Seeing off the English in Santa Cruz

Reenactors recreate the Battle of Santa Cruz

The annual recreation of 'La Gesta del 25 de Julio' (Battle of Santa Cruz 1797, which is celebrating its 222nd anniversary), will this year pay tribute to Corporal Diego Correa, who, ill, left his detachment in the battery of La Concepción with just a handful of soldiers and managed capture 17 British soldiers, a cannon and the flag of the frigate 'Emerald'.

Diego Correa Corbalán, who belonged to the Güímar regiment, was the first to alert of the approach of the English boats. Born in La Laguna in 1772, he was promoted to the rank of Captain while serving in Cádiz in 1808. In 1820 he appeared in the United States and later was placed in Havana, Gibraltar and Madrid. In 1836 he was appointed Chief of the military administration services in the Philippines, where he died in 1843.

It is thanks to Correa, that the combat flag of the frigate Emerald, one of the most important trophies of the Gesta, is preserved. It is on display in the Military Museum, where the label on the exhibit says that it was found at dawn on 25 July 1797 in one of the launches stranded on the coast of Santa Cruz. 

The events of the recreation this year will start on Friday July 19 with the landing of British troops in the area of the ​​Castillo Negro (Black Castle) and the beginning of the battle, and will continue the next day, on Saturday 20 July, with the establishment of a camp in the Alameda del Duque de Santa Elena from midday. At that time, a cannon salute will be fired and a concert will be given by the Friends of Art of San Andrés music band. During the day, the public will be able to visit the camp where they can observe what daily life was like for the troops that defended the city in 1797. Later in the evening, from 8:30 p.m., the battle will be resumed through the main streets of the city center, such as the surroundings of La Noria, La Concepción and the Barranco de Santos, until those dastardly English sign their surrender in the former convent of Santo Domingo (Sala de arte La Recova).

On Sunday 21 July, General Antonio Gutiérrez will be honored with the laying of a wreath on his tomb (in the Church of La Concepción, Santa Cruz de Tenerife) commemorating the 220th anniversary of his death.

In addition, there will be parallel activities such as a conference on the terrace of the Casino where the locations of the battle will be described, an exhibition on characters of the era and a play and tasting of beer, cheese and wine in the Círculo de Amistad XII de Enero in memory of the exchange of gifts between General Gutiérrez and Admiral Nelson.

The great effort of the association (Asociación Histórico-Cultural Gesta del 25 de julio de 1797) to coordinate activities - with more than 50 people participating apart from the Fiestas staff - has been recognised, which, say the city council, will turn Santa Cruz this coming weekend into a "meeting point of culture and leisure" that will be a "tourist attraction" and will help to dynamize the city economically.

Not sure that "getting trounced" - or even rightfully seen off - is quite what I would term a tourist attraction for the British, but we did ought to know more about this history.

Please go along and help the reenactors sing "What shall we do with the drunken sailor?"

Recreación de la Gesta del 25 de julio

Comparsa Los Cariocas

Los Cariocas in the Carnival Main Parade on Tuesday 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.

Founded in 1969, Los Cariocas are celebrating their 50th Anniversary this year.



Los Cariocas | 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. 

Romería of San Benito Abad, Day of Traditions in Chirche, Virgen del Carmen in Puerto de la Cruz, Santa Cruz and Puerto de Santiago, Moscow Ballet, Festival Mumes 2019

Romería de San Benito Abad

Romería of San Benito Abad

On Sunday 14 July - always the second Sunday of the said month - is the Romería Regional de San Benito Abad in La Laguna. This is the only Romería that is denominated Regional and is declared of tourist interest, so you can imagine is one of the big ones and is considered as the most representative romeria of the Canary Islands. It is held in honor of St. Benedict of Nursia, the patron saint of farmers of Tenerife. Mass is celebrated with a floral offering, then the cattle are blessed and the pilgrimage leaves from around mid-day. The most striking aspect is the procession of the Saint accompanied by seven women dressed in the typical costume of each of the islands of the archipelago.



Romería de San Benito | 2018

Día de las Tradiciones in Chirche

Day of Traditions in Chirche

Meanwhile the village of Chirche (Guía de Isora) is preparing to celebrate the 19th edition of their annual Día de las Tradiciones (Day of Traditions), again held on the second Sunday in July each year, which aims to keep alive the traditions of past centuries.

On Sunday, July 14, the town will wake up early to receive the thousands of visitors that will arrive throughout the day. Free transport will be increased this year due to the high demand. Buses leave every half hour from 10.00 am in front of the Civil Guard Barracks in the town of Guía de Isora, the last bus returning from Chirche at 4.30 pm.

Twenty or so houses will open their doors and patios for roasting of wheat and coffee, kneading bread, making kites, basketwork ... Don't miss the teacher and the students in the school or the healer with his remedies. Various activities; a wedding, milking, and moving will be staged and, finally, at 2:00 pm the procession and a dance is planned.



