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Almogrote (Canarian Cheese Pâté)

Almogrote (Canarian Cheese Pâté)

This pâté, originally from the island of La Gomeraalmogrote is made from cured cheese, garlic, pepper (and/or tomato) and oil. Although it's usually prepared with Canarian goat cheese, almost any cured and slightly dry variety can be used. 

Ingredients:

150 gr of cured goat cheese
2 or 3 medium very ripe tomatoes (some recipes use red pepper or a combination of both)
2 cloves of garlic
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt
And optional sweet pimentón (paprika)

Method

Wash the tomatoes, remove the stalk, make two small cross cuts in the upper area. Peel the garlic and place them on a baking sheet along with the tomatoes, drizzle them with olive oil and, if you wish, sprinkle with a teaspoon of pimentón (paprika). Roast them in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes at 200ºC. Meanwhile, remove the skin from the cheese, grate with a fine grater, and reserve. Once roasted, remove the tomatoes and garlic from the oven and allow to cool. Add the grated cheese, a dash of olive oil and salt to taste and mix to a paste. 

Dust off your lightsaber: ‘Science Fiction’ to be the theme of Santa Cruz Carnival 2022

Stormtrooper S/C at the Casa del Carnaval with Mayor José Manuel Bermudez and Councilor Alfonso Cabello. Theme of the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2022: Science Fiction. 

The calima was the protagonist of the Santa Cruz Carnival in 2020, which, for many, was an omen of what would come later. After a year of pandemic, the Carnival of 2021 was a virtual, on screen party only. For this reason, the Carnival of 2022 is for many the party of revenge, that of "goodbye pandemic, hello vaccine." At least that is how it it is being interpreted from the level of participation in the vote to choose the theme for next year's Carnival, the largest in recent years, with almost 6,000 people. And among the three proposed themes, Science Fiction emerged as the clear winner, with more than half of the votes.

As acknowledged by the Councillor for Fiestas, Alfonso Cabello, "everyone will have their own interpretation, but I would like to think that the theme has been liked a lot and that people are looking forward to Carnival."

Science Fiction competed with Television and New York - the latter a subject preferred by the director of the Galas, Enrique Camacho - but Cabello's favourite, was the winner. It seems that the desire to dream and escape from a harsh reality has prevailed, even more than that of any film that comes to mind related to the genre, such as Star Wars itself, which just celebrated 44 years since its premiere.

Zombies, superheroes, aliens, time travel, parallel realities, machines that conquer the world or even killer viruses that infect the world's population are some of the themes that will nurture the imagination of carnival people, who, once vaccinated, will go out to the street, if there is a street party. Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez has already warned, “the final decision on whether the party will be held will be taken at the end of September and we will do so based on the evolution of the pandemic. For the chicharreros, normality will return when thousands of people can enjoy themselves, in the street”. 



Stormtrooper S/C is a Star Wars fan association in Tenerife. It was born in 2014 as a carnival group in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, who participate in the main and opening parades. The following year they began to carry out their first social and charitable events in addition to participating in the Tenerife Lan Party. The group is characterized by the creation of their costumes from scratch and for it's sense of humour. It is estimated that it is made up of around 60 members, the centre and main symbol of the group being the Stormtroopers or Imperial Soldiers. 

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival Queen 1999

Carnival Queen in 1999, Laura Pérez Castro

Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 1999 was Laura Pérez Castro in a costume, "A los pies de Yalpur" (At the foot of Jaipur) designed by Vicente Vargas, representing Azul Televisión

In 1999, the court was made up as follows:

  1. 1st Maid of Honour: María Sonia Francisco Padilla, with a costume entitled "Centroamericana" (Central American), representing Centro Comercial Alcampo - La Laguna and designed by Leo Martínez.
  2. 2nd Maid of Honour: Yaiza Díaz Sánchez, with "El poder de lo inverso" (The power of the reverse), representing Centro Comercial del Mueble and designed by Miguel Ángel Castilla Abreu.
  3. 3rd Maid of Honour: Ingry Tavío Mejías, with a costume entitled "Tiffanys", representing Almacenes El Kilo and designed by Leovid Canarias.
  4. 4th Maid of Honour: Rebeca Saray Paniagua Navarro, with a costume entitled "¡Que las baile Rita la cantaora!" (Let Rita the singer dance them!), representing Academia de Modas Mayjo (Mayjo Fashion Academy) and designed by Expedita Hernández.

