Candidate for Junior Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2019 Claudia Pérez

Whether looking back once more at Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2019, or forward towards Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2020 - which takes place between Friday, 21st February 2020 and Sunday, 1st March 2020 - we can't resist another look at the candidates who aspired to become carnival queens in 2019.

This is 9 year old Claudia Pérez Sánchez in a costume entitled, "LA MAGIA Y EL MISTERIO DEL EDÉN" (THE MAGIC AND THE MYSTERY OF EDEN), designed by Antonio Santos Arteaga and representing Clinique Tenerife.

Claudia Pérez | Gala Reina Infantil | Carnaval S/C Tenerife 2019

Diverse - International Festival of Art and Equality in Puerto de la Cruz

ART, FEMINISM AND REALITIES LGTBIQ + IN DIVERSE FESTIVAL

Commitment to raising awareness, through art and through social responsibility, Diverse Festival is presented in Puerto de la Cruz from April 24 to 28, as a meeting place between the arts and social movements that promote values ​​of equality and personal and collective freedoms, placing feminism and the problem that the LGTBIQ + collective is constantly facing in the focus of the debate.

Diverse includes concerts, exhibitions, workshops, theater, cinema, meetings with activists, artists and writers.

More information (in Spanish) in the programe which can be downladed here (PDF)

Ruta del Camino del Hermano Pedro

Saturday, 27 April 2019 is the date of this year's XIV Ruta Camino del Hermano Pedro (Brother Pedro's Pilgrimage Route) - a ~20 kilometre walk to honour Hermano Pedro (Peter of Saint Joseph de Betancur) who was born in the town of Vilaflor de Chasna in 1626, became a missionary in Guatemala and was canonised as the "first Canarian and Guatemalan saint" in 2002. 

The pilgrimage sets off from the church of San Pedro Apóstol in Vilaflor at 7 am (after mass at 6:30 am) and journeys downhill through San Miguel de Abona and Granadilla de Abona, all the way to the coastal area of El Médano, which houses the cave where people go to worship the saint. Near to the cave is the 'ere' (a natural or man-made hollow formed in the rock which allows rainwater to collect and is used as a watering hole), where Brother Pedro used to take his flock to drink water.

On the way there, pilgrims cross some of the region's most unique and emblematic areas. For instance, they will see ancient farming terraces, native plant and animal species, and sites that have been declared Assets of Cultural Interest, such as the house of Casa de los Soler and the Plaza de San Pedro square in Vilaflor."

For more information contact El Médano Tourist Office: (+34) 922 17 60 02 or visit the website www.granadilladeabona.es. Inscription is open only until 25 April.

Tenerife's public bus service, TITSA is putting on a special bus service to go to the XIV Route of the Camino del Hermano Pedro, which will take place this Saturday, April 27.

Route 475 will provide services on demand starting at 05:00 hours, leaving from the car park next to the Cueva del Hermano Pedro. The route will be Cueva del Hermano Pedro - Los Abrigos road - Los Abrigos - Las Chafiras - San Miguel - Jama - La Escalona - Vilaflor (Los Castaños stop).

The price will be three euros, which can be paid in cash or with the Ten + card.

Plaza de los Patos, Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Whilst in Santa Cruz in March, we paid a visit to the famous Plaza de los Patos (Ducks Square), in the so-called Barrio de los Hoteles (Hotels District), which is apparently the Sweetest Square in Santa Cruz. It's real name is Plaza de 25 de Julio - so named after the failed attack on Santa Cruz on that date in 1797 by Admiral Horatio Nelson.



La reforma de la Plaza de los Patos

The plaza, built between 1913 and 1917, a symbol of Santa Cruz and an important part of the city's heritage, was reopened after refurbishment last year. The fountain has figures of eight frogs that surround the central goose. The most outstanding feature of the square, in addition to the central fountain, are the 20 benches, covered in ceramic tiles from Triana (Seville), bearing the names the companies who sponsored the construction of the Plaza.

