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After more than 20 years, posts here will now only be occasional (see why) for big events such as Tenerife Carnaval, so please "Like" and follow our Facebook Page because that's where to see future updates.

Friday, 27 February 2009

Piñata Weekend in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The Piñata provides the finale to the party

Shrove Tuesday is the climax of carnival frivolities in the strictly religious sense and the Burial of the Sardine on Ash Wednesday was once intended to denote the end of hedonistic festivities and the beginning of Lent, but Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife doesn't stop then ... as the Piñata Weekend provides a fitting finale. Although the live music of Daytime Carnaval is what's being promoted most about the final weekend of carnival in Santa Cruz these days, there are other events.

Coso Infantil - Children's Carnaval Parade

One I highly recommend is the Coso Infantil (Children's Carnaval Parade). It's like the big parade, but with lots of added cuteness. This used to be held on the Saturday, but once the Daytime Carnival had become established, it was moved to the Friday afternoon (from about 6 pm) so kids could enjoy both. 

Sábado de Piñata - Carnaval de Día

Sábado de Piñata (Saturday), in Santa Cruz the most important Carnaval de Día (Daytime Carnaval) in the world will be taking place. That might be because it's the only designated daytime carnival in the world - we haven't checked - but nevertheless an afternoon full of spectacular shows can be expected in the Plazas del Príncipe, La Candelaria and on the Avenida Anaga. 

Concurso de coches antiguos - Classic Cars

On the Sunday morning, is a Gran Concurso en la Ciudad de Automóviles Antiguos (Gathering of Vintage Cars), which meets at the Parque García Sanabria (see map) from 10 a.m. Then at mid-day, these beautiful old cars, with occupants in period costume, make a circuit of the city, through the streets of Numancia, Pilar, Plaza del Príncipe, Villalba Hervás, La Marina, Avenidas de Anaga and Marítima, ending at the Club Náutico de Tenerife (see map).

There are end of carnival parties and usually a fireworks finale on the Sunday.

Wednesday, 18 February 2009

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival Queen 2009

Carnaval Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2009 Ana María Tavárez Mata

Carnaval Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2009 was Ana María Tavárez Mata, with a costume entitled "Embrujada" (Bewitched) designed by Leo Martínez and representing newspaper El Día.

The court was made up as follows:

  1. 1st Maid of Honour: Raquel de Ara Carballo, with a costume entitled "Vuelvo de La Guaira en correíllo cargada de loros stop besos Concha" (I return from La Guaira in a Correíllo loaded with parrots, stop, kisses Concha), representing Centro Comercial Santa Cruz Carrefour and designed by Santi Castro.
  2. 2nd Maid of Honour: Leonor Barreto Fuentes, with a costume entitled "Aria de amor" (Aria of love), representing Centro Comercial Meridiano and designed by Saliarca Creativos.
  3. 3rd Maid of Honour: Gisela Dorta Melo, with a costume entitled "This is for you, I love you, Thank you", representing Centro Comercial Alcampo - La Laguna and designed by Juan Carlos Armas.
  4. 4th Maid of Honour: Nuria Niebla Plasencia, with a costume entitled "Nirvana", representing Tranvía de Tenerife and designed by Santi Castro.
The theme of carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife was El cine de Terror (Horror Cinema). Known as "The Anti-crisis Carnival", the main stage at the The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses, was scaled back and completely flat, without sculpted or modelled elements. Its decoration was based on large format prints, with traditional motifs from the first horror movies. 

The Official Carnival song that year was "Chicharrero de Corazón", by the Murga Ni Pico Ni Corto, becoming the first song by a carnival group to be the official song for these fiestas, and which had a tremendous reception at the Gala of the Carnival Queen, being danced and sung by all the carnival troupes of Tenerife. The "Ave Satani" (satanic hymn from the horror movie The Omen, could be heard several times in the introduction to the gala.