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31-M: The day it rained a whole year's worth in two and a half hours and claimed 8 lives

On 31 March 2002 - referred to as 31-M - the highest rainfall recorded in Santa Cruz for at least 70 years - caused the Riada de Tenerife de 2002 (Tenerife flood of 2002). 

The Riada de Santa Cruz de Tenerife was a severe convective storm, anchored in AnagaTeide and the Cordillera Dorsal (Dorsal mountain range) acted as an obstacle to the winds from the south west and the Macizo de Anaga (Anaga massif) channelled them to the La Laguna-Santa Cruz area. This would be the triggering factor for the convergences that formed in the area. March 31, 2002 fell on a Sunday, but it was not just any Sunday, but the last of the Easter weekend, paradoxically Resurrection Sunday. Perhaps that was the reason why the tragedy only (!?) claimed 8 fatalities. 

In the early afternoon of Sunday, March 31, 2002, it began to rain over Santa Cruz de Tenerife. What at first was apparently normal rain turned, in a few minutes, into a spectacular downpour over the capital of Tenerife. Up to 224 litres per square meter fell in two and a half hours, according to the National Institute of Meteorology. The streets were transformed into rivers that dragged cars, stones and, unfortunately, people. The flood, caused by the cumulonimbus storm, claimed eight lives. 

The last victim was located a week later on the El Médano coast, ten miles from the shore, after having disappeared in San Andrés (65 kilometers to the north). The storm disfigured the city from top to bottom. The damage was extensive, especially in the neighborhoods of La AlegríaVallesecoMaría Jiménez (El Bufadero), Cueva BermejaSan AndrésIgueste de San Andrés and Ifara. More than 500 people were evacuated and had to spend the night at the Fairs and Congress Centre. There were 30 injured, 700 houses destroyed, 500 premises affected and a thousand vehicles damaged. 60,000 schoolchildren were left without classes for several days. 

A first evaluation determined that the damage exceeded 90 million euros; 80% of the city was left without electricity and almost half without water. The storm caused the collapse of the emergency services, to the point that 112 was cut off for a couple of hours. One hundred thousand telephone lines were cut. Radio, through emergency generators, was the only means of communication. Yet, at the time of the catastrophe, the sun was shining in the north and south of the island.

The Canarian Government decreed three days of official mourning and the Santa Cruz City Council, chaired by Miguel Zerolo, suspended the May Festivities. The State Government urgently approved aid for the victims. Six days after the tragedy, the Cabildo handed over 2,000 euros to each affected family. Later, more aid would arrive from the Santa Cruz City Council and from the island corporation itself. 

One month after the event, King Juan Carlos visited the most affected areas, meeting the relatives of those that died in the floods.

(Source: Stories of the Canary Islands, Juan Carlos Mateