The Masca Visitor Centre to open every day

Plaza de Masca and the church of the Immaculate Conception
 Photo: Marc Ryckaert, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Centro de Visitantes del Barranco de Masca (Masca Gorge Visitor Centre), in the Teno Rural Park, from this month, is now open every day of the week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., uninterruptedly. The route through the ravine can be carried out only on weekends and on holidays, upon reservation of a place. There is, for now, still no possibility of exit by sea, until the works of the beach jetty are completed, which have gone out to tender. 

The Minister of Natural Environment and Security Management, Isabel García, recently held a meeting with the residents of the village, in which the mayor of Buenavista del Norte, Antonio González, was also present, and where it was explained that the opening of the visitor centre will also serve to reorder the influx of people in this enclave. Residents expressed their concerns and needs, emphasizing the traffic problem and the need for the presence of a local police in the area, to alleviate and control the parking problem.

“The Visitor Centre is a must for walkers who want to explore the ravine, but also offers a wide range of complementary services for visitors, such as information about the Teno Rural Park in general and its network of trails, and in particular about Masca, what to see, what to do there, trails to do as an alternative to the ravine, etc." the counsellor concluded.

El Centro de Visitantes de Masca abrirá todos los días a partir de este mes de octubre

Tegueste Biofest Festival

Forest in the Macizo de Anaga

A festival in Tegueste promotes the natural and ethnographic values ​​of the Anaga massif

The ethnographic wealth and biodiversity of the Macizo de Anaga star in the first Tegueste Biofest: naturaleza y ruralidad sin límites (Tegueste Biofest: nature and rurality without limits), an event that will take place between October 29 and November 2 with more than thirty activities prioritizing leisure and enjoy nature and value the local primary sector, the new concept of rurality or the archaeological wealth of the area as an aboriginal legacy.

This new event, organized by Ecotouristing, a company specialized in tourism of environmental, socio-cultural and economic sustainability, has the involvement of different institutions: Tegueste Council, as the venue for the event, supported by Promotur Turismo de Canarias and the Cabildo de Tenerife, with the Natural Environment area and the Macizo de Anaga Biosphere Reserve, as well as Turismo de Tenerife.

Mayor of Tegueste, Ana Rosa Mena, indicates that, with this event, the council aims to position the municipality in the sustainable tourism panorama and reinforce the values ​​that make Tegueste "an unique enclave", with its landscape, its cultural heritage and its gastronomic offer.

Councillor for the Environment and Local Development areas, Manuel Martín, points out that within the framework of the strategic tourism plan drawn up by the Council, this initiative is seen as one of the actions to be developed aimed at highlighting the role of the municipality as a door to the Reserva de la Biosfera del Macizo de Anaga (Anaga Massif Biosphere Reserve) and to promote Tegueste as a sustainable tourist destination.

The program developed by the organization combines outdoor activities with parallel activities linked to values ​​such as gastronomy, the primary sector, aboriginal history, local bird watching or the possibility of enjoying the spectacle of the stars.

Those interested in registering for these activities can reserve their place on the official event website www.biofest-anaga.com (in English).

The massif, with an area that exceeds 48,000 hectares of land and sea, is one of the main tourist attractions of the island. According to 2019 data, a total of 670,000 annual visitors were received, mainly with the motivation of hiking. However, most of these visits are concentrated in some specific points, such as Cruz del Carmen, in the heart of the reserve, missing the opportunity to know other trails with high potential given its biodiversity and its involvement with the environment. socioeconomic.

Hence, the organization prioritizes new routes encompassed under the generic title 'Trails of the biosphere', which will run along less travelled paths such as the route that connects Tegueste and Bajamar, the variant of the Mesa de Tejina, as well as different itineraries that they connect Tegueste with Punta del Hidalgo, passing through the unique villages of Bejía and El Batán to descend through Chinamada, among others.

In addition, these more demanding options are joined by a more accessible and familiar offer such as the 'Archaeologist for a day', scheduled for Saturday October 30 with a route that will run through the Agua de Dios Ravine and that will conclude with a Aboriginal showcooking.

Among the programming highlights is the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Unesco program 'Man and the Biosphere', through which the value of unique natural spaces, their conservation and their sustainable development is promoted. This event will take place on November 2 at the Teatro Príncipe Felipe de Tegueste at 5:00 p.m. and will serve to enhance the value of the Anaga massif as part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves of which it has been a part since June 9 of 2015. 

Un festival en Tegueste (Tenerife) promociona los valores naturales y etnográficos del macizo de Anaga

Escaldón de gofio ("scalded gofio")

Escaldón de gofio Mojos Guachinerfe

Escaldón de gofio ("scalded gofio") is an old traditional recipe from the island of Tenerife, its main ingredient is the characteristic gofio. The escaldón de gofio or scalded gofio is obtained by boiling a meat or fish broth that is then poured over the gofio in an earthenware container (lebrillo) and kneaded. Gofio is one of the most emblematic products in the islander's diet, created from toasted and ground cereals.

This recipe is from Mojos Guachinerfe.

Ingredients

• 150 g gofio (whichever you like best)
• 800 ml fish stock
• 2 pulled pork ribs
• Oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• Chopped onion (if you like)
• Mint
• Cilantro Mojo
• Mojo Rojo (mild or spicy)

Steps

1. In a frying pan, brown the garlic cloves a little.
2. In a cauldron put the 800ml of fish stock and add the garlic cloves. Wait until it boils.
3. Place 100g of the gofio in a bowl. Reserve the other 50g to add as required until you obtain the desired consistency.
4. Adding the broth little by little, mix well with a fork.
5. Crumble one of the pork ribs and add it to the mix to add flavour and texture.
6. Serve the escaldón with other crumbled rib, chopped onion and the mint.
7. A little Cilantro Mojo and Red Mojo (mild or spicy, to taste) are added on top. 

Escaldón de gofio

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2021

Senior, Adult and Junior Guardians of the Sceptre

There was no new carnival queen in 2021, but Guardians of the Sceptre who will be in charge of guarding it until the election of the Carnival Queen can be celebrated again. Candidates were those who had already been proclaimed queens in past years.

The Guardians of the Sceptre are: 

• Adult: Naomi María Cabrera Pulido, originally proclaimed Carnaval Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2011
• Senior: Antonia Garrido Francés, Senior Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz 2019
• Junior: Ylenia Rodríguez Domínguez, who had been Junior Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2019

The theme of Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival in 2021 was Carnivals of the World. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival was not celebrated in its usual manner in the streets and only some events and documentaries related to the carnival were broadcast virtually. 

The Casa del Carnaval (House of Carnival) museum hosted an exhibition entitled "Traditional Carnivals in the Canary Islands" with representations of carnival groups from Lanzarote, El Hierro, Fuerteventura, Los Indianos de La Palma, among others. 

Science Fiction has already been chosen as the theme of Santa Cruz Carnival 2022. What form that will take, and whether it will take place in it's usual format on it's customary dates, we shall have to wait and see and entirely depends on the evolution of the pandemic.

Santa Cruz, Corazón del Carnaval | 07/03/21

The Teneguía Eruption of 1971

Volcanic landscape of Teneguía

The La Palma volcano erupted on October 26, 50 years ago. It is now 50 years since the last time a terrestrial volcano erupted in Spain: Teneguía, in the south of the island of La Palma. On October 20, 1971, the earthquakes began, the intensity of which was gradually increasing, which alerted the residents of Fuencaliente, and the authorities deployed civil protection measures. The eruption began at 4:25 p.m. on October 26, 1971, and lasted until November 18. It was a relatively short eruption; In fact, it was the shortest of those that have taken place in the Canary Islands, especially when compared to the one that lasted six years in the 18th century in what is now the Timanfaya National Park, in Lanzarote.

VOLCAN TENEGUIA LA PALMA OCTUBRE 1971

The Teneguía volcano had been inactive since 1677, when it began to expel lava. The population watched with curiosity and fear; Long lines of vehicles are remembered near the volcano to watch the lava show, especially at night. 

The volcano caused material damage to the vineyards in the area and destroyed a beach, although it also created a new one. The final valuation of losses was six million pesetas, mainly in communication routes, crops and some houses, as reported at the time by La Vanguardia. There were also moments of anguish in the evacuation of 28 fishing boats from the Faro beach. A tourist died as a result of severe poisoning suffered by inhaling gases near the volcano, after breaking the security cordon established to protect the population.

The lava did not affect the populated areas and, as the volcano is to the south of the island, on the coast, the lava practically dumped straight into the sea, which increased the surface of the island by about two million square meters. This space of new land was declared a Natural Monument, and is one of the great attractions of the island: for many years, when walking through the recent lava, the earth was still warm.

The Cumbre Vieja de La Palma, where today a volcano is erupting, is one of the most active volcanic complexes in the Canary Islands. Two of the last three eruptions recorded on the islands have taken place here, that of the San Juan volcano (1949) and, in 1971, the Teneguía. In October 2011, after several weeks of intense seismic activity under the Canary Island of El Hierro, an underwater volcanic eruption occurred off its coast. 

Teneguía, 1971: así fue la última erupción volcánica terrestre en España

The Parada bar, in the municipality of Fuencaliente, was used as a centre for the media that covered the previous volcanic eruption that occurred on the island, that of Teneguía, in 1971. Located almost at the end of the town, the Bar Parada was also at that time the place where the scientists who came to study the eruption drank coffee, Honorio Pérez, who then worked in the establishment, now run by his son, told EFE. EFE / Elvira Urquijo

Plaza del Adelantado, La Laguna

Fountain in the Plaza del Adelantado

The Plaza del Adelantado is a square in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, located in the centre of the old town. Around it are the Town Hall, the municipal courts, the old municipal market (now in the Plaza del Cristo) and the Hermitage of San Miguel Arcángel.

It is named after the first Adelantado (An Adelantado was a high Spanish dignitary who carried out duties by mandate of service, account and under royal designation), Alonso Fernández de Lugo, conqueror of the islands of La Palma and Tenerife, who, at the beginning of the 16th century, had his residence at one end of this square, specifically in a part of the site that today is occupied by the Convent of Santa Catalina de Siena.

It was created to be the town's main square, both due to its size and the importance of the buildings that surrounded it in the 16th century. The most important public events in the city were held there until the 20th century, including: festivals, market days, processions, bullfights and even the execution of sentences.

Its dimensions have been maintained over the centuries, but its appearance has varied over the years. The esplanade, originally made of earth, was paved for the first time in 1798. In 1843, the interior was redesigned, placing trees and benches.

The central marble fountain is the most characteristic element of this square and it is the oldest and most aesthetic of those existing in the old town. It was commissioned from Marseille (France), from where it was shipped, bound for La Laguna, on March 20, 1869 by the Ghirlanda Brothers Society aboard the ship "Marie Honoré". Its weight is estimated to be 30 tons. It is made from superimposed cups that support slender columns and there is no lack of architectural ornaments. The fountain was placed in the square in 1870. 

Plaza del Adelantado. San Cristobal de La Laguna

Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2022 warms up with more than 90 pre-registered groups

Comparsa Los Rumberos from the Opening Parade in 2019

The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2022 has 94 groups pre-registered. Once the records have been reviewed, the groups will be informed of the protocols, agreed with the Ministry of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands, that they must follow before they begin rehearsals and subsequent official registration in the Carnival 2022 contests.

The list of pre-registered groups, once the deadline passed on Friday, included: 21 children's murgas, 22 adult murgas, 9 adult comparsas, plus one junior, 15 choreographic groups, 9 musical groups, 1 lyrical musical group, 8 from the comedy song category and 7 rondallas.

The 21 children's murgas are: Pita-Pitos, Frykiwykis, Los Chinchositos, Los Mamelones, Tiralengüines, Raviscuditos, Los Rebeldes, Infantilmónica Triqui Traquitos, Distracidos, Guachipanduzy, Lenguas Largas, Los Castorcitos, Minivirgues, Los Revoltosos, Los Carrcidicitos, El Cabito, Los Disorsionados, Los Suocados, Infantilmónica Redoblones and Los Rewobinados.