The theme in 1999 was 'Comic World': and the stage returned to the Plaza de España, with a set filled with superheroes. To preside over the stage of that year, a patriotic superhero for the island of Tenerife was created, who was baptized as "Super Chicha" short for "Super Chicharrero" (chicharrero being the popular name of the inhabitants of the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife). The character was created by Guillermo Afonso and Captain America served as inspiration. 

The giant statue of Super Chicha was located in the centre of the stage, next to it was a bust of Lara Croft along with more superheroes from the world of comics. A wall that mimicked a comic page served as a backdrop and Super Chicha, with a raised fist and the shield in the other hand, seemed to be coming out of it.

After the carnival, the sculpture was exhibited in the La Salud neighbourhood market in Santa Cruz until 2012, when the City Council was forced to dismantle the sculpture due to its deterioration, causing a great controversy in the city and the island, especially among the carnival groups. It is expected (hoped?) that in the future a copy of the original statue can be made and placed outside the Casa del Carnaval de Santa Cruz, the museum dedicated to this emblematic festival.

Super Chicha is still considered an allegorical and recurring character of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival. In 2017, the costume used by the members of the Los Chinchosos murga was precisely Super ChichaSuper Chicha wears a blue mask with white wings, blue chest and white gloves, the rest of the costume is blue, with white boots and carries a shield in the colors and shape of the Tenerife flag.

8 Canarian expressions you may not know

The old Estación de Guaguas (Bus Station) in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife
Juan Manuel Parra from Puerto de la Cruz, Spain, CC BY-SA 2.0

If you're familiar with the Spanish spoken in the Canary Islands, you'll know that it's not like the Spanish spoken in mainland Spain - in much the same way as Britain and the United States are "countries divided by a common language". Less so these days, but there are still different uses of vocabulary or expressions that have grown up in each place. That's part of the beauty of living languages. Anyway, even having spoken Canario now for almost 30 years, there were still some here that I hadn't heard or didn't fully understand: 

1. Chacho

The multipurpose Canarian word par excellence. Defining it is as simple as threading a needle with your eyes closed. Shortening the word "muchacho" (boy/lad/youngster), is usually associated with the expression of surprise or call for attention, but the truth is that "chacho" is like a paintbrush: the limit is not in the tool, but in your creativity and talent to use it to express what you feel. From the soft "chacho ..." that one lets out when a friend leaves her boyfriend, to the popular "chacho, chacho, chacho ..." that one lets out when seeing what the apartment looks like the morning after a party, passing to the "Chaaaacho!" that you let out when you find a fine on the car, or the mythical submachine gun of “CHACHO! CHACHO! CHACHO CHACHO CHAAAACHO !!!" that you recite at the top of your lungs when a car driven by a useless person knocks your motorcycle to the ground when reversing to park. Discover your preferred use by using it in different contexts.

2. Guagua (Bus)

The look of the outsider when he hears this word is never indifferent. "What is a guagua?" they ask surprised, trying to imagine the mystical animal that the native islanders have named after the four winds. The aura of mystery fades when discovering that it is a simple, everyday bus, but it's curious how outsiders still don't believe that this is the official name we give to buses in the Canary Islands, not merely a colloquial expression.

3. Se me fue el baifo (My kid escaped)

A poetic reference to the baby goat, baifo, which could easily become lost if the shepherd was not attentive to the flock. An ancestral expression, with its livestock roots, that portrays that mental lapse that we all suffer at some time in which our mind, well, isn't there. Losing attention, forgetting what one wanted to express or saying something unintentionally can all be situations in which this expression can come to shine. 

4. Agüita

The Canarians fondness for using diminutive words is well known, as in this case. Imagine that you're in the water on a surfboard and suddenly on the horizon, you see a terrifying wall of water for which you were not prepared, approaching at a speed greater than you're capable of in reaching the shore. A perfect occasion to use this expression, whose meaning does not necessarily have to be linked to an aquatic situation, which we mainly use to show concern, astonishment or excitement. "Agüita", like many Canarian expressions, takes on its meaning depending on the context and reason for which it is used.

