Tenerife, placed eighth in the ranking 'the best of the best' destinations in Europe by the United States and Canadian markets

Councillor for Territorial Planning, Historical Heritage and Tourism of the Cabildo, José Gregorio Martín Plata, has pointed out that Tenerife has been placed eighth in the ranking 'the best of the best' destinations in Europe, by popular vote in the North American market by travel portal TripAdvisor, which places the destination after London, Rome, Paris, Crete, Barcelona, ​​Istanbul and Florence; and before Lisbon and Edinburgh. 

The councillor attributes this to the success of an advertising campaign on the portal aimed at making the island known in the United States and Canada markets. "We are pleasantly surprised with the result of the promotional campaigns, which we had to postpone due to COVID and which, finally, we launched in the last month of 2020", explained the councillor.

In 2020, a total of 6,172 tourists from the US stayed in Tenerife; most between January and February, before the pandemic. The previous trend had been upward; in 2019 a total of 26,441 (16.5% more than in 2018), while a year earlier there had already been an increase of 7.5% over 2017; the total number of guests from the United States that year was 22,692.

Tenerife, octavo destino europeo preferido para el mercado de Estado Unidos y Canadá

The most beautiful road in Spain is in Tenerife

Image by Frank Nürnberger from Pixabay

Travel portal Civitatits has drawn up a ranking of the most beautiful roads in the national geography and, of the thousands and thousands of kilometres of roads in Spain, have designated the access road to Teide via La Orotava in Tenerife as the best. 

According to the portal, whose website receives an average of 200 million page views per year and more than 700,000 opinions, the Tenerife highway even surpasses the roads that cross landscapes as recurrent as the lakes of Covadonga or the access to Cabo de Gata. Although the TF-21 crosses a good part of the island from La Orotava to Granadilla de Abona, it has been the sections that run in the middle of the Teide National Park that have convinced the Civitatits portal. There are two main aspects that have made the island highway rank at the top of the ranking. On the one hand, its route through the middle of the Teide National Park, leaving on both sides the landscape of volcanic flows, endemic vegetation and the view of different geographical strata that are quite a spectacle to behold. On the other, the imposing appearance of Teide itself, crowning the road with its 3,715 meters high and generating even more impact among visitors.

It is the only Canarian road that manages to sneak into the ranking. The rest of the list of the tourist portal is completed by the roads of the lakes of Covadonga, in Asturias; of the swamps, in Madrid; Sa Calobra, in Mallorca; Cala D'Hort, in Ibiza; the lighthouses of Mola and Barbaria, in Formentera; Cabo de Gata, in Almería; the Jerte valley, in Cáceres; Cape Fisterra, in Galicia; and access to the so-called Devil's Bridge, in Tarragona. 

La carretera más bonita de España está en Tenerife

Teide National Park Tenerife - scenic road (TF-21)

Tenerife Bluetrail 2021

Tenerife Bluetrail. Photo: Jordi de la Fuente

The race will be held from June 3 to 5 with special protocols due to Covid-19.

The registration period Tenerife Bluetrail 2021, the mountain race from sea level almost to the top of Spain's highest peak, Tiede, organized by the Cabildo de Tenerife, opened last Friday February 19, through the website www.tenerifebluetrail.com. 

The Tenerife Bluetrail, which will be held from June 3 to 5, 2021, will have seven modalities on its tenth anniversary: ​​the Ultra, with 105 kilometres; the Trail, with a distance of 71 kilometres, which also has a relay mode; Marathon, 42; Medium, 20 kilometres; the Bluetrail Challenge for people with disabilities, which includes three distances of 8, 3.7 and 1.2 kilometres, and the new vertical night race of 3.1 kilometres that will be held on June 3.

More than 1,200 runners who were going to participate in the last edition of the Tenerife Bluetrail -suspended due to the pandemic - have maintained their registration for 2021, which gives an idea of ​​the interest generated by the Tenerife test among athletes. The prices provided by the organization range between 130 euros for the Ultra and 30 for the Media.

Sanitary measures

The next edition of the Tenerife Bluetrail will be adapted to the sanitary measures necessary to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The limitation of the number of participants in each of the modalities; the reduction of 50 percent of the capacity of the event, the restructuring of the schedules to avoid the coincidence of athletes on trails and refreshment stations are some of the measures included in the Covid protocol of the race. For example, the start of the marathon modality from the Plaza de Aguamansa is delayed this year until 2:00 p.m.

In addition, it will be mandatory for all runners to carry a mask to use on official transport, departures, arrivals or where determined by the organization, taking into account health requirements. However, all protocols will be periodically updated according to the evolution of the pandemic and what the health authorities determine for the month of June.

La Tenerife Bluetrail 2021 abre hoy el plazo de inscripción

Tenerife Bluetrail | Climbing Spain's Highest Mountain

Cultural Carnival 2021 in La Laguna

In a program that is a recognition of the carnival groups and specialized artisans who for years have kept the tradition of La Laguna carnival alive, the city will host the second edition of the Cultural Carnival for a month, a celebration that was well received by the public and La Laguna groups last year, and with which the Department of Culture of ​​the La Laguna City Council wants to protect and promote the great intangible heritage that this tradition represents in the municipality.