The adult murgas are: Ni Pico Ni Corto, Los Bambones, Los Diablos Locos, MásQLocas, Los Mamelucos, Los Trabachones, Diabolicas, Ni Fú NI Fá, Los Desbocados, Burlonas, La Sonora, Las Marchilongas, Un Desatadas, Los Chinchosos, Los Tiralenguas , After with Tras, Las Klandestinas, La Traviata, Los Arremangados, Los Trapaseros, Afilarmónica Triqui Traques and Los Zeta Zetas.

The groups that will put rhythm and colour into the carnival - the comparsas - will be: Los Cariocas, Los Tabajaras, Los Rumberos, Abenaura, Bahía Bahitiare, Río Orinoco, Tropicana, Los Valleiros and Danzarines Canarios; in addition to the Comparsa Tropicana Infantil.

Notable absences are the murga Las Triquikonas and comparsa Los Joroperos.

The number of pre-registered rondallas is eight with the Lyrical Group La Rondalla Sociedad Mamel’s, Nueva Echeyde (formerly Gran Tinerfe), Lírico Coral Los Aceviños, Masa Coral Tinerfeña, Las Valkirias, U. A. El Cabo, Peña del Monday 1965 and Orfeón La Paz.

The musical groups are: Salsabor, Cantares Luz de Luna, Sabor Isleño, Caña Dulce, Siboney, Teiderife, Nobleza Canaria, Chaxiraxi and Los Yuppies.

The choreographic groups: Club Odali, Ballet Dance, Crew of Dreams, Ibaute, Tenerife Dance Project, Moana, Crazy Dancer, Equipo Loli Pérez, Funkyguachi, LKS, Los Bohemios, Grupo Choreografico del Patronato del Ayuntamiento de Arona, Yufunk Dance School , Azahar and Stars Dance.

The groups in La Canción de la Risa (Comedy Song) are: Las Gediondas, No tengo el chichi pa’ farolillos, La Familia Monster, Los retales del carnaval, Los Dibujos Animados se van de fogalera, Los Cornucas Atómicos, Los Legías y Las Noveleras.

Los Fregolinos complete the pre-registered groups for the next edition of carnival.

El Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife calienta motores: hay más de 90 grupos preinscritos

[ED: Whist this signifies a lot of interest in carnival and in participating in carnival contests, it doesn't indicate that there will be the usual parades and public events in the streets. We have no information on those nor what, if any, form they may take. That will depend on the evolution of the pandemic. If I was a betting person, I'd say it's unlikely in 2022.]

Santa Cruz celebrates the bicentenary of its designation as the capital of Canary Islands

Tenerife Auditorium and the "twin towers" from Las Mesas park. Carlos SM Some rights reserved

After this designation, between 1822 and 1927, Santa Cruz de Tenerife served as administrative head of the archipelago thanks to the efforts of José Murphy

The privilege of Villa Exenta and the titles of Muy Leal, Noble y Invicta (Very Loyal, Noble and Undefeated) granted by Carlos IV on August 28, 1803, six years after having defeated the British commanded by Rear Admiral Horacio Nelson, would be the origin of the subsequent aggrandizement of Santa Cruz de Santiago de Tenerife, since, when the first constitutional period arrived in 1812 it had already consolidated itself as the administrative head of all the islands, as most of the State administrations were established here.

The first triumph of Santa Cruz in favor of its capital rights - taken from no one, since there was no capital until then - occurred when the captain general of the Canary Islands, with residence in Santa Cruz, notified the political superior of the province that in article 3 of the Decree on the formation of the Electoral Boards, promulgated by the Cortes of Cádiz in 1812, it was stated “that the Captain General of the province was the President of the Electoral Board, if he was in the town ...”; For this reason, when the Cortes approved the establishment of the Electoral Board in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, when the elections of deputies to the Cortes were held on May 30, 1813, the Provincial Council settled in Santa Cruz, as the head of all the islands.

When, in 1820, the Constitution of 1812 was proclaimed again, the political chief returned to Santa Cruz, a new captain general was appointed, and elections were held for Cortes and the Deputation and, although the Extraordinary Cortes established in 1821 recommended that the Proposals from the Provincial Councils that had been created eight years ago, a Royal Decree of March 1821 named the heads of electoral parties to La Laguna, Granadilla, La Orotava and Garachico, with Santa Cruz depending on La Laguna. For this reason, when the aforementioned Royal Decree reached the Islands, the Santa Cruz City Council met in an extraordinary council and agreed to appeal it in the Cortes of Madrid, appointing Mr. José Murphy y Meade, attorney-in-fact (councillor).

Murphy, for fear of being arrested, moved to the Peninsula in a Swedish brig bound for Setúbal (Portugal), arriving in Madrid in mid-July and, although the Cortes were closed, managed to get to the king and to the Government the appeal in which it stated that the new designation of electoral parties could not be considered valid, since the Courts had recommended that the heads of electoral parties be the same as those proposed in 1812. The Government considered the appeal logical and, without waiting for the reopening of the Cortes, on August 8 modified its previous decision and, once again, the municipalities of Santa Cruz, La Laguna, La Orotava and Icod were head of the electoral party.

The negotiations were not easy for Murphy, as he was a commissioner of the Santa Cruz City Council who wanted to make a presentation before the Plenary of the Cortes, where he had no vote, and the Canarian deputies (Gomera) Echeverría and Cabeza preferred that the capital fall in La Laguna and Las Palmas; However, developing laborious "corridor diplomacy" in search of support, would achieve that when the parliamentary sessions were resumed, on October 1, 1821, he managed to present his most famous and important argument in the Spanish Parliament so that the capital of the Canary Islands was determined in Santa Cruz. “For a century, various authorities established their residence in Santa Cruz whose presence symbolized that the capital was the town in which they lived and, emanating from the Constitutional Regime, other Institutions were established, as a natural, simple and ordinary thing."