5. Fos, chos, ños

Yes, they are words, I swear. "FOS" is a expression of disgust against bad smells that can assault our delicate noses. "CHOS" and "ÑOS" are idioms with similar characteristics, although the first fits more with the expression of unexpected surprise and the second as a manifestation of being impressed. Chos, how difficult this is to explain. ños, I've written two pages already.

6. Oss

Canarians see too many people wasting saliva when they're happy about something. Why say things like "Hey man, you don't know how glad I am that they have raised your salary, they have valued your continuous effort, you deserve it, keep it up because you're going to go far and I'll always be there to support you because I love you ..." when you can just hug, take a breath and yell "OSSSSSSS ??". This Canarian expression encompasses all the emotion that one can feel for something that brings us joy or excites us in any way.

7. Bajar pa abajo (Go down downwards)

I know what you're thinking, this phrase is a bit redundant. But it's that in some things Canarians are perfectionists and what is wrong with making things clear? It is one thing to tell Lucia to go down and another to tell her where she has to go. In this case, downwards. She knows where that is.

8. Ya el conejo me enriscó la perra (The rabbit curled up the bitch)

This one I've never heard of, much less used. Its origin, according to Luis Rivero, comes from “… when the rabbit, fleeing from the [hunting] pack, goes up steep places that are difficult to access, it can be dangerous for the dogs. On occasions - we presume - there will have been some setback in the course of the chase, in which the rabbit in its hasty flight has endangered the dog. When someone is going to attack or offend another, but encounters a setback and becomes cowed and chastened by the retribution he receives”.

Príncipe Alberto (Prince Albert Dessert)

Postre Príncipe Alberto (Prince Albert Dessert)

Postre Príncipe Alberto (Prince Albert Dessert) is originally from the island of La Palma, created by Doña Matilde Arroyo. It seems that this dessert was made by Matilde coinciding with a visit by the then Grimaldi heir to the island. It has also been called Canarian Tiramisu. There is the long version where you make your own cake for the base of the dish, but below we give you the quick version, using boudoir biscuits. (Here step-by-step in pictures).

Ingredients:
- 200 gr. dark chocolate 72% cocoa
- 100 gr. butter or margarine
- Coffee
- 4 eggs
- 8 tablespoons of sugar
- 100 gr. almond
- 100 gr. hazelnut
- 200 ml. of double cream
- 400 gr. of boudoir biscuits

Preparation:
Place the butter and the dark chocolate, in pieces, in a bowl over pan of water on a medium heat, and leave it until they are completely melted, stirring with a wooden spoon. Allow to cool. Make coffee and reserve until it cools.

Crush the almonds and hazelnuts, and mix them in a small bowl, reserving about 3 tablespoons of the hazelnut and almond mixture to garnish.

Separate the egg whites from the yolks. Beat the whites until stiff, adding 4 tablespoons of sugar. Beat the yolks, adding 4 tablespoons of sugar, until doubled in volume. Fold the yolks into the whites carefully, making enveloping movements with a rubber spatula, reserve.

Whip the cream. Add the cooled, melted chocolate into the cream and beat well.

Add the chocolate cream little by little to the eggs, mixing them very slowly with enveloping movements. Add the almonds and hazelnuts, again carefully, with enveloping movements.

To assemble the dessert, put a layer of chocolate cream, and then a layer of biscuits soaked in coffee, then a layer of chocolate cream and another layer of biscuits soaked in coffee and so on, until the chocolate cream is finished

Decorate with the reserved, crushed almonds and hazelnuts. Chill in the fridge for a couple of hours or even overnight because the more time, the more concentrated the flavour. 

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival Queen 1998

Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 1998, Natalia Castilla Bermúdez

Carnival Queen in 1998 was Natalia Castilla Bermúdez in a costume entitled, 'Miss Shaigón' (Miss Saigon) designed by Leo Martínez and representing Almacenes El Kilo

Theme of Santa Cruz Carnival in 1998 was The Middle Ages: The set of that year - in the The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses - was a medieval castle with flags, coats of arms and coloured conical roofs.