Día de las Tradiciones - Chirche 2018

Embarcación de la Virgen del Carmen 2019

Embarkation of the Virgin del Carmen

On Tuesday 16 July is the Embarcación de la Virgen del Carmen (Embarkation of the Virgin del Carmen) in Puerto de la Cruz. This fiesta is celebrated all over the islands, but Puerto's is undoubtedly the biggest where tens of thousands will gather from early morning to watch the procession of the icon of the Virgen del Carmen (Our Lady of Mount Carmel) - patron of fishermen and the Armada Española (Spanish Navy) - from the old port. These festivals have their origin in the middle of the eighteenth century, when the figure of Gran Poder de Dios (Great Power of God) was taken out in procession, and in 1919, after the re-foundation of the Brotherhood of the Virgen del Carmen, became the great Festivities of July as we know them today, which is why this year they are being celebrated as a centenary. Other events in these fiestas include the solemn procession of the Great Power of God, that takes place on Sunday the 14th; the sardinada (sardine feast) and verbena (dance) on the 15th, and the embarcación chiquita (smaller boat procession) organized by the Fishermen's Brotherhood of Gran Poder de Dios on Sunday 21st.

Meanwhile in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, as well as the Embarcación de Santa Cruz de Tenerife, as in previous years, on the occasion of the feast of the Virgen del Carmen, the Port Authority has organized a complete program of commemorative events that includes, sports competitions; football, dominoes and a swim across the port.

Puerto de Santiago (Santiago del Teide) is also preparing to celebrate their Fiestas in Honour of Ntra. Sra. del Carmen 2019, the big day of which is also Tuesday 16 July, with the solemn Eucarist at 6 pm, after which there will be the procession and offerings.

The Moscow Ballet with Swan Lake

The Moscow Ballet returns to the Canary Islands on its summer tour with Swan Lake. The Moscow Ballet will begin its Canarian tour, tickets for which are already on sale, at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium in Los Cristianos on Tuesday July 16 and on Saturday 20 will offer two performances at the Teatro Leal in La Laguna.

Festival Mumes 2019

Meanwhile for lovers of World Music, the Festival Mumes 2019 is taking place, the central day of which is on Saturday 13 July at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium in Los Cristianos with Ghanaian bands FRA! y Kyekyeku & Ghanalogue Highlife headlining,

Where to park in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Aparcamiento del Intercambiador Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Traffic in Santa Cruz de Tenerife has always been one of the main problems for those who visit the capital, either for work or leisure, but more than the density of vehicles, the lack of parking is the real headache for drivers in this area of the island. Exploding prices too make grown people tremble each time they come to the city. Fortunately, there are car parks where you can park in Santa Cruz without the need to donate a kidney [to pay for it] or, in the best case, free. Diario de Avisos made a compilation of some of these:

1. Parking Santa Rosalía

Located in the central street of Santa Rosalia, number 87, very close to the Plaza del Parque Bulevar (Shopping Centre). The first hour of parking costs 1.45 euros, while the remaining hours cost 1.50 euros. 10.90 euros is the full day rate.

2. Parking Intercambiador (Transport Interchange - Bus & Tram Hub) 

Located on Víctor Zurita Soler Avenue, this car park is open 24 hours every day with cheaper rates during the weekend. Parking for one hour costs 1.50 euros, while on Saturdays and Sundays it's only 0.75 euros. The cost of a full day is 15 euros.

3. Aparcamientos del Centro Comercial Nivaria 

The parking areas of this shopping precinct, located on Tres de Mayo Avenue, are completely free for the first two hours, regardless of whether customers spend or not on the premises. From the third hour, the rate is three cents per minute (1.80 euros per hour).

4. Aparcamientos del Centro Comercial Meridiano

The Meridiano Shopping Center, located on Avenida Manuel Hermoso Rojas, has free parking open to the public during its opening hours. However, in recent weeks it has been reported that this car park could cease to be free or become only free for customers.

Just one more tip: if there is a fiesta or carnival on, just don't bring a car to the city!

Image by Jose Mesa Some rights reserved

Candidate for Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2019, María José Chinea Cabrera

María José Chinea Cabrera at the Rhythm and Harmony Saturday 2 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.

Pictured is María José Chinea Cabrera (minus her troublesome headdress) in a costume entitled "BAILANDO BAJO LA LLUVIA" (Dancing in the Rain), designed by Jorge González Santana and representing Fuente Alta.



María José Chinea Cabrera | Gala de la Reina | Carnaval S/C Tenerife 2019

West Side Story, Canarias Jazz y Mas Heineken, Garachico Crafts Fair, Güímar Hillclimb, San Benito Tapas Route

The musical West Side Story comes to the Auditorio de Tenerife 'Adán Martín' this week with five performances over three days on Thursday 4, Friday 5 and Saturday 6 July. More information and tickets.