Cultural Carnival 2021 Program

The program includes 21 activities that run from  Friday, February 26, until March 27 with exhibitions of the murgas of La Laguna; through the costumes of the carnival queens of the municipality, as well as workshops in percussion and the elaboration of carnival masks.

Activities start on Friday, February 26, with the inauguration of the Murga Exhibition in La Laguna, curated by historical figure of the Tenerife Carnival, Pedro Megíbar, and the historian, with several works on the Carnival, Ramón Guimerá. The exhibition includes key elements of the carnival, such as posters, costumes, whistles and musical instruments, the history of the murgas of La Laguna, as well as showcasing the men and women who, for years, have made it possible to maintain the activity of the murgas.

Also on Friday the Las Reinas de Dávila exhibition will open, in which visitors can enjoy costumes by La Laguna designer, Luis Dávila, a recognized figure of carnival in the Canary Islands, who for more than 40 years has designed costumes for groups, rondallas, murgas and queens, a job that has earned him professional recognition.

Both exhibitions will remain open until March 27 and can be visited in the Antiguo convento de Santo Domingo de Guzmán (Calle Santo Domingo, 7, 38207 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain). From Monday to Friday, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Teatro Leal (Calle Obispo Rey Redondo, 50, 38201 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain), which for many years was the epicentre of the La Laguna Carnival, will host a third exhibition in which the costumes of the La Laguna carnival groups will be exhibited. The opening hours will be from Tuesday to Saturday, from 11:00 to 13:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00. This exhibition will be open from March 2 to 6.

The Cultural Carnival program also includes a cycle of 18 workshops focused on carnival themes, specifically, the making of masks and percussion techniques. 

All the workshops will take place during the weekend of March 6 and 7.

On Saturday, March 6, at 10:00 a.m., the Plaza Hermano Ramón will host a Carnival mask-making workshop, while, at 12:00 p.m., will be a percussion workshop led by comparsa, Los Joroperos. At the Parque Tecnológico y Científico Las Mantecas (Las Mantecas Science and Technology Park), in La Cuesta, at 10:00, Las Valkyries will hold the mask workshop. At 12:00, the percussion workshops with Río Orinoco and Los Bambones will coincide. Also at 10:00 and 12:00, Las Marchilongas and Los Castorcitos will give a Carnival mask workshop and the percussion workshop, respectively, in the Sports Complex Polvorín de Taco. Las Pirujas will run the carnival mask-making workshop at 10:00 am at the Teatro Unión Tejina. At 12:00, it will be the turn of the percussion workshop by Los Valleiros.

The next day, Sunday, March 7, Plaza Hermano Ramón will repeat the same workshops at the same time as on Saturday. The Parque de Las Mantecas will repeat at 10:00 am the mask workshop by Las Valkirias and, at 12:00 pm, the percussion workshop directed by Río Orinoco. In the Polvorín de Taco, the Marchilongas will give the mask workshop at 10:00 am, while, at 12:00, Los Castorcitos and Los Bambones will coincide with the percussion. Finally, the Teatro Unión Tejina will be the setting for both workshops at the same hours and taught by the same groups as the day before.

All the activities included in the program are free and comply with the health security protocols established by current legislation regarding the control of capacity and other hygienic-sanitary measures to minimize the risk of contagion. 

Comienza la segunda edición del Carnaval Cultural para reivindicar la riqueza patrimonial de la celebración en La Laguna

Virtual hiking to maintain the essence of the Tenerife Walking Festival 2021

Tenerife Walking Festival 2021

The Tenerife Walking Festival 2021 will take place between March 12 and 19 and all lovers of nature activities and hiking can register for the event, to follow it from anywhere in the world. The Cabildo, through Turismo de Tenerife, announced last week the opening of registrations for the 'Tenerife Walking Festival' (TWF), which, in this edition, will be held in online format. The objective is to keep the interest in this event alive. 

The opening day, scheduled for March 12 starting at 4:00 p.m. (local time), will be streamed through the official Tenerife Tourism channels and on the virtual stage of the festival. The rest of the programming will take place between March 12 and 19 (the schedules are proposed to cover different zones, given the international nature of the event), and registrations, free of charge, can be made on the website www.tenerifewalkingfestival.com

The proposal for this edition combines the organization of webinars, created specifically for the event, in which topics such as environmental management or the positioning of destinations through unique routes will be addressed. This is the case of the spectacular route 040, which joins Playa del Socorro with Pico del Teide. The development of these activities in a sustainable framework will also be discussed, without forgetting the perspective of the current health crisis.

Virtual hiking to keep the essence of the TWF

In order to maintain the essence of this annual event, a virtual hiking module is offered, which will allow hikers to discover routes and learn about the characteristics and wealth of the area. There are three trails that can be travelled in this particular way; the circular route of Samara, a volcanic route with beautiful sunsets, together with Baracán-Teno Alto-Faro de Teno, a perfect combination between laurel forests and the sea. There will also be the route that connects the Montes de Anaga hostel with Antequera beach. A dizzying descent, which culminates with the return to Las Teresitas beach by motorboat.

In addition to this digital offer, there are also two face-to-face routes aimed at the local public on Sunday, March 14, which will be organized by the Cabildo, together with volunteer groups and companies from the sector.