Many generations have naturally seen this order of things: that where the authorities were residing was naturally the capital. In Santa Cruz were: Political Superior Chief, Provincial Delegation, Captain General, Mayor, Court of Appeals, Superior Board of Health, and Post Office Administration. By contrast, Las Palmas only has the Territorial Court and a Cathedral.

On October 5, when the Commission in charge of discussing the issue of the capital of the Canary Islands met for the first time, there was only one document on the table to initiate deliberations: the draft decree in which the name of La Laguna appeared as the capital of the Archipelago. After numerous and heated interventions, the decision was reconsidered and, at the meeting on the second day, all the members of the table were ordered to have Murphy's presentation in their possession, so that, in the debate on the third day, the Committee did not approve the designation of La Laguna.

The Commission met again on the 18th, and after a score of interventions, replies and counter-replies, the deputies were inclined for the capital to be Santa Cruz, assessing the number of authorities and institutions that were already established in the city. In the fourth session, held on the 19th, the Commission stated: "By declaring the point sufficiently discussed, the Commission's opinion is approved: the capital will be Santa Cruz."

On October 22, 1821, Don José Murphy y Meade, informed his native city of the agreement that had just been taken in the Cortes:

“I have the satisfaction of communicating to V.S. Iltma, that the Extraordinary Courts, in session of the 19th of the current, have served to designate that Very Noble, Loyal and Invicta Villa, as Capital of the Canary Islands”.

This news, written in such a concise way, despite its enormous importance, was the fruit of the hard work of a man, undoubtedly the greatest Canarian politician of the nineteenth century, who, despite not being a deputy in the Cortes, knew how to function in that unknown and in some aspects hostile environment. For this reason, this tireless fighter, authentic and main architect of the single capital, has deserved the title of Political Father of Santa Cruz.

Three months later, on January 27, 1822, Fernando VII promulgated the Royal Decree establishing the division of Spanish territory into 52 provinces, it read: “Canarias (islands). Population: 215,108 souls.- Deputies: three.- Capital: Santa Cruz de Tenerife ”.

Santa Cruz would remain the sole capital of the Canary Islands until September 23, 1927, when the Government of the dictatorship of General Miguel Primo de Rivera decreed the division of the Archipelago into two provinces: Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas. 

Santa Cruz celebra hoy el bicentenario de su designación como capital de Canaria

47º Isle of Tenerife Rally (22-23 October)

47º Rallye Isla Tenerife (22-23 October)

The 47th Orvecame Isla Tenerife Rally, organised by Club Rallyten Sport, will be held on October 22 and 23, 2021. With the club's philosophy of making a beautiful, competitive and demanding route, the itinerary of El Isla - as this rally is colloquially known - includes 2 stages, a total of 9 specials and 107 kms of timed sections, going through up to 11 municipalities, with Santa Cruz de Tenerife being the epicentre of the event, hosting in the Parque Marítimo y Palmentum de Santa Cruz all the main infrastructure of the event. The administrative-technical verifications and the delivery of documentation will take place on Friday, October 22 between 09:30 and 13:30, thus promoting the use of outdoor spaces and the good weather that the capital offers in the month of October.

The two specials to be held on Friday afternoon, and which will serve as a warm-up, are: “Medianías-Palo Blanco” 5:13 pm and “Icod El Alto-La Guancha” – Ctra. La Fajana, passing through El Lagar, La Guancha, Pinalete, La Tabona Reservoir to La Mancha - at 5:51 p.m., taking advantage of the natural light offered by the still summer schedule.

Stage “2”, on Saturday, begins at 9:18 am with “Los Loros” – descending direction -, “Fasnia” –from north to south, leaving at “Las Eras Altas” - 10.17h and “Arico” at 10.56 am h. This loop repeats at 1:44, 2:43 and 3:22 p.m. respectively. At 15.55h, there will be a regrouping at the Puertito de Güímar, to face the last special of the day: “Cuesta Las Tablas” – heading to Santa Cruz de Tenerife with departure at the “Cuatro Esquinas” junction - at 17.00. The rally ends at 5:50 p.m. with the arrival at the Parque Marítimo and Palmetum de Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

• 47º Rallye Rallye Isla Tenerife, tramo a tramo, metro a metro
• Rallye Isla Tenerife, 110 equipos en el listado provisional
• Avance 47º Rallye Isla Tenerife (22-23 octubre)

Rally Isla Tenerife 2020

Tenerife South Airport puts into service five new boarding gates and a passport control

Tenerife South Airport User: Bgabel at wikivoyage shared, CC BY-SA 3.0

With an investment of 6.1 million euros, the Airport adapts T2, now called zone C, expanding its surface by 5,000 m².

Tenerife South Airport put into service [20 Oct] five new boarding gates of the six existing in zone C (previously called Terminal 2), with the aim of expanding the area designated for this purpose in the airport facility and improving efficiency and comfort of the passengers. In addition, a new passport control exit also comes into operation in this same area.

The six boarding gates in zone C, along with the four that will be located in the connecting building, are added to the 16 already existing, adding up to a total of 26 throughout the airport.

The adaptation of zone C, which has an investment of 6.1 million euros and which expands the airport surface by 5,000 square meters, will entail other improvements, such as the launch of 32 new check-in counters, which will be added to the current 87.

The new passport control put into operation in zone C, together with another that was put into service last July for boarding gates A in the original airport terminal, has involved an investment of more than 1.3 million euros. euros.

The expansion works that are being carried out at the Tenerife South Airport double the operational area for check-in and boarding and expand the general capacity of the airport, which will go from 13 to 16 million passengers per year, with which the infrastructure will be in full conditions to meet the present demand and that of the near future. 

El Aeropuerto Tenerife Sur pone en servicio cinco nuevas puertas de embarque y un control de pasaportes

Tortilla de calabaza (Pumpkin omelette)

Tortillas de calabaza (Pumpkin omelette)

Pumpkin omelette is prepared in practically the same way as the traditional potato omelette Tortilla Española (Spanish Omelette), simply substitute the potato for the pumpkin. The pumpkin gives a rich touch to this omelette and it is also spectacular - pumpkin or squash is also one of your 5-a-day - as well as being perfect for this season.