In 1998, the court was made up as follows:

  1. 1st Maid of Honour: Guacimara Díaz Luis, with a costume entitled “Reflejo de un ojo dorado” (Reflection of a golden eye), representing Swarovski Ibérica and designed by Marcos Marrero y María Díaz.
  2. 2nd Maid of Honour: María de los Ángeles Melián, with a costume entitled “San Borondón”, representing Centro Comercial Alcampo - La Laguna and designed by Leo Martínez.
  3. 3rd Maid of Honour: Carmen Pilar Herrera, with “Niágara” (Niagara), representing Santiveri and designed by Juan Carlos Armas.
  4. 4th Maid of Honour: Inmaculada Melián Martín, with a costume entitled “Jaque a la reina” (Check to the queen), representing Centro Comercial del Mueble and designed by Miguel Ángel Castilla Abreu.

Yellow Fever Arrives in Tenerife in 1802

Those who are curious about history know that events are repeated over and over again. More than two hundred years ago the islands lived on permanent guard against epidemics that were unleashed recurrently in Europe or America because people knew that sooner or later some ship would bring them here.

In 1795 New York suffered a severe yellow fever epidemic, which lasted until 1803, reaching epidemic proportions in 1795, 1799, and 1803, claiming thousands of lives over the course of its presence and one historian stated:

“When a ship docked in New York that July with cases of yellow fever, New York merchants were unwilling to admit it was a problem, as even the rumor of illness could affect trade. In correspondence now in the New York Historical Society, merchant Isaac Hicks wrote that most merchants “are willing that [the ship] should enter New York so that the disease would not bog down business and be let your shipment be sold."

In 1792, the command of the Canary Islands was held by the general commander José de Perlasca, a substitute for the beloved Antonio Gutiérrez y Otero (the Spanish Lieutenant general best known for repelling Admiral Nelson's attack on Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 1797, was named Commander-General of the Canary Islands in 1791, who had died in 1799.) At that time, the fluid exchange of ships between Tenerife and New York caused great fear that the island would be infected with yellow fever. The health certificates were the only thing that allowed to allow a ship to anchor and, if it didn't have one, it went directly to quarantine. Notice how the Commander, an incontestable authority, ordered that a merchant from Tenerife comply with the rules.

"My Dear Sir:

As New York is one of the places where yellow fever has wreaked the greatest damage, it demands that the interests of Public Health be carried out with the greatest circumspection with the ships that come from that area: because taking into account that the American Frigate, that Your Grace speaks to me in your letter yesterday, brings a Letter of Health and that there is nothing new [no symptoms] in your crew; I have arranged for it to only do the ten-day quarantine, which is the only thing that is possible to prevent any occurrence; For in matters of Health, discretion is not possible, as I wish to have it in as much as it can please Your Grace, whose life I pray to God that He will keep many years.

Santa Cruz de Santiago, February 8, 1802"

When there is a single command and rules that are strictly applied, epidemic crises are stopped, first with information and then with determination.

Carlos Cólogan Soriano

Homemade lentil stew with chorizo

Lentejas

Today we present you a recipe for lentils - Lentejas caseras con chorizo (Homemade lentils with chorizo) - in the traditional style, that in addition to being delicious are very nutritious. One of the favourite dishes in La Laguna, they have a small amount of fat that the chorizo, but are almost "light" (suitable for a diet). Lentils are a good source of protein, especially when combined with rice.
 
Ingredients (for 4 people):
 
350 grams of lentils
1 green pepper
1 onion
1 carrot
1 medium potato
2 cloves of garlic
100 grams of chorizo
5 tablespoons of olive oil
1 teaspoon of sweet paprika
1 litre and a half of water
Salt
1 bay leaf

Method

Put the lentils in the drainer and rinse them well. Then put the lentils in a pot and add the water. Cut the tip of the pepper and put it in the pot. Also add the bay leaf, 1 teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of paprika.

Chop the potato and add it to the pot. Cut the carrot into small cubes and add it to the lentils. Cut the chorizo into slices and add it to the pot. While the lentils are cooking, prepare the sauce. Chop the onion and cut the garlic into slices.

Heat a pan with the oil and add the onion and garlic. Leave over medium heat until they poach and take some color. Put the sauce in the blender with a glass and a half of water. Blend for a minute and then add to the pot and mix. When the lentils are tender (about 45 minutes) remove the pepper and bay leaf.

Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. 

Accompany with rice or crusty bread. 

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival Queen 1997

Barbie version of the Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 1997

Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz in 1997, was Soledad León Rancel with a costume entitled, "Mamut" (Mammoth), designed by Leo Martinez, representing Almacenes El Kilo.

