's philosophy of making a beautiful, competitive and demanding route, the itinerary of El Isla - as this rally is colloquially known - includes 2 stages, a total of 9 specials and 107 kms of timed sections, going through up to 11 municipalities, with Santa Cruz de Tenerife being the epicentre of the event, hosting in the Parque Marítimo y Palmentum de Santa Cruz all the main infrastructure of the event. The administrative-technical verifications and the delivery of documentation will take place on Friday, October 22 between 09:30 and 13:30, thus promoting the use of outdoor spaces and the good weather that the capital offers in the month of October.

The two specials to be held on Friday afternoon, and which will serve as a warm-up, are: “Medianías-Palo Blanco” 5:13 pm and “Icod El Alto-La Guancha” – Ctra. La Fajana, passing through El Lagar, La Guancha, Pinalete, La Tabona Reservoir to La Mancha - at 5:51 p.m., taking advantage of the natural light offered by the still summer schedule.

Stage “2”, on Saturday, begins at 9:18 am with “Los Loros” – descending direction -, “Fasnia” –from north to south, leaving at “Las Eras Altas” - 10.17h and “Arico” at 10.56 am h. This loop repeats at 1:44, 2:43 and 3:22 p.m. respectively. At 15.55h, there will be a regrouping at the Puertito de Güímar, to face the last special of the day: “Cuesta Las Tablas” – heading to Santa Cruz de Tenerife with departure at the “Cuatro Esquinas” junction - at 17.00. The rally ends at 5:50 p.m. with the arrival at the Parque Marítimo and Palmetum de Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

• 47º Rallye Rallye Isla Tenerife, tramo a tramo, metro a metro
• Rallye Isla Tenerife, 110 equipos en el listado provisional
• Avance 47º Rallye Isla Tenerife (22-23 octubre)

Rally Isla Tenerife 2020

Tenerife South Airport puts into service five new boarding gates and a passport control

Tenerife South Airport User: Bgabel at wikivoyage shared, CC BY-SA 3.0

With an investment of 6.1 million euros, the Airport adapts T2, now called zone C, expanding its surface by 5,000 m².

Tenerife South Airport put into service [20 Oct] five new boarding gates of the six existing in zone C (previously called Terminal 2), with the aim of expanding the area designated for this purpose in the airport facility and improving efficiency and comfort of the passengers. In addition, a new passport control exit also comes into operation in this same area.

The six boarding gates in zone C, along with the four that will be located in the connecting building, are added to the 16 already existing, adding up to a total of 26 throughout the airport.

The adaptation of zone C, which has an investment of 6.1 million euros and which expands the airport surface by 5,000 square meters, will entail other improvements, such as the launch of 32 new check-in counters, which will be added to the current 87.

The new passport control put into operation in zone C, together with another that was put into service last July for boarding gates A in the original airport terminal, has involved an investment of more than 1.3 million euros. euros.

The expansion works that are being carried out at the Tenerife South Airport double the operational area for check-in and boarding and expand the general capacity of the airport, which will go from 13 to 16 million passengers per year, with which the infrastructure will be in full conditions to meet the present demand and that of the near future. 

El Aeropuerto Tenerife Sur pone en servicio cinco nuevas puertas de embarque y un control de pasaportes

Tortilla de calabaza (Pumpkin omelette)

Tortillas de calabaza (Pumpkin omelette)

Pumpkin omelette is prepared in practically the same way as the traditional potato omelette Tortilla Española (Spanish Omelette), simply substitute the potato for the pumpkin. The pumpkin gives a rich touch to this omelette and it is also spectacular - pumpkin or squash is also one of your 5-a-day - as well as being perfect for this season.

Ingredients

• 600 gr of pumpkin
• 5 eggs
• 4 cloves of garlic
• Pimentón dulce (Sweet paprika)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt

How to make pumpkin omelette

1. Cut the pumpkin into small cubes and put them in a microwave-safe container. Cover and cook the pumpkin in the microwave for 3 minutes at maximum power.
2. Beat the eggs in a bowl together with a pinch of salt. 
3. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a pan and add the previously peeled garlic. When the oil warms up, add the pumpkin, mix and add salt to taste.
4. Sauté the squash for a few minutes until tender, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and remove the garlic cloves. Add the pumpkin to the beaten eggs and mix it well.
5. Continue heating another tablespoon of oil in a pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the pumpkin and beaten egg mixture, spread the pumpkin over the pan.
6. After a few minutes and when the base of the tortilla is set, turn the tortilla with the help of a plate or lid with a smooth surface. Slide the tortilla back in the pan and continue cooking until it is to your liking. 