Ingredients

• 600 gr of pumpkin
• 5 eggs
• 4 cloves of garlic
• Pimentón dulce (Sweet paprika)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt

How to make pumpkin omelette

1. Cut the pumpkin into small cubes and put them in a microwave-safe container. Cover and cook the pumpkin in the microwave for 3 minutes at maximum power.
2. Beat the eggs in a bowl together with a pinch of salt. 
3. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a pan and add the previously peeled garlic. When the oil warms up, add the pumpkin, mix and add salt to taste.
4. Sauté the squash for a few minutes until tender, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and remove the garlic cloves. Add the pumpkin to the beaten eggs and mix it well.
5. Continue heating another tablespoon of oil in a pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the pumpkin and beaten egg mixture, spread the pumpkin over the pan.
6. After a few minutes and when the base of the tortilla is set, turn the tortilla with the help of a plate or lid with a smooth surface. Slide the tortilla back in the pan and continue cooking until it is to your liking. 

Receta de tortilla de calabaza

PUMPKIN OMELETTE | The Most Juicy and Delicious Omelette!

La Laguna presents 20 thematic hiking routes

Turismo de La Laguna presents 20 thematic hiking routes to unite landscape and culture and create spaces for coexistence between tourists and residents. The ‘Senderos con Cultura’ (Trails with Culture) and ‘Walk & Talk’ projects will promote linguistic immersion, cultural exchange and the defence and conservation of the city's rich, historical heritage.

The Department of Tourism of La Laguna, led by María José Roca, presented two programs of thematic hiking routes guided by professionals that, weekly and until the end of the year, will offer 20 innovative proposals with historical, natural, artistic and cultural heritage to make the attractions of the municipality visible, promote its conservation, as well as generate spaces for coexistence between citizens and people of different origins and languages. Each route will be free, although a donation of 2 euros per person will be requested (via soydelapalma.com to benefit people affected by the La Palma eruption.

This initiative is divided into two groups, entitled ‘Senderos con Cultura’ (Trails with Culture), with 10 routes that will end on La Laguna coastline and that will link the territory to the history, mythology, traditions and literature of La Laguna, and Walk & Talk, the latter designed for the practice of different languages, to meet people from other cultures and promote active learning, all with the landscape and traditions of La Laguna as the setting.

The program of hiking routes in languages ​​Walk & Talk has 10 routes in different languages ​​and points of the municipality, which will be held Saturdays and Sundays from October 23 to December 23, an opportunity to practice languages, discover places and meet people, promoting cultural exchange and active learning committed to heritage, all through tours of the Historic Complex, Mesa Mota, Mesa de Tejina, Jardina, Bajamar or Punta del Hidalgo.

All routes will be free with a donation to La Palma, without age limits, but will require prior registration and will be carried out in small groups of up to 20 people, complying with current health protection measures and reducing the impact on the natural environment. The first will take place on October 23, within the Walk & Talk proposals and, under the title 'A Balcony Overlooking Paradise', which will offer a circular route from the town to Mesa Mota. All information and registration is available here [in English]

The Senderos con Cultura program includes 10 thematic routes in the northeast region, one every Sunday between November 21 and December 19, and which will focus on local and regional mythology, popular traditions, poetry, pirates and history of the municipality. 

The activities are designed to promote interaction between the participants, with dynamic routes adapted to different themes, such as the Day of the Dead or Christmas. The activities are designed in Spanish and English, but they are adaptable to any language. 

Turismo de La Laguna presenta 20 rutas de senderismo temáticas para unir paisaje y cultura y crear espacios de convivencia entre turistas y ciudadanía (Via)

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2020

Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2020 Sara Cruz Teja

Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2020 was Sara Cruz Teja, with a costume entitled "Sentir" (Feel), designed by Sedomir Rodríguez de la Sierra and sponsored by hypermarket Centro Comercial Alcampo La Laguna.

In 2020, the court was made up as follows:

1. First Maid of Honour: María José Chinea Cabrera, with the costume ‘Un nuevo amanecer’ (A new dawn), designed by Jorge González Santana, sponsored by bottled water brand Fuentealta.
2. Second Maid of Honour: Laura García Repo with the design ‘El secreto de Lola’ (Lola's Secret) by Borja Abreu, representing distiller, Ron la Indiana.
3. Third Maid of Honour: Judith Miguélez Díaz, with ‘Mararía’ (Mararía (1973) is the most famous novel by the Spanish Canarian writer Rafael Arozarena) by Daniel Pages sponsored by McDonald’s and newspaper El Día.
4. Fourth Maid of Honour: Elisabeth Ledesma Laker con el diseño ‘Estas cuatro palabras’ (These four words) by Santi Castro, representing Centro Comercial Añaza Carrefour.

The theme of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2020 was The Flirty Fifties. Also known as "The Calima Carnival", due to the suspended dust from the Sahara desert that covered the entire Canary archipelago during the first days of the street carnival celebration. 

During the gala, directed by designers Marcos Marrero and María Díaz, which began with an overture based on the popular song "Santa Cruz en Carnaval", the 16 candidates each paraded on stage twice. In the final moment, only eight finalists took to the stage, because despite the large size of the stage, it was too small to host all of the candidates at the same time. The gala featured performances by Paulina Rubio and Soraya Arnelas, who, in addition to singing, served as master of ceremonies with Alexis Hernández and Pedro Rodríguez.  

And, of course, the 2020 carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife was [for now] the last one celebrated in the streets before the coronavirus pandemic hit, causing the cancellation of many other carnivals throughout the rest of the island.

Gala de la Reina del Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2020

“Islamérica” Festival to revitalize links between the Canary Islands and Latin America

Arona Council, through its Department of Historical-Artistic and Ethnographic Heritage, led by José Alberto Delgado, initiates a new cultural project, baptized as Islamérica, which has as its  purpose recover the memory of the historical relations between the Canary Islands and Latin America, which constitute an indisputable sign of identity in the symbolic imaginary of the Canaries and which is part of the intangible heritage of the archipelago's culture. The first edition of this has been subtitled as Cuba. El Reencuentro (Cuba. Reunion).