The five previous editions of the Tenerife Walking Festival have positioned the event as one of the benchmarks for hiking throughout Europe. In the last edition, held in 2019, it brought together 200 participants of more than 10 different nationalities, including tour operators, travel agents, the media and the final audience. An annual event that has allowed Tenerife to be placed on the international map for the practice of this activity.

Hiking is the most popular sporting activity for visitors to Tenerife. In 2019, before the health crisis, some 580,000 tourists practiced it (9.7% of the total on the island). Some 28.5% of all tourists who go hiking are Germans. Other relevant markets are the national, the French and, to a lesser extent, the British. Teide National Park is the preferred location for 22% of hikers. The Anaga Rural Park is also an outstanding enclave of activity. 

El ‘Tenerife Walking Festival 2021’ abre sus inscripciones para su nueva edición ‘online’

La Sardina de la Inclusión celebrates 15 editions with a virtual format

La Laguna celebrates the Sardine of Inclusion, a day to make disability visible

Music and Carnival, the perfect therapy for the integration of people with disabilities, which the Sardine of Inclusion intends, has grown to reach 15 editions. This year, under the slogan "Don't let a pandemic stop us!", it will take place in a virtual format and full of surprises. 

The Sardine of Inclusion started in a Special Education Centre in the north of Tenerife, where the benefits of music are used to work with students who present different pathologies, appreciating an important evolution in their quality of life. The multidisciplinary workshops are complemented with music therapy, up to the point of taking to the streets to show the work. What better date than Carnival? The evolution has been enormous. Last year people came from all parts of Tenerife and other islands with the change to La Laguna as the setting. It is always celebrated on the Wednesday following the Sardine of Santa Cruz. On February 24th, the XV Sardine of Inclusion will be faithful to its appointment. 

The pandemic has shown up many deficiencies for people with reduced mobility; difficulties in nursing homes; isolation of deaf people with masks, and so on.

The usual march through La Laguna, which in 2020 gathered some 8,000 people shortly before the declaration of the state of alarm, isn't possible, but the pandemic will not stop the celebration of the XV edition of La Sardina de la Inclusión (Sardine of Inclusion). 

The social and educational reality of the global pandemic changes the structure of the event, "but not the hope," say the organisers. Online development will be a key part of this event that includes poster and photography contests. Also in virtual format, and, as a novelty, is a batukada contest where social distancing will not silence the sound of the drums. Participate on social networks and on the website www.sardinadelainclusion.com.

Protest Song

Another novelty is a collective protest-song, where each group, centre, collective or murga that wants to participate can do so. The theme is the difficulties encountered by people with disabilities on a daily basis with a tribute to disabled athletes. Bambones, Diablos Locos, Zeta Zetas, Mamelucos and Marchilongas have confirmed their presence in the project. 

Percusión y Carnaval: terapia de integración

LA SARDINA DE LA INCLUSIÓN

Santa Cruz Tenerife Carnival Program 2022

One of the Maids of Honour at the Opening Parade in 2019

If, by some miracle, things get back to normal and carnival takes place in its previous normal format in 2022, then, based on the schedule from previous years, and obviously, very much subject to change, carnival events in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2022 might look like this. We'll update when or IF the carnival organisers publish an official calendar.

Highlighted are the events and parades in the streets.

• Fri 28 Jan 2022: Inauguration of Carnival
• Thu 3 Feb 2022: 1st Phase of Junior Murgas
• Fri 4 Feb 2022: 2nd Phase of Junior Murgas
• Sat 5 Feb 2022: 3rd Phase of Junior Murgas
• Sun 6 Feb 2022: Festival of Coreographed Groups
• Mon 7 Feb 2022: 1st Phase of Adult Murgas
• Tue 8 Feb 2022: 2nd Phase of Adult Murgas
• Wed 9 Feb 2022: 3rd Phase of Adult Murgas
• Fri 11 Feb 2022: Final of the Murga Contests
• Sat 12 Feb 2022: Contest of the Musical Groups
• Sun 13 Feb 2022: Election of the Junior Carnival Queen
• Wed 16 Feb 2022: Election of the Senior Carnival Queen
• Fri 18 Feb 2022: Comedy Song Contest
• Sat 19 Feb 2022: Comparsas Contest
• Sun 20 Feb 2022: Costume Contest and the Rondallas Contest
• Tue 22 Feb 2022: Concert of Los Fregolinos
• Wed 23 Feb 2022: Gala Election of the Carnival Queen
• Thu 24 Feb 2022: Zarzuela Festival
• Fri 25 Feb 2022: Opening Parade
• Sat 26 Feb 2022: Rythym & Harmony Comparsas
• Sun 27 Feb 2022: Daytime Carnival
• Mon 28 Feb 2022: Carnival Monday
• Tue 1 Mar 2022: Shrove Tuesday – Main Parade
• Wed 2 Mar 2022: Burial of the Sardine
• Thu 3 Mar 2022: Festival of Rondallas
• Fri 4 Mar 2022: Children's Carnival Parade 
• Sat 5 Mar 2022: Daytime Carnival
• Sun 6 Mar 2022: Vintage Cars, End of Carnival Parties and Fireworks