Receta de tortilla de calabaza

PUMPKIN OMELETTE | The Most Juicy and Delicious Omelette!

La Laguna presents 20 thematic hiking routes

Turismo de La Laguna presents 20 thematic hiking routes to unite landscape and culture and create spaces for coexistence between tourists and residents. The ‘Senderos con Cultura’ (Trails with Culture) and ‘Walk & Talk’ projects will promote linguistic immersion, cultural exchange and the defence and conservation of the city's rich, historical heritage.

The Department of Tourism of La Laguna, led by María José Roca, presented two programs of thematic hiking routes guided by professionals that, weekly and until the end of the year, will offer 20 innovative proposals with historical, natural, artistic and cultural heritage to make the attractions of the municipality visible, promote its conservation, as well as generate spaces for coexistence between citizens and people of different origins and languages. Each route will be free, although a donation of 2 euros per person will be requested (via soydelapalma.com to benefit people affected by the La Palma eruption.

This initiative is divided into two groups, entitled ‘Senderos con Cultura’ (Trails with Culture), with 10 routes that will end on La Laguna coastline and that will link the territory to the history, mythology, traditions and literature of La Laguna, and Walk & Talk, the latter designed for the practice of different languages, to meet people from other cultures and promote active learning, all with the landscape and traditions of La Laguna as the setting.

The program of hiking routes in languages ​​Walk & Talk has 10 routes in different languages ​​and points of the municipality, which will be held Saturdays and Sundays from October 23 to December 23, an opportunity to practice languages, discover places and meet people, promoting cultural exchange and active learning committed to heritage, all through tours of the Historic Complex, Mesa Mota, Mesa de Tejina, Jardina, Bajamar or Punta del Hidalgo.

All routes will be free with a donation to La Palma, without age limits, but will require prior registration and will be carried out in small groups of up to 20 people, complying with current health protection measures and reducing the impact on the natural environment. The first will take place on October 23, within the Walk & Talk proposals and, under the title 'A Balcony Overlooking Paradise', which will offer a circular route from the town to Mesa Mota. All information and registration is available here [in English]

The Senderos con Cultura program includes 10 thematic routes in the northeast region, one every Sunday between November 21 and December 19, and which will focus on local and regional mythology, popular traditions, poetry, pirates and history of the municipality. 

The activities are designed to promote interaction between the participants, with dynamic routes adapted to different themes, such as the Day of the Dead or Christmas. The activities are designed in Spanish and English, but they are adaptable to any language. 

Turismo de La Laguna presenta 20 rutas de senderismo temáticas para unir paisaje y cultura y crear espacios de convivencia entre turistas y ciudadanía (Via)

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2020

Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2020 Sara Cruz Teja

Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2020 was Sara Cruz Teja, with a costume entitled "Sentir" (Feel), designed by Sedomir Rodríguez de la Sierra and sponsored by hypermarket Centro Comercial Alcampo La Laguna.

In 2020, the court was made up as follows:

1. First Maid of Honour: María José Chinea Cabrera, with the costume ‘Un nuevo amanecer’ (A new dawn), designed by Jorge González Santana, sponsored by bottled water brand Fuentealta.
2. Second Maid of Honour: Laura García Repo with the design ‘El secreto de Lola’ (Lola's Secret) by Borja Abreu, representing distiller, Ron la Indiana.
3. Third Maid of Honour: Judith Miguélez Díaz, with ‘Mararía’ (Mararía (1973) is the most famous novel by the Spanish Canarian writer Rafael Arozarena) by Daniel Pages sponsored by McDonald’s and newspaper El Día.
4. Fourth Maid of Honour: Elisabeth Ledesma Laker con el diseño ‘Estas cuatro palabras’ (These four words) by Santi Castro, representing Centro Comercial Añaza Carrefour.

The theme of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2020 was The Flirty Fifties. Also known as "The Calima Carnival", due to the suspended dust from the Sahara desert that covered the entire Canary archipelago during the first days of the street carnival celebration. 

During the gala, directed by designers Marcos Marrero and María Díaz, which began with an overture based on the popular song "Santa Cruz en Carnaval", the 16 candidates each paraded on stage twice. In the final moment, only eight finalists took to the stage, because despite the large size of the stage, it was too small to host all of the candidates at the same time. The gala featured performances by Paulina Rubio and Soraya Arnelas, who, in addition to singing, served as master of ceremonies with Alexis Hernández and Pedro Rodríguez.  

And, of course, the 2020 carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife was [for now] the last one celebrated in the streets before the coronavirus pandemic hit, causing the cancellation of many other carnivals throughout the rest of the island.

Gala de la Reina del Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2020