This program, of cultural significance, comes at a very opportune moment to value a territory so appreciated by the Canaries as is the Caribbean island, which is going through a difficult economic and social moment as a result of the effects of the COVID pandemic, which has seriously accentuated its historical gap caused by the US blockade. This production also has the support of the Canarian Institute for Cultural Development of the Government of the Canary Islands and the Foreign Action area of ​​the Cabildo de Tenerife. Invitations to access all activities, free of charge, can be obtained at www.arona.org

The Islamérica calendar of activities begins on Wednesday the 20th, at 7pm, at the Los Cristianos Cultural Center, coinciding with the commemoration of the Day of Cuban National Culture, having been sung, on October 20, 1868, for the first time, the Cuban national anthem, La Bayamesa, in Bayamo. For this reason, several researchers will intervene in person and from Cuba, via streaming [the coronavirus prevented their transfer to Tenerife]. 

Arona residents emigrated to Cuba in 1885

The choice of Arona to rescue the centuries-old memory of the Canarian-Cuban connection is no coincidence since, as Galván Tudela himself collects in the work he co-authored with the historian Guillermo Sierra Torres, entitled La migración de Arona a Cuba. Una visión transnacional [1895-1930]  (The migration of Arona to Cuba. A transnational vision [1895-1930]), in that historical period there was an intense migratory flow of residents of Arona to the Manzanillo area in Cuba, where they worked in the sugarcane fields of the Santa Teresa de Campechuela sugar mill [today Enidio Diaz].

The cycle has other activities related to history and literature planned: On October 22 and November 3, the presentation of bibliographic premieres such as Canarias en Cuba-Cuba en Canarias [Tribute to Julio Hernández García] will be held at the Los Cristianos Cultural Center, and also at 7pm, a volume of Le Canarien Ediciones in recognition of the valuable legacy of the brilliant Canarian Americanist and a doublet, Interviews with Gastón Baquero and The mythical city called La Habana, with Arona writer Alberto Linares as master of ceremonies and the spirit of the controversial writer and Cuban poet of the 20th century as the protagonist of the literary evening, respectively.

Islamérica will dedicate a special section to cinema at the Infanta Leonor de Los Cristianos Auditorium, with a billboard that begins on Tuesday, October 26 with the documentary Mujeres de sal. Hombres de humo (Women of salt. Men of smoke), directed by the social educator and researcher from Gran Canaria, Iris Carballo, who will make an introduction to the film. On November 8 and 9 there will be two double sessions, José Martí: el ojo del canario [Fernando Pérez Valdés [Feature film] - Cabaiguán, the Canarian capital of Cuba [Producciones Ibora. Documentary] and Entre perro y lobo (Between Dog and Wolf) [José Ángel Alayón. Feature film] - Canarios en la guerra de Cuba 1895-1898 (Canarians in the war in Cuba 1895-1898) [Producciones Ibora. Documentary], respectively.

Music from the two shores with Abakuá and Yeray Rodríguez

The music of the two shores will be twinned with Cuban and Canarian resonances on Wednesday, November 10 at the Infanta Leonor de Los Cristianos Auditorium with a double offer of the traditional Cuban repertoire in which the Abakuá sextet is specialized, under the direction of Fernando Cruz, and the prestigious Yeray Rodríguez, accompanied by his band of musicians.

The next day, the Casa de la Bodega, in the town of Arona, will be the setting for the opening of an exhibition, 'Manuel Martín González in Havana 1920-1930', with unpublished photographic work of the artist, a native of Guía de Isora, considered one of the great masters of Canarian landscaping. The festival will culminate on November 19 with a tasting of Canarian-Cuban cuisine.

Nace el Festival “Islamérica” para revitalizar los vínculos seculares de Canarias con América Latina

VIII Annual Craft Show in La Laguna

Handicraft Exhibition in La Laguna

This traditional annual event returns with 40 stalls in the Plaza de La Concepción after the cancellation of the 2020 edition due to the pandemic

The Council of La Laguna recently announced the eighth edition of the Handicraft Exhibition of the municipality that returns after its postponement in 2020 due to the pandemic. The initiative, one of the main showcases of local crafts, will be held over three days, from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 October, and will feature 40 individual covered stands distributed around the Plaza de La Concepción in accordance with the current health security protocols.

VIII Muestra de Artesanía

Feboda Wedding Fair returns in 2021

The XVI Edition of the Feboda Wedding Fair 2021 returns to the Tenerife Fairs and Congress Centre from October 22 to 24, 2021. During these three days, visitors to the fair will be able to see all that is on offer on the island in terms of weddings and celebrations.

After a year without the fair in face-to-face format due to the pandemic, Feboda 2021 returns with renewed illusions and with several novelties that will make this edition a very special event.

The Feboda fair has established itself as an annual event due to the great importance it has for the sector. Couples who are going to get married in 2022 will undoubtedly visit our facilities to prepare the details of such a special day, as well as those people who in the future are thinking of holding a special celebration.

This 2021 edition will be very special because in the last year many celebrations were prevented from taking place, so the expectations are very high. Likewise, for visitors, Feboda is an event that they have been waiting for months due to its usefulness and variety of offer, especially in these times when it is necessary, more than ever, to be in the hands of professionals who make their celebration a unique moment. 

The participation of a hundred companies, distributed on 140 stands, in an exhibition space of 8,000 square meters is planned.

It is planned to simultaneously hold Feboda 2021 and Tenerife Volcanic Fashion, with the aim of seeking synergies between two sectors as close as fashion and celebrations, but each maintaining its own identity and specificities. The two events will share common spaces, the most important being the bridal fashion runway.

Feboda vuelve de manera presencial al Recinto Ferial de Tenerife

Timelapse of the sea of clouds on Tenerife

Clouds forming waves

Canary Islands suspend the need for COVID certificate to access tourist accommodation

The Government of the Canary Islands has agreed this Thursday [14 Oct], at its Council meeting, to suspend, at least until January 31, 2022 the obligation to present a COVID certificate to access tourist accommodation, announced spokesman, Antonio Olivera.