Tenerife Carnival Dates for 2022

Lights in the streets of Santa Cruz during carnival

IF - and we know it's a BIG IF - carnival goes ahead as normal in 2022, these are the dates when it should take place, based on the previous timetables from many previous years. Obviously, everything is uncertain and still subject to confirmation or change.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival
Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2022 would normally take to the streets between Friday, 25 February 2022 and Sunday, 6 March 2022. The main events would thus be:

• Wednesday 23 February 2022 - Election of the Carnival Queen
• Friday 25 February 2022 - Carnival Opening Parade
• Tuesday 1 March 2022 - Carnival Main Parade
• Wednesday 2 March 2022 - Burial of the Sardine
• Saturday 5 March 2022 - Daytime Carnival 
• Sunday 6 March 2022 - Parade of Vintage Cars

Puerto de la Cruz Carnival

• Thursday 24 February 2022 - Election of the Carnival Queen
• Saturday 26 February 2022 - Proclamatory Parade
• Wednesday 2 March 2022 - Burial of the Sardine
• Friday 4 March 2022 - Men´s Marathon in High Heels
• Saturday 5 March 2022 - Main Parade

Los Gigantes Carnival

The start of carnival in Los Gigantes is usually on the Friday ten days after Shrove Tuesday. Therefore, using the any year schedule for Los Gigantes carnival, we calculate that their carnival should start on Friday 11 March 2022, with their main parade being held on Sunday 13 March 2022, but will update if we get any further information.

Los Cristianos Carnival

As ever, we won't even guess when Los Cristianos carnival will be held in 2022. We will update if or when any information becomes available from the authorities in Arona. 
  
If you wish to be informed when information about Los Cristianos Carnival 2022 becomes available, may I suggest that you subscribe to our email updates, or our news feed, follow our Facebook page, or our Twitter tweets, or all of them, or whichever is your preference, as whatever I post here will also be posted to all of those social media.

COVID-19 | Tenerife raised to alert level 2

COVID-19 | Tenerife and Gran Canaria go to alert level 2

The update of measures will be effective at 00.00 hours this Monday, February 22, once the extraordinary restrictions approved for the carnival period expire.

The Ministry of Health has agreed this Sunday, February 21, after analysing the evolution of the indicators to raise the island of Tenerife to alert level 2 and lower Gran Canaria to this same level, while El Hierro and Fuerteventura go to level 1. The islands of Lanzarote and La Graciosa remain unchanged, which continues at level 4, and La Palma and La Gomera at level 1. The changes will come into effect coinciding with the weekly update and will remain in effect until February 28, except in the case of Tenerife, which will be until March 7.

Alert level 2 (Tenerife and Gran Canaria)

Limitation of the freedom of movement of people at night [curfew]

Freedom of movement is restricted at night from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. every day.

Capacity among non-cohabitants in public and private spaces

Groups of people are limited to a maximum of 6, except in the case of cohabitants. If the group includes both cohabiting and non-cohabiting people, it must not exceed 6 people.

Specific measures for hotels, restaurants and terraces, bars and cafes

The number of diners per table is reduced to 6 people and closing before 23.00. On terraces or in other outdoor spaces the maximum authorized capacity will be 75% and indoors restricted to 50%, with a maximum of 2 people allowed at the bar, with a safety distance between them of 2 meters. Activities that encourage not maintaining interpersonal safety distance or not wearing masks, such as dances, karaoke, etc., are prohibited.

Sport practice

For group activities in the interior areas of sports facilities and centres where it is not possible to maintain a safety distance of 2 meters permanently, a maximum number of 6 people per group is allowed, including the monitor. In addition, a safety distance of 2 m between the different groups must be guaranteed at all times. No more than 50% of the capacity for each of the rooms and sports centres.

In the open air, sports are allowed in groups of maximum 6 people, including a monitor, if the interpersonal safety distance of 2 meters cannot be maintained permanently. Non-professional federated sports activity is allowed in modalities with more than 10 people exceeding the maximum necessary for the development of the activity.

Public transport

In the regular urban and metropolitan public land passenger transport, its capacity is reduced to 50%. Surveillance of urban land transportation will be reinforced at peak times to avoid crowds. At peak times, avoid using public transport for non-essential or postponed trips.

Hospitals and health care centres

In hospitals, external visits are limited, being under the supervision of the centre. In addition, the use of FFP2-type masks and face shields is recommended by personnel who have direct care with patients in these centers, as well as reinforcing ventilation.

COVID-19 | Tenerife y Gran Canaria pasan a nivel de alerta 2

Comedy Song Contest from the Guimerá Theater to the world through the Internet

Comedy Song Contest from the Guimerá Theater to the world through the Internet

The veteran contest, presented by Manón Marichal, will be broadcast on the Carnival social networks on February 21 at 9:00 p.m. with the participation of eight groups.

La Canción de la Risa (Comedy Song Contest), the veteran carnival contest presented by Manón Marichal, will have a place in this virtual edition through the broadcast on the official Carnival social networks of a special program with some of the funniest and most creative moments from the participating groups. It will be on Sunday, February 21, starting at 9:00 p.m., when internet users, connected from anywhere in the world, will be able to see the event that sells out of tickets more quickly each year. This special program will feature Los Esc@ndinabos, No tengo el Chichi Pa’farolillos, Las Noveleras, Los Dibujos Animados, Los Legías, La Familia Monster, Los Cornucas Atómicos and Las Gediondas.