Plaza de los Patos in 1920 [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

From here, it's well worth taking a stroll north on the Avenida de Veinticinco de Julio (25th July Avenue - there's a bit of a theme here - to where the avenue crosses the Rambla de Santa Cruz at the corner of the Parque García Sanabria and stop at the Kiosco Numancia. It has a reputation for being expensive (we didn't notice), but has such an interesting position right in the middle of the street where you can watch the world pass by on either side, with the tranquility of the park next to it. A perfect coffee stop in a city.

Free Talks About the Los Gigantes Cliffs

Acantilados de Los Gigantes (Los Gigantes Cliffs)

The Cabildo de Tenerife (Tenerife Island Corporation), through its Environment dept., has organised three informative talks on the environmental values ​​and the fragility of the Los Gigantes Cliffs ecosystem, one of the most visited points of the island. These talks are  aimed mainly at tourism professionals and companies dedicated to organizing excursions and sports activities in this natural enclave of Santiago del Teide, as well as individuals and local people.

The first talk will take place on April 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the Cultural Center in Los Cristianos. The following talk will take place on April 24, also at 6.30 pm, at the Santiago Martín Pavilion in La Laguna and the final talk is scheduled for April 29, at the same time, 6.30 pm, at the Poblado Marinero apartments in Santiago del Teide.

Prior registration is not required and the talks are free (until the capacity of the rooms provided is reached). The presentations will be carried out by different environmental experts specialized in the fauna and flora that inhabit these cliffs. Special emphasis will be placed on the most fragile species, existing regulations and recommendations for their conservation.

(Although these talks will clearly be presented in Spanish, I feel there may be much of interest that could be picked up from them, even if you're not completely fluent.)

El Cabildo organiza tres jornadas informativas sobre los Acantilados de Los Gigantes

Canarias Baila and Greenworld Festival

GreenWorld Festival

The 2nd edition of Canarias Baila - possibly the most important event of Latin urban music in the archipelago - will be held in Tenerife on April 19 at Amarilla Golf in San Miguel de Abona with Maikel DelaCalle, Justin Quiles, Cosculluela and Cazzu as headliners.

Easter Weekend, on Saturday 20 April, also sees a new edition of the GreenWorld Festival at Amarilla Golf Club de Abona, after the success of the past editions. Paco Osuna, Art Department, Marco Faraone, Martin Buttrich and Los Suruba ensure a great lineup to dance from noon until well into the night at the Papagayo Club.

VIA CANARIAS BAILA FESTIVAL GREENWORLD FESTIVAL 2019 MORE



GREENWORLD FESTIVAL TENERIFE - SEMANA SANTA 2019

Viviane Cordobés Ramos 2nd Maid of Honour

Viviane Cordobés Ramos in the Carnival Main Parade 5 March 2019

Whether looking back once more at Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2019, or forward towards Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2020 - which takes place between Friday, 21st February 2020 and Sunday, 1st March 2020 - we can't resist another look at the candidates who aspired to become carnival queens in 2019.

Today we take another look at Viviane Cordobés Ramos, who was chosen as the 2nd Maid of Honour at the gala earlier this year. Her costume entitled “Mandala”, was designed by Juan Carlos Armas Febles, representing Centro Comercial Alcampo La Laguna.



Viviane Cordobés Ramos | Gala de la Reina | Carnaval S/C Tenerife 2019

Passion of Christ in Adeje

Representación de la Pasión (Passion Play)

On Viernes Santo (Good Friday) the biggest event is the Representación de la Pasión (Representation of the Passion of Jesus) or Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross or the Way of the Cross) that takes place in Adeje, with a cast of hundreds.

"And it all started with a little donkey ..."

This is how the story and representation of the last moments of the Life and Passion of Jesus Christ begins in Adeje. Silence throughout the streets creates an atmosphere of recollection and expectation. Spectators throw themselves fully into the performance and live the most moving scenes in history, letting tears run down their cheeks.

Adeje has singled out the celebration of Holy Week integrating religion and popular tradition through an event that has become synonymous with the municipality. It is an event that has been broadcast internationally through television for several years and whose protagonists are the residents of Adeje, since they are the actors and actresses of this unique show of amateur theater and devotion.