In the press conference after the Governing Council, the spokesperson indicated that this suspension of sections 1 and 3 of the Decree Law on extraordinary measures in tourism to face the effects of the health and economic crisis produced by the pandemic.

This means that it will not be necessary to prove that you are free of the disease to stay in tourist accommodation (and will take effect on the same day of its publication in the Official Gazette of the Canary Islands), until January 31, without prejudice to successive extensions. The agreement is the most convenient legal route for the progressive return to normality, taking into account that the advance of vaccination in Europe and the Canary Islands, as well as the existence of a procedure to control foreign travellers at airports (where a vaccination certificate or COVID diagnostic test with a negative result is still required).

The spokesperson for the Executive stressed that, as the Ministry of Tourism had agreed with the four main Canarian employers in the sector, it was necessary to eliminate the existing double control (airport and accommodation) and relax the rules that were established in the tourist establishments of Canary Islands accommodation for protection against disease and as a measure that helps to strengthen the image of the Canary Islands as a safe destination and guarantor of high standards of protection of its visitors.

Antonio Olivera also highlighted that the advance of the vaccination program continues to be "very positive" in the Canary Islands and is allowing the number of infections to be reduced, which has allowed Fuerteventura to pass to level 1, so all eight islands are at low risk.

This is good news for the arrival of the high tourist season, reflected in good hotel occupancy figures and signs that the winter season will be positive for the Canary Islands. 

Canarias suspende la obligación de presentar el certificado COVID para acceder a los alojamientos turísticos

Free WEEKLY Tours of La Laguna, Tenerife's UNESCO World Heritage Site city, in English

La Laguna Free Tour

This two hour 'pay as you feel' tour, held WEEKLY, starts at the Plaza del Adelantado, in the heart of the historic centre of La Laguna, Tenerife's UNESCO World Heritage Site city.

Highlights of the tour include many of the city's emblematic buildings:

• The 17th century convent of Santa Catalina de Siena and the Nava Palace. 
• The parish of Santo Domingo de Guzmán and the chapel of the Green Cross.
• The two main streets of La Laguna, Herradores and Obispo Rey Redondo
• The Casa de la Alhóndiga, the Casa del Corregidor, the Palacio Salazar, the Casa de los Capitanes...

One of the stops will also be the Cathedral of San Cristóbal de La Laguna or Catedral de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, which has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. After finding out about its history, the free tour will end in front of the Teatro Leal.

SEE AVAILABILITY and book, choose the date and complete the form on the following page: La Laguna Free Tour

Third time lucky for Palo Blanco Hillclimb

'A la tercera va la vencida' (third time lucky), as the Escudería Daute Realejos, reactivated, for the third time so far this year, the registration period for the popular 𝟗ª 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐢𝐝𝐚 𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐨 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐨 (9th Palo Blanco Hillclimb), now scheduled for 15 and 16 October, after it was postponed in both March and July, due to COVID. 

This reorganization of the calendar has led to the two climbs in the north of Tenerife, Palo Blanco and La Guancha, being placed consecutively in the program, which undoubtedly may have affected the first of those, however there are 54 drivers registered in Speed, 8 teams in Sport Regularity and 9 in Formula Rally.

IX Subida Palo Blanco, recuperando el calendario

Subida Palo Blanco 2020

Carne de Cabra (Goat Meat Stew)

Carne de Cabra (Goat Meat Stew)

INGREDIENTS

• 1 kg goat meat, diced
• 250 gr chopped onion
• 1 cup oil
• 1 cup red wine
• 1 red pepper, diced
• pimentón / paprika
• thyme
• clove
• cumin
• water
• salt

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Season the meat.
2. Sautéed the onion in a frying pan with oil, add the meat and fry until golden brown.
3. Then add the pepper, paprika, thyme, clove, cumin, and wine, and leave it over heat for about 15 minutes.
4. Finally, the water is added until the meat is covered and leave to cook for approximately 1 hour and a half.
5. Serve with wrinkled potatoes. 

Carne de Cabra

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2019

Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2019, Priscila Medina Quintero

Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2019 was Priscila Medina Quintero, with a costume entitled "La Nuit" (The Night), designed by Sedomir Rodríguez de la Sierra and representing Autoinsular Citroën.

In 2019, the court was made up as follows:

1. 1st Maid of Honour: Susana Conde Alba, with a costume entitled “Bésame” (Kiss Me), designed by Santi Castro, representing Centro Comercial Añaza-Carrefour.
2. 2nd Maid of Honour: Viviane Cordobés Ramos, with a costume entitled “Mandala”, designed by Juan Carlos Armas Febles, representing Centro Comercial Alcampo La Laguna.
3. 3rd Maid of Honour: Inma Afonso Darias, with a costume entitled “Llegó bailando” (Arrived Dancing), designed by Daniel Pages, representing Dimurol SL.
4. 4th Maid of Honour: Raquel Iboleón Laynez, with a costume entitled “Al alba venceré” (At dawn I will conquer), designed by Daniel Pages, representing McDonald’s and La Opinión de Tenerife.

The theme of Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2019 was "The Deep Sea". The main stage of the carnival on this occasion is presided over by a six meter high bust of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. This sculpture is made by Valencian Fallas masters and was transferred to the island of Tenerife from Valencia by sea along with other sets that made up the scene, such as a large wrecked ship ten meters long and six meters high. 

The six meter high bust of Poseidon was moved to the stage in the
Plaza de la Candelaria once the carnival party took to the streets.

In addition, 140 corals were moulded with striking colours, of orange, green and pink. Several films, including Finding Nemo, also served as inspiration for the sets. In total, the stage measured 15 meters and with giant screens that simulated the bottom of the sea with fish. The Queen's Election Gala was directed, once more, by Enrique Camacho. The introduction allowed the public to enter the depths of the sea, where countless aquatic animals danced among the public. The host of the gala was the journalist Laura Afonso, who throughout the event was accompanied by other presenters, including the last three carnival queens; María Rozman, Elvis Sanfiel and K-Narias. Guest artists were Carlos Baute and Marta Sánchez. The gala was broadcast live on Televisión Española and on the International Channel, as well as on Televisión Canaria. 