Canarias Jazz & Más

The 28th Festival Internacional Canarias Jazz & Más Heineken takes place from 5 to 21 July 2019. There are concerts in Santa Cruz, La Laguna, Puerto de la Cruz and Adeje in Tenerife, as well as on other islands. The first concert Tenerife takes place on Friday 5 July at the Plaza de los Alisios - the huge open air venue located next to the Auditorio de Tenerife in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Maceo Parker tops the billing in which female vocalists stand out with the best instrumentalists of the genre, up-and-coming groups, renowned & established artists, as well as local bands. More info (in English) here and you can download the full program here (PDF)

Garachico Crafts Fair

The 39th Regional Crafts Fair of Garachico will be held on Friday 5, Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July; from 12:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., for Friday 5, and from 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. for the rest of the days, with island handicrafts and especially those elaborated in the north of Tenerife. More than 70 artists and artisans provide wide and varied range of products, completed with demonstrations and exhibitions that give visitors the opportunity to learn about the history and the development of the main pieces that can be purchased at this fair. This edition will also feature traditional basket weaving in all its varieties: Palm, Wicker, Badana, Ristra, Rafia.

Güímar Hillclimb

The 46th edition of the Subida de Güímar (Güímar Hillclimb) takes place on 5 & 6 July - the main spectator events being on Saturday. More information (in Spanish) from the organisers.

Video: Subida Güímar 2018

San Benito Tapas Route

The Ruta de la Tapa por San Benito (San Benito Tapas Route), now in it's 12th edition, which launched on Monday 1 July and runs until 31 July has the aim of exceeding last year's figure of 200,000 tapas served. This gastronomic event has 49  establishments in the centre of La Laguna participating. Each tapa, which will be accompanied by a glass of Presas Ocampo wine, a Mahou beer or a bottle of Fonteide water, will have a total price of three euros.

There is a list of participating bars and restaurants here

Candidate for Junior Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2019 Nayara Plasencia González

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 lot the candidates who aspired to become carnival queens in 2019.

Ten year old Nayara Plasencia González in a costume entitled, "EL SONIDO DE LAS PROFUNDIDADES" (THE SOUND OF DEPTHS), designed by Víctor Mesa Aguilar and representing Carnaval Internacional de Los Cristianos, Restaurante Gula and Cooperativa de Taxis Arona. 

Nayara Plasencia González | Gala Reina Infantil | Carnaval S/C Tenerife 2019

Gofio Ice Cream

Ice Cream

Gofio is one of the most basic products in the Canarian diet with which you can prepare a variety of dishes such as escaldón or rich desserts such as turrón de gofio (gofio nougat) and ice cream. This ice cream recipe had me at condensed milk, but is ideal for making good use of a couple of typical Canarian products - gofio itself and miel de palma (Palm syrup) - which you can pick up easily from local markets or even supermarkets.

Ingredients:

1 can of condensed milk 300 gr.
200 ml of whipping cream.
250 gr of gofio de millo or maíz (corn gofio).
1 soletilla [1] biscuit per person.
Grated lemon, toasted almonds.
Miel de palma (Palm honey) or miel de caña (Molasses or Black Treacle).

Elaboration:

In a bowl put the condensed milk, add the gofio and beat together until it is fully integrated. Whip the cream and fold it into the previous preparation. Place this gofio mousse into the freezer for 3 hours.

Serve gofio ice cream with crumbled soletilla biscuit and chopped almonds sprinkled on top, lemon zest and a little palm honey, or if you prefer treacle. Serve immediately.

La cocina tradicional: Helado de Gofio

[1] Bizcochos de soletilla (little sole biscuits) are what the Italians call savoiardi, the French Boudoir and that we know as Ladyfingers.

As with every other recipe in the Canary Islands, there are almost as many versions as there are people who make it. Here is a version of the ice cream with piñones (pine nuts), but I would choose the version shown below served with another local delicacy - that you can pick up at fairs and fiestas - Almendras garrapiñadas (Candied almonds).



Video: Gofio ice cream served with Candied almonds and Palm honey

Imagen de Eak K. en Pixabay

Anaga Rural Park Taganana to El Bailadero

Another video from the series VOLANDO SOBRE CANARIAS (FLYING OVER THE CANARY ISLANDS) this time over the impressive and beautiful landscape of the Anaga Rural Park, a World Biosphere Reserve on the island of Tenerife, between Taganana and El Bailadero, the Anaga lighthouse, Chamorga and other locations in this protected area.

Parque Rural de Anaga - Taganana al Bailadero - Tenerife

Tenerife Fiestas in July 2019

Gesta de 25 Julio 1797

July has no national, regional or island-wide public holidays, but the following municipal public holidays in the following districts:

• 9 July: Festival of the Virgen del Carmen in Puerto de la Cruz.
• 25 July: Festival of Santiago Apóstol in Santiago de Teide.
• 26 July: Festival of Santa Ana in Candelaria, Garachico and Santiago de Teide.

The three biggest events of the month will be:

• The Romería Regional de San Benito Abad in La Laguna, said to be the most representative romeria of the Canary Islands, which is held the second Sunday of July each year - this year on Sunday 14 July.

• The Embarkation of the Virgen del Carmen in Puerto de la Cruz usually takes place on the Tuesday prior to 16 July - this year actually on Tuesday 16 July. The effigy of the Virgin del Carmen is carried through the streets to the harbour, where it is then boarded onto a boat, for a “sea parade” and a ceremony to bless local fishermen. 

• Around 25 July, Santa Cruz will reenact the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (1797) and celebrate its proud victory over English Admiral, Horatio Nelson, whose failed attempt on the city, 222 years ago, cost him his right arm.