1997 Carnival poster
The theme of Carnival in 1997 was 'Prehistory': The set was a rocky mountain made of papier-mâché in the centre of the Centro Internacional de Ferias y Congresos de Tenerife, the second year the carnival contests were held there.

In 1997, the court was made up as follows:

  1. 1st Maid of Honour: Ingrid Pérez García, with a costume entitled “Naturalmente, el paraíso” (Naturally paradise), representing Santiveri and designed by Juan Carlos Armas.
  2. 2nd Maid of Honour: Elsa María Suárez López, with a costume entitled “Y conmigo se acabaron las peleas” (And with me the fights are over), representing Barbacoa Tacoronte and designed by Jonathan Suárez.
  3. 3rd Maid of Honour: María Onelia Segredo León, with a costume entitled “Ninoska”, representing Centro Comercial Alcampo - La Laguna and designed by Leo Martínez.
  4. 4th Maid of Honour: Noemí Alonso Caraballo, with a costume entitled “Turbulencia” (Turbulence), representing Centro Comercial del Mueble and designed by Miguel Ángel Castilla Abreu.

Alameda del Duque de Santa Elena

Alameda del Duque de Santa Elena

The Alameda del Duque de Santa Elena was a walk in the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Today it is practically an integral part of the Plaza de España. The surroundings were restored following the project by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron in 2006. The work included the reconstruction of a replica of the Alameda portico. The original had been installed in 1787 on the initiative of the Marquis de Branciforte, Commander General of the island at that time. The work was carried out by a military engineer, Amat de Tortosa.

The Alameda was a small public garden that imitated those of the big cities, a place to walk, adorned with some figures and decorative objects. The construction of the Plaza del Príncipe in the following century made it obsolete, so it was on the verge of disappearing on several occasions. The official name was losing favour among the residents of the capital, becoming known for many years as Alameda del Muelle (Mall of the Pier) or Alameda de la Marina (Mall of the Marina) and even as Los Paragüitas (The Umbrellas), when umbrellas were installed there to prevent the sun from disturbing the citizens who came to walk. 

The walk was described around 1881 with a length of eighty varas (rods - old English measure of distance equal to 16.5 feet (5.029 metres)) and with three walks to wander. The vegetation was mostly bananas from Lebanon and some tamarinds. There was a white Carrara marble fountain from a Genoese workshop. The walk ended in front of a statue, also made of white marble, which represented an allegory of time. The proximity of the sea made the vegetation of the die, a situation that ended thanks to the expansion of the port area.

A cheeky view of the portico

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival Queen 1996

Nayra Plasencia Jorge, Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 1996

1996 Carnival Poster
Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz in 1996 was Nayra Plasencia Jorge, in a costume entitled "Ra", designed by Justo Gutiérrez and representing Almacenes El Kilo.

In 1996, the court was made up as follows:

  1. 1st Maid of Honour: Raquel Bedoya González, with a costume entitled "Mundos de cristal" (Crystal Worlds), representing Swarovski Ibérica and designed by Marcos Marrero and María Díaz.
  2. 2nd Maid of Honour: Noemi Marrero García, with “Yo soy la María” (I am the Maria), representing Cerveza Sol and designed by Juan Carlos Armas.
  3. 3rd Maid of Honour: Raquel Pérez Franquis, with "Entre el cielo y la tierra" (Between the sky and the earth), representing Círculo de Amistad XII de Enero and designed by José Julio Rodríguez and Juan Fajardo.
  4. 4th Maid of Honour: Sandra Sosa Borges, with a costume entitled “Realidad virtual” (Virtual Reality), representing Centro Comercial Alcampo - La Laguna and designed by Leo Martínez.
The theme of carnival in 1996 was Mexico. The set evoked a neighbourhood in Mexico, with characters that depicted stereotypical, negative portrayals of Mexicans as "drunk, lazy and violent". The Mexican Consul was in attendance, and it was broadcast in America by Galavision and in Spain by Telecinco. The show nearly created a diplomatic incident: Televisa closed its office in Tenerife, which was owned by Canal 7 del Atlántico (ECO Noticias). 

Its highlight was a performance by Enrique Iglesias.

Recinto Ferial by Koppchen / CC BY
The year 1996 was the first that the  contests were held at the Centro Internacional de Ferias y Congresos de Tenerife (The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses), opened that year, designed by architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava (also responsible for the Auditorio de Tenerife).