Councillor for Fiestas, Alfonso Cabello, recalled that "the 'Song of Laughter' is that contest where the innate creativity of our people is revealed." He valued "the great ability to recount reality from a perspective full of good humor, parodying everyday scenes."

La Canción de la Risa, a contest that celebrated its fifteenth edition in 2020, rewards the best composition and performance of groups made up of a minimum of five and a maximum of twelve members who compete in hilarity for the repertoire and the funniest staging. 

La Canción de la Risa, del Teatro Guimerá al mundo entero a través de Internet

Parade of Vintage Cars in Santa Cruz

Vintage Cars congregate at the Parque García Sanabria

On the last day of carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, every year since 1970, the Club de Automoviles Antiguos de Tenerife (Vintage Car Club in Tenerife) has met at the Parque García Sanabria, with cars on show from around 10 am and then a parade around the city from 12 noon. This should have taken place today, Sunday 21 February 2021. Whether the parade can take place with people suitably isolated in their individual vehicles, or whether it is suspended to avoid crowds of onlookers from gathering, we're unsure. Probably not.

For the 50th anniversary in 2020, together with the president of the club, just over a hundred people rode in 51 vintage cars, dressed in costumes of the era of the 1920s and 1930s, when the importation of vehicles from England and the United States, for 'a particular tariff', allowed Tenerife to motorize long before the island had roads. The highlight of the day was a 1935 Bentley that had taken part in the Le Mans 24 Hours. More images from 2020.

We can merely bring you coverage of this event from last year. This is one in a series of posts that aim to keep the spirit of carnival alive. Or keep the flame burning, so the torch can be passed to the next carnival, whenever we can get back to gathering normally.



GRAN CONCURSO DE AUTOMOVILES ANTIGUOS EN LA CIUDAD DE SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE 50º. (01/03/2020)

Daytime Carnival, the penultimate day of carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Daytime Carnival in the Plaza de la Candelaria on Piñata Saturday 2020

The second of the Daytime Carnival events that usually takes place on the first Saturday of Lent, should have taken place today, Saturday 20 February 2021, but of course, because of the COVID pandemic, will not do so. This event, the penultimate day of carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, usually draws the largest crowds with the biggest international artists. This year virtual carnival events take place between 17 February and 7 March, culminating in a television gala, ‘Santa Cruz, Corazón del Carnaval’ (Santa Cruz, Heart of Carnival).

Today, we can merely bring you coverage of this event from last year. This is one in a series of posts that aim to keep the spirit of carnival alive. Or keep the flame burning, so the torch can be passed to the next carnival, whenever we can get back to gathering normally.

Carnaval de día Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2020

Coso Infantil - Kid's Carnival Parade

Coso Infantil 2020

Today, Friday 19 February, the Coso Infantil (Kid's Carnival Parade) should have taken place, but of course, because of the COVID pandemic, will not do so. This year virtual carnival events take place between 17 February and 7 March, culminating in a television gala, ‘Santa Cruz, Corazón del Carnaval’ (Santa Cruz, Heart of Carnival).

We can merely bring you coverage of this event from last year. This is one in a series of posts that aim to keep the spirit of carnival alive. Or keep the flame burning, so the torch can be passed to the next carnival, whenever we can get back to gathering normally.

Coso Infantil Carnaval 2020

Santa Cruz Virtual Carnival Program 2021

Program consisting of 25 audiovisual activities and multimedia events that will be broadcast on television and the internet through the official website and social networks. The set of activities is made up of 7 photography contests; an exhibition at the Casa del Carnaval; a talk show; and five productions that will be broadcast on Televisión Canaria; in addition to different live broadcasts through OAFAR's social networks. All this is complemented by a series of multimedia surprises that will be revealed during the carnival period. 