Good Friday dawns restlessly in Adeje. Hundreds of people quietly review their papers as they prepare to take the road to the Cultural Center where they will dress in period clothes and make-up that will help create the characters of the representation. These are moments of nervous laughter and souvenir photos.

Meanwhile on the Calle Grande you can breathe tranquility, welcoming the stages along the entire route from Plaza de la Cruz del Llano to the Plaza España where two crosses announce that a third will soon be built. Operators, sound and camera technicians, and artists make the final touches, while the first spectators arrive to occupy the best spots.

The stages, placed at a height that allows viewers to follow the development of the action, are made in detail and following the design patterns of the time. Every year there is something new, every year, the artist's imagination travels back to the early years of Christianity to faithfully recreate its architecture. The Municipal School of Music of Adeje has an important role in the preparation of all the melodies and songs that will be the backdrop of the performance.

The Last Supper, the prayer on the Mount of Olives, the betrayal of Judas, the judgment in the Sanhedrin, the washing of the hands of Pilate and the plea of ​​his wife, the lashes and the crown of thorns, carrying the cross, Veronica, his encounter with his mother and finally, the death on the cross and the tears of Mary. These are some of the scenes interpreted by the actors that fill the Gospel texts with life and reality.

Twelve noon is the time set for the start.

All the actors appearing on the Calle Grande before thousands of people who waited for several hours hoping to have the best view. Roman soldiers on foot and mounted on beautiful horses, the proud Pilate and his wife, Barabbas the thief, the circumspect Sanhedrin, the restrained Mary accompanied by Magdalene, the ordinary people and of course, the twelve disciples and Jesus mounted on his borriquilla (little donkey).

No one misses any detail, seeing it either directly or through the large screens that the town places strategically along the route. Of course, there is nothing like watching it live.

Representación de La Pasión



Encuentro de la Pasión | Via Crucis de Adeje 2018

For those who can't get to Adeje to see this in person, the event is usually televised by TelevisionCanaria - that's the link to their YouTube channel, where programs are often streamed live and are accessible wherever you are in the world.

Adeje se prepara para vivir “la historia más grande jamás contada”

Comparsa Los Joroperos

One of the components of Comparsa Los Joroperos, Carnival Main Parade, 5 March 2019

One of my favourite components of carnival, comparsas in Santa Cruz de Tenerife are said to be similar to the Brazillian Carnival Blocks, but actually appear to have more in common with the dancing, marching and drumming Samba Schools that have a strong community basis and are traditionally associated with a particular neighborhood.

Los Joroperos were formed in La Laguna in 1972 and have been participating in Santa Cruz de Tenerife carnival since 1977. During the rest of the year, the group performs in hotels and at various fiestas, both in Tenerife and other islands of the archipelago.

The most international of the comparsas, Los Joroperos have become authentic Ambassadors of Carnival, having also represented Tenerife carnival and the Canary Islands in general in numerous tourism fairs nationally and internationally, such as the International Tourism Fair in Spain (FITUR), Europalia and in Regent Street.

Los Joroperos have also won the most awards, both on the islands and in many places around the world. At carnival, they've won 29 awards for interpretation, 19 for presentation and 29 in Rhythm and Harmony. In 2018, Los Joroperos were the outright winners in all of the categories at carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, winning the trio of of firsts in presentation, interpretation and Rhythm and Harmony. This year, they again won both presentation and interpretation at the Comparsas Contest in 2019.

Fans and residents' associations feel that they deserve the recognition of a street in the city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, where they originate, to be named after them.



Los Joroperos | Comparsas adultas | Carnaval S/C Tenerife 2019

Find out more about Santa Cruz Carnival 2020, which will take to the streets between Friday, 21st February 2020 and Sunday, 1st March 2020. 

Pascua Florida in Guía de Isora

Pascua Florida in Guía de Isora

Very much worth seeing over Easter are the floral displays of the Pascua Florida, the unique and increasingly famous Easter floral festival, in the oldest central part of Guía de Isora town between Holy Thursday 18 April, and Easter Sunday 21 April 2019. 

This is the 11th year that the floral festival has been held. More images here.



PASCUA FLORIDA GUIA DE ISORA resumen