The stage was located at one end of the building, and candidates had to cross a walkway from the other end of the building to reach it. A miscalculation in the construction of the walkway required a small ramp, so that there wouldn't be a step between the walkway and the stage; The candidates needed help to access the stage after crossing the catwalk, because due to the weight and volume of the costumes, they could not climb the ramp, which caused many problems.


Goodbye to the port of the North

Depiction of the eruption of 1706

The eruption of the Garachico or Arenas Negras volcano on May 5, 1706 was the volcanic phenomenon with the greatest economic and social impact that occurred on the island of Tenerife, which devastated El Tanque and part of the town and port of Garachico. It affected houses, palaces, convents, and even the church of Santa Ana, but the municipality's greatest source of wealth, its port, was razed and buried by lava flows, profoundly changing the socio-economic development of the region and of the island of Tenerife. With the ship still moored to the Garachico dock, Manuel said goodbye to Carmita and their little daughter. He was still worried about the tremors and shaking he felt that night but the tasks of stowing the ship took that disturbing thought out of his head.

He jumped up on the board that led him to the brig "William & Mary", chartered, as always, by Gilbert Smith, the Irish merchant who bought all the Malvasia produced from Garachico to Punta de Teno. Smith lived in El Guincho and was a very dear person because it was not known how he always needed to buy more and more wines that he sent to London and other ports in Europe.

Many of those vineyards belonged to several of Juan's cousins ​​and some of his friends who did not even understand the English language that Manuel learned on each trip and with which he hesitated so much. But he was always happy knowing that he helped everyone by selling it and supporting many families in the area.

In addition, this particular trip made him very excited because the Irishman allowed him to bring new belongings for his new house. He had already thought of a sideboard, a large bed, and beautiful satin curtains. That and some little surprise for Carmita, of which she did not know anything.

Manuel was making his second trip of the year to London that day and it mattered little to him that Spain was at war because he had already emerged victorious from a privateer brawl. Brave and proud he said goodbye from the dock of the small cove that sheltered them from the impetuous sea of ​​the north of Tenerife.

Half an hour later the ship left the dock and a roar was heard that alerted all the crew. Even more so when some stones were detached from the cliffs near the pier and hit the sea.

In view of the threat, Captain Barkin ordered all the sails to be deployed and the William & Mary headed north out of the waves that beat at the mouth of the dock.

Manuel remembered again the night tremor and the roar of the mountain. Restless and with a cold sweat he toiled with the rigging that that afternoon gave him a lot of trouble. Thinking of his daughter and the new crib he was planning to bring, he continued for a couple of hours struggling with the rigging.

Two hours later, with the island still on the horizon, thunder was heard that alerted everyone, who ran towards the stern of the ship. It came from the island and after the thunderous noise they saw the red glow that illuminated the profile of the island. Then more explosions and red and yellow tongues that illuminated Garachico.

Manuel and other crew members asked Captain Barkin to return to see what was happening. The Irishman refused and after a brawl, his official ordered north, arguing that it was fireworks.

Hours later the red light went out on the horizon. Manuel did not sleep wondering what those noises and explosions could be. On that trip he did not sleep and nightmares haunted him. Despite them he arrived in London and bought what was promised for his family.

He did not know then that in Garachico there was no longer a house or family, which he only understood three months later when he returned to the island.

Tenerife in May 2021

Decorated cross on 3 May in Puerto de la Cruz

May 2021 in Tenerife starts with a public holiday on Saturday 1 May 2021 for Fiesta del Trabajo (Workers’ Day). Then Sunday 2 May is Día de la Madre (Mother's Day), celebrated on the first Sunday in May, since 1965. 

May 3 Día de la Cruz (Festival of the Crosses), usually celebrated throughout the month in Santa Cruz, which also marks the founding of the city in 1494. 

Puerto de la Cruz celebrates the crosses in the May Festivities and the Plaza Reyes Católicos will host the VIII Insular Handicraft Fair from April 30

The City Council of Puerto de la Cruz is encouraging citizens so that this May they may participate in the festivities by visiting the decorated crosses in the municipality. The traditional decorating of the crosses is "one of the most striking and picturesque events in neighbourhoods and streets."

A tour of nine artistic crosses is prepared, made and designed by various groups in the municipality, which can be enjoyed in all the neighbourhoods. Likewise, the Department of Festivities, together with the artisan space of La Ranilla, will once again promote the exhibition of crosses made with recycled materials.