• Wednesday 17 February: Publication of the winners of the popular Carnival Widows Contest - 20:30 on Facebook.
• Wednesday 17 February: The Resurgence of the Sardine: starting gun of the Carnival 2021 - 20:30 on Facebook (also here on YouTube)
• Thursday 18 February: Casa del Carnaval - Inauguration of the Exhibition "Traditional Carnivals of the Canary Islands". 
• Friday 19 February: From Queens to Guardians: Presentation of the candidates to become "The Guardians of the Sceptre" - 21:00 on Facebook. 
• Saturday 20 February: Publication of the winners of the Contest The Carnival of your life or how we enjoyed Carnival before 2000 - 19:00 on Facebook.
• Saturday 20 February: Broadcast of the talk show Dialogues of Carnaval I (with designers Leo Martínez + Daniel Pages) - 20:00 on Facebook.
• Sunday 21 February: Publication of the winners of the photography contest, "This year the kids dress up at home" - 12:00 on Facebook.
• Sunday 21 February: Moments to remember: Children's Murgas: El pasacalles de pasacalles (joint performance 2015) - 17:00 on Facebook.
• Sunday 21 February: Broadcast of the talk show Dialogues of Carnaval II (with Maribel Oñate + Dámaso Arteaga) - 20:00 on Facebook.
• Sunday 21 February: Comedy Song Contest - 21:00 on Facebook.
• Monday 22 February: Murgas Adultas: online voting to choose the 10 finalists who will participate in the show "La Canción del Siglo" (The Song of the Century) - from 10:00 on the Carnival Website (continues through Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday).
• Monday 22 February: Parades of Murgas Adultas in the order of participation in the first phase of the 2020 contest - 21:00 on Facebook.
• Tuesday 23 February: Parades of Murgas Adultas in the order of participation in the second phase of the 2020 contest - 21:00 on Facebook.
• Wednesday 24 February: Parades of Murgas Adultas in the order of participation in the third phase of the 2020 contest - 21:00 on Facebook.
• Thursday 25 February: Countdown to the end of online voting. 
• Friday 26 February: Announcement of the 10 Murgas finalists who will participate in the show "La Canción del Siglo" (The Song of the Century) - 21:00 on Facebook.
• Saturday 27 February: Publication of the winners of the photography contests "That's how I came out, that's how I got there" and "Don't bark at me mascarita" - 12:00 on Facebook.
• Saturday 27 February: Broadcast of the talk show Dialogues of Carnival III  - 20:00 on Facebook.
• Sunday 28 February: Publication of the winners of the "Dress up your balcony" contest - 12:00 on Facebook.
• Sunday 28 February: Broadcast of the talk show Dialogues of Carnival IV  - 20:00 on Facebook.
• Wednesday 3 March: La Cantera a show of the children's groups of carnival - 21:30 on Televisión Canaria.
• Thursday 4 March: "Las Voces del Carnaval" (The Voices of Carnival) a show about the rondallas and musical groups - 21:30 on Televisión Canaria.
• Friday 5 March: "La Canción del Siglo" (The Song of the Century) a show from the stage of the "The Fair Recint" dotted with anecdotes and interviews, with live voting to choose the best song of the last two decades - 22:15 on Televisión Canaria.
• Saturday 6 March: The night of the Comparsas a show from the stage of the "The Fair Recint" with live voting where the public chooses the best group - 21:30 on Televisión Canaria.
• Sunday 7 March: "Santa Cruz Corazón del Carnaval" (Santa Cruz Heart of Carnival) a show in which the "Guardians of the Sceptre", a team made up of three former queens of carnival will be chosen through a live voting system - 21:30 on Televisión Canaria and Radio y Televisión Española.

Of the five shows to be broadcast by Televisión Canaria, there's a chance these will also be streamed live on the CarnavalTVC YouTube Channel or be available there later.

Carnival Program 2021 (Via)

Which is the best Tenerife carnival parade?

The five main Carnival Parades in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2020

This year, of course, none of the carnival parades have been able to take place and right now, we have no idea if or when they will be able to do so in their previous formats again. But should they do so, which one is best? If you could only go to one of them, which one should you choose? Hopefully, this will help. These five are the main parades:

Cabalgata anunciadora - Opening Parade

There is a special sort of excitement surrounding the first parade in the streets each year on the Friday before Shrove Tuesday. And it takes place in the evening, which imparts a different atmosphere than daytime parades, although it starts early enough for kids to see the start of it at least. At the end of the parade are the many decorated vehicles - busses and trucks made into truly mobile discos - and it goes on for around four hours or so and rolls right into the first night of the orchestras and other night time entertainments that go on until dawn. The fun fair should be operating and there will be plenty of street food, so you can get a flavour of everything. The only downside to choosing the Opening Parade as the only one to go to, would be then wanting to stay for all the rest once you're hooked!

Ritmo y Armonía - Rhythm & Harmony

Part show, part parade and part contest, the Rhythm & Harmony Comparsas Contest usually takes place on the first Saturday night of carnival week. The comparsa dance troupes display their talents and the adult carnival queen and her court of around four maids of honour take part in this event, but not the other candidates, nor the junior and senior queens. Perfectly good if you want lively, a bit shorter than the other parades and just a flavour of carnival and a Saturday Night Out. It is also one of the events for which you can normally get tickets for the stands if you want somewhere to sit relatively comfortably to watch.

Coso Apoteosis - Carnival Main Parade

Obviously, as the main parade of carnival, on Shrove Tuesday, this has the participation of everyone and his dog (often literally). Beginning quite promptly at around 4pm (the need to keep to TV schedules these days) and going on for around four hours, is early enough for a leisurely dinner before going out in the evening, or in time for almost everyone's bedtime. Always headed up by the murga group, Afilarmónica Nifú Nifá, the parade follows an established order of winning comparsas, the carnival queen, then down the list of murgas, comparsas, maids of honour, junior carnival queen and her court, senior queen then her court, other groups, personalities, decorated floats, some of the non-winning carnival candidates may parade too, et al. There are probably around 100 carnival groups of various type in total, so it is thousands of people. You will see everyone in this parade. You can also get seats in the stands to make it a bit more comfortable, although it can get a bit warm if the weather is good: it could be worse if it rained, I guess. Because it is the main event, it would be easy to choose this as the one that simply cannot be missed and maybe it is.

Entierro de la Sardina - Burial of the Sardine

Blasphemous and pornographic, this is the ideal family night out! No, seriously, despite appearances, it is a safe and friendly night and what else did you have to do on Ash Wednesday anyway? It is surreal. It is weirder than anything you could ever imagine. The whole concept of holding a funeral for an effigy of a fish and parading it through the city, with half the congregation dressed up as dildo-waving clergy as a piss-take and mourning it in very sexualised drag befitting street-walkers is, well, alien to us. But if you're looking for something you definitely won't see anywhere else, this could be the one.