During the Daytime Carnival, the record set in 1987 with Celia Cruz was surpassed, because in 2019, local police figures estimated that more than 400,000 people danced to the rhythm of Juan Luis Guerra and with Celia Cruz there had been 250,000. This was unexpected and, due to the lack of a notary, could not be included in the Guinness Book of Records. 

Gala de la Reina | Carnaval S/C Tenerife 2019

Hispanic Day Celebrations Around the World

Municipal Band of San Carlos in celebration of Culture Day in Costa Rica

Día de la Hispanidad (Hispanic Day), is known in almost all of Latin America as Columbus Day, and although it is a holiday on the calendar, it is losing relevance in Latin countries, where even the Discovery of America has a negative connotation, charged with controversy. Columbus Day commemorates the historic anniversary of the Discovery of America by Spain and the birth of the Spanish Empire. The celebration takes place every October 12 and, in it, each Spanish-speaking country celebrates it in a different way.

In Spain the official term at present is the Fiesta Nacional de España (National Holiday of Spain). However, there are other terms used to designate this holiday: National Day of Spain, Day of the Fatherland, Fiesta de la Hispanidad, Día de la Raza (in most Latin American countries) or Day of Indigenous Resistance (in Venezuela).

At the same time, October 12, is the Día del Pilar (La Virgen del Pilar / Our Lady of the Pillar), "Mother of the Hispanic Peoples", when the Aragon city of Zaragoza dresses up to commemorate the festivities of its patron saint.

Floral offering in Mexico

In Mexico the date has been officially decreed, since 1928, at the initiative of José Vasconcelos, who alluded to what he called the Ibero-American race. It is a national holiday, but it is not a very relevant date on the calendar. In Mexico City there is a monument to the race where people can present their floral offerings.

Carnivals in Costa Rica

Costa Rica, officially since 1968, created the Day of Discovery and Race, but since 1994 this holiday was officially transformed into the Day of Cultures in order to jointly highlight both the cultural contributions of the Spanish, indigenous and Afro-Caribbean people. In some Caribbean places they have carnivals on October 12. However, the party that they truly celebrate in Costa Rica is Independence Day, on September 15. In it there are student parades and if any dignitary arrives in the country, it is the schoolchildren who receive them with flags in a formal ceremony.

School representations in Colombia

Columbus Day in Colombia is celebrated mainly from schools, with events where students represent the history and meaning of this day in history. At the governmental level, this holiday has less relevance, and small ceremonies with floral offerings are simply carried out. 

Counter-festivities in Argentina

Columbus Day was established in Argentina in 1917 by decree of President Hipólito Yrigoyen, as a reaffirmation of the Hispanic-American identity against the United States and the Monroe Doctrine. The events were celebrated at first, but the aboriginal communities have repudiated them and have denounced the death of some 90 million indigenous people in American territory. Thus, October 12 has been designated by many as the Day of Resistance of the Indigenous Peoples.

Indigenous Resistance Day in Venezuela

It was in 2002 when then president Hugo Chávez and, Minister of Higher Education, Samuel Moncada, called this date the Day of Indigenous Resistance, since they assert that it was not a discovery, but a genocide where the aborigines resisted the domination of the Spanish forces until the last breath.

Columbus Day in the United States

Columbus Day is celebrated in the United States to honor Christopher Columbus, who is credited with the discovery of America on his first voyage in 1492. It is celebrated on the second Monday in October and on each State is celebrated in a different way. This day stands out in the State of New York, with a great parade through the streets of the Big Apple; government offices are closed, as are public schools. In Denver, Colorado, there is also a parade each year, which has been the object of protest by Native American groups and their supporters for nearly two decades. The city of Berkeley, in California, has substituted Columbus Day for Indigenous People's Day since 1992. 

Cómo se celebra el Día de la Hispanidad en el mundo: de España a EE.UU

Fiesta Nacional de España (Spain's National Day)

Día de la Hispanidad Desfile Patrulla Águila, 12 Oct 2020 Thomas Holbach, CC BY-SA 4.0

On 12 October each year, which is a national public holiday, the Fiesta Nacional de España (National Day of Spain), also known as Dia de la Hispanidad (Hispanic Day) is celebrated throughout Spain, the Canary Islands and the Hispanic world. 

The traditional events are to be held again for the National Holiday Day after the 2020 ‘break’ due to the pandemic, where they were replaced by a brief act in the Patio de la Armería of the Palacio Real (Royal Palace). This year the Armed Forces will once again parade through the centre of Madrid, presided over by King Felipe and Queen Letiza. It is expected to be held in a somewhat smaller format, to avoid crowds, because although currently the incidence of infections has dropped considerably, the pandemic has not yet ended.

According to the website of the Madrid City Council, the parade will begin at 10:00 am (an hour earlier in the Canary Islands) with the incorporation of the Royal Guard Honours Battalion in the Plaza de Lima. At 10.30 am, the King and Queen will arrive in this same square and the military parade will begin. When the flag flies, a tribute is usually made to those who gave their lives for Spain, at the conclusion of which, the aerial and terrestrial parades begin. The starting point of the parade is usually the Plaza de Cuzco. 

Then there is the farewell to the monarchs, and finally, the lowering of the flag. 

Horario y recorrido del desfile en Madrid mañana 12 de octubre

In 1997, the most significant events of the Día de las Fuerzas Armadas (Armed Forces Day) were transferred to the National Holiday on October 12. The celebration traditionally includes a parade of the Spanish Armed forces, usually held in Madrid. Tribute is paid to soldiers who gave their lives for Spain, followed by a civil-military parade, which usually includes a display by the Spanish Air Force's aerobatics team, the Patrulla Águila.

La Patrulla Águila se prepara para el día de la Fiesta Nacional 2020

The Eagle Patrol returned once more to fly over the city of Madrid for the Fiesta Nacional de España 2020. This is a small summary of how they have prepared at the Getafe air base for this special day. Their mission is to represent Spain and the Air Force at events, proudly displaying the colours of the national flag. One chief, seven regular pilots and reserve pilots, all flight teachers in the 793 squadron of the General Air Academy.