This year, the VIII Insular Handicraft Fair opened the Puerto de la Cruz May Festivities on April 30 in the Plaza de los Reyes Católicos (McDonalds). 

The big day of these festivities is May 3, that also celebrates the founding of the municipality, and will be marked through the reading of the Royal Certificate of Felipe IV - that entered into force on May 3, 1651 - and opened the door to the constitution of Puerto de la Cruz independently of La Orotava. 

VIII Feria Insular de Artesanía a partir del 30 de abril

Municipal holidays in May 2021 are: 
  • 3 May for Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Los Realejos 
  • 3 May Exaltation of the Holy Cross and Commemoration of the Founding of the City in Puerto de la Cruz
  • 3 May for the Festivity of the Día de la Cruz in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The Escuderia Villa de Adeje have organised the 30th Rally Villa de Adeje, taking place on 14 & 15 May. Friday morning is reserved for the "Shakedown" as well as the "Qualification Section" on the Vera de Erques road (TF-465). The second day of racing will start at 08:30 a.m. on Saturday, with eight scheduled sections to arrive, at 18:30, at the Plaza de España in AdejeThere are 48 teams registered for this edition, and Guia de Isora Council reminds people that there will be road closures on the TF-463 and TF-465 on Friday. The rally is "without public" based on the situation decreed by the authorities. 


Sunday 30 May 2021 is Día de Canarias (Canaries Day), the anniversary of the first session of the Canary Islands' Parliament after the return of democracy in Spain, but this isn't a public holiday this year as it already falls on a Sunday.

The Town Hall of Santiago del Teide has presented the program of events for the celebration of Día de Canarias (Canary Islands Day), integrating a wide number of activities that begin this Friday, May 28 and run until Thursday, June 3.

The program begins Friday, May 28, at 10:00 am at the Museo del Pescador (Fisherman's Museum) in Puerto de Santiago, with the opening of the Exhibition "Vestimenta Tradicional" (Traditional Clothing).

On Saturday, May 29, the Auditorium of the Social Centre of Tamaimo will host, starting at 11:30 am, an educational talk [obviously, in Spanish] on "Aves Rapaces de Canarias" (Birds of Prey of the Canary Islands). From 7:00 p.m. the Chinyero Visitor Center will host a musical show "Mambisa".

On Sunday, May 30 - Día de Canarias (Canary Islands Day) - from 11:30 am in the Social Centre of Puerto de Santiago the show "Güicho canta y cuenta a la flora y fauna de Canarias" ... about the flora and fauna of the Canary Islands takes place; Although from 12:00 the video-poem commemorating the Day of the Canary Islands will be broadcast, through the council's social networks, and later the broadcast, starting at 4:00 p.m. of the Virtual Concert of the Folk Groups of the municipality and the Canarian Traditional Dance Workshops. Finally, at 6:00 p.m., the Canarias Day Concert will begin at the Arguayo Cultural Centre, with the Santiago del Teide Municipal Music Band.

Monday, May 31, anyone who wishes can register in advance to participate in the "Taller de Cocina Canaria en Familia" (Canarian Family Cooking Workshop), which will begin at 5:30 pm in the Social Centre of Tamaimo.

On Thursday, June 3, starting at 6:30 p.m., the Auditorium of the Social Centre of Tamaimo will host the theatrical poetry show "Cecilia: mujer, poesía y mundo" (Cecilia: woman, poetry and world).

The aforementioned program of events will include the exhibitions on the occasion of the commemoration of the Canary Islands Day, highlighting that, from May 28 to June 11, the Fisherman's Museum will host the “Exhibition of Traditional Costumes of the Island of Tenerife from the XVIII Century”; although from May 28 to June 3, you will be able to enjoy the Itinerant Exhibition "Juegos Canarios Tradicionales (Traditional Canarian Sports and Games) in the various squares and enclaves of the municipality.

Santiago del Teide presenta los actos de celebración del Día de Canarias 2021

Tenerife Land of Eternal Christmas

Sunbathing SantaDesert Island ChristmasScuba Diving SantaTropical Santa
Santa's Having a Whale of a TimeSurfing SantaWaterski SantaCamel Rodeo Santa
With a wide range of products in each design, click the pics (above) to see the full selections.