Coso Infantil - Children's Carnaval Parade

If you just want to dip your toe into carnival waters and are not quite ready for the big parades or hedonistic all-nighters, or you have kids yourself, then this is the parade for you. See the junior carnival queen and her court, as well as a plethora of small people in the cutest costumes. The Children's Carnival Parade opens the final weekend of carnival.

Obviously, there's no 'best', it depends on who you are and what you like.

Remembering the Carnival of Los Gigantes

Remembering the Carnival of Los Gigantes 1995

Santiago del Teide Council are running their First Photography Contest, entitled "Remembering the Carnival", which is open to all people over 18 years old resident and registered in the municipality (the deadline for entries is February 26, at 2:00 p.m.), being mandatory that the image to be presented is from any of the editions of the Carnival of Los Gigantes.

Included in the contest announcement was the information that, "The aspiring works that have been sent by email and that duly comply with the requirements established in these bases will be published, accompanied by their corresponding motto or title, on the social networks of the consistory during the celebration of the Virtual Carnival 2021 events, highlighting that said publication process will be executed and supervised, in any case, by a member of the organization."

In other words, we can deduce that Los Gigantes is holding a Virtual Carnival 2021.  

The jury's decision on the photographs will take place on February 27, and will be notified through a press release, website and municipal social networks. 

I edición del Concurso de Fotografía “Recordando el Carnaval” de Los Gigantes

Entierro de la Sardina - Burial of the Sardine

Sardine on the way to it's cremation 2020

Today, Ash Wednesday, 17 February 2021, should be the date of the blasphemous and surreal - but very fun - Entierro de la Sardina (Burial of the Sardine), but of course, because of the COVID pandemic, carnival will not be taking place. This year virtual carnival events take place between 17 February and 7 March, culminating in a television gala, ‘Santa Cruz, Corazón del Carnaval’ (Santa Cruz, Heart of Carnival). 

We can merely bring you coverage of this event from last year. This is one in a series of posts that aim to keep the spirit of carnival alive. Or keep the flame burning, so the torch can be passed to the next carnival, whenever we can get back to gathering normally.


Entierro De La Sardina En Santa Cruz De Tenerife 26.02.2020

Coso Apoteosis - Carnival Main Parade

The Carnival Queen 2020, Sara Cruz Teja, approaches behind Comparsa Los Cariocas

Today, Martes del Carnaval or Shrove Tuesday 16 February, the Coso Apoteosis (Carnival's Main Parade) should have taken place, but of course, because of the COVID pandemic, will not do so. And it will be very sorely missed. This year virtual carnival events take place between 17 February and 7 March, culminating in a television gala, ‘Santa Cruz, Corazón del Carnaval’ (Santa Cruz, Heart of Carnival).

We can merely bring you coverage of this event from last year. This is one in a series of posts that aim to keep the spirit of carnival alive. Or keep the flame burning, so the torch can be passed to the next carnival, whenever we can get back to gathering normally.

Coso Apoteosis del Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2020

Los Indianos in Santa Cruz de La Palma 2021

Los Indianos in Santa Cruz de La Palma Image: Walter Stumreich, CC BY-SA 3.0

Just as with carnival in Tenerife, Los Indianos in Santa Cruz de La Palma cannot take place this year in its usual format and no street carnival will be held, because of the COVID pandemic. The event, which takes place on Carnival Monday, the day before Shrove Tuesday, therefore, should have taken place today, Monday, 15 February 2021. 

Santa Cruz de La Palma City Council has said they will organize an edition of the carnival adapted to the current pandemic, to maintain the celebration, albeit in a different way, with workshops, exhibitions, costume contests through the City Council's social networks, as well as talks and performances. Any face-to-face activities, will be limited capacity. Work is already underway on the 2022 carnival, hoped to be held in a normal manner.

Los Indianos de Santa Cruz de La Palma 2020

Virtual visit to Sister María de Jesús in 2021

Sarcophagus of Sister María de Jesús

The nuns of the convent of Santa Catalina de Siena in La Laguna had planned to open their doors as usual this year so that the faithful and curious could view the incorrupted body of Sor María de Jesús on 15 February, the 290th anniversary of her death and the following Sunday - albeit with numerous security measures in place - however, in a post to their Facebook page on Friday, said, "We regret to inform you that because we have not received permission from the Health Dept. today, and therefore, for health reasons beyond the control of the Monastery, WE HAVE DECIDED TO SUSPEND THE VISIT to the sarcophagus of La Siervita and the events scheduled for this year (Monday 15 and Sunday 21)."

"Although we cannot come to visit her personally, we do ask that you continue to ask her intercession so that this pandemic ends soon [...] Through our Facebook we will do everything possible so that you can see it live on Monday the 15th during the day."

Sister María de Jesús, known as La Siervita, was born in 1643 in El Sauzal. After various personal vicissitudes, she ended up in La Laguna, where she entered the convent of Santa Catalina de Siena, where she passed away on February 15, 1731.

The video below, made originally to promote the openings, goes give you a glimpse of the defunct nun, as well as a look inside the convent and its superb architecture. 

Sor Maria de Jesús - La Siervita 2021

Buñuelos de Carnaval (Carnival Fritters)

Buñuelos de Carnaval - Carnival fritters

We've had Rebanadas de Carnaval - French Toast and Tortitas de Carnaval - Carnival Pancakes among Carnival Foods; Buñuelos de manzana (Apple Fritters), Buñuelos de almendra (Almond fritters) and even Buñuelos de viento (Nun's Farts). Now we bring you Buñuelos de Carnaval - Carnival Fritters, which we'd like to think are full of carnival flavour! Or it might be just alcohol. "Carnival fritters are an essential recipe for these dates," we're told. "It is a traditional Carnival sweet that has a number of incredibly good properties. The joy of the party will be translated into fried donuts that will delight everyone, with very simple ingredients. One of the great "secrets" of this sweet is the two tablespoons of cognac or other liquor that we are passionate about gives it. [Personally, I'd say rum would be more typical of the fiestas.] It will seem they are taken from another dimension."

Ingredients:

4 large eggs

250 ml milk

150 gr of flour

90 gr of white sugar

2 tablespoons brandy [or rum, or whatever]

1 teaspoon yeast

Sunflower oil

Icing sugar to decorate

Method:

Separate the egg yolks from the whites and beat the whites until stiff. Place the egg whites in the fridge to rest for about 10 minutes.

Add half the sugar to the egg whites, little by little. The idea is to not decrease the volume.

In another bowl, mix the egg yolks with the milk. Add a splash of cognac or other liquor (anise is also an option that will give a very traditional flavour).

Add the other half of the sugar, the sifted flour and yeast to this mixture and beat well. There should not be any lumps, to achieve a light and uniform dough.

Fold the beaten egg whites into the yolk mixture with care and enveloping movements so that it maintains the maximum possible fluffiness. Let this dough rest for about 30 minutes before starting to create the fritters.

In a frying pan, heat the oil over medium heat. With two spoons, shape the fritters and drop them into the oil to fry them (best done in small batches so as not to cool the oil).

When they are ready, remove from the oil and place them on absorbent paper to remove the excess. Dust with a little icing sugar and serve. 

Buñuelos de Carnaval

Buñuelos de Carnaval

The First Daytime Carnival in Santa Cruz

At the first Daytime Carnival in 2020

A couple of jelly fish and a shark
at the Daytime Carnival in 2019

In better times, today Sunday, 14 February, would have been the first of the Carnaval de Día (Daytime Carnival) events taking place in Santa Cruz. The introduction of this event some years ago [2008], was in my opinion, genius. During the day there is a much wider range of entertainment for an even more diverse range of of ages in attendance from the smallest kids in strollers to old folk - people who may not be happy going out in these crowds at night or it's way past their bedtime. 

For me the best activities during Daytime Carnival are watching people in costume walk past or wandering around all the different areas of carnival, seeing people's costumes, which, during the day means whole families, including the dog. It is customary for families, groups of friends, work colleagues, etc., to dress alike and this can have hilarious results. Some are professional, some are home made: all are amazingly creative and a joy to see. 

This year, of course, because of the COVID pandemic, carnival will not be taking place and instead, virtual carnival events will take place between 17 February and 7 March. 

Images of the Daytime Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on Sunday, February 23, 2020. 

Carnaval de día Tenerife 2020

The Santa Cruz Sunday morning flea market could open this month after a year closed

Rastro de Santa Cruz de Tenerife Image: Mataparda, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The flea market in the capital of Tenerife, which was closed before last year's carnival, is scheduled to resume its activity before the end of February, Carmen Tejera, president of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Rastro Association, told newsagency EFE on Friday.

Carmen Tejera explained that the mayor of the city, José Manuel Bermúdez, called her on Thursday to communicate that once the island has passed to phase 1 of the measures adopted due to the coronavirus pandemic, the rastro will be able to resume its activity.

The Rastro de Santa Cruz de Tenerife market has been held on Sunday mornings since 1991, next to the Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África. Before 1991, the market was held on Sundays along the Avenida de Anaga. When it reopens, the flea market will have a temporary home along the esplanade near the Cabildo de Tenerife.

The market closed last year in January due to the rains and the closure was maintained during the carnival, as well as during the following two weeks due to the rain, and then on March 14 the confinement arrived, Carmen Tejera recalled.

At that time there were 631 stalls in the flea market and it will reopen with the 412 stalls that have renewed their licenses, with a limited entry and exit, and with a separation of one and a half meters. The security measures will be the same as in any shopping centre, and so on the market there will be gels and the use of masks will be mandatory.

The new location will be provisional, because the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council has promised that it will return to the Recova area eventually, once the pandemic is over and there is health security. Carmen Tejera has commented that the traditional location is less safe because there are many access roads and control is more difficult, but, she has insisted, the agreement is to return to that area.

This year it has been "very bad" for stallholders and when the mayor called Carmen Tejera to say that there was a license [for the market to reopen], "tears came to her eyes", because it must be taken into account that although some of the people who are on the flea market receive pensions, the amount is small and insufficient to cover all their needs.

El rastro de Santa Cruz podría abrir este mes tras un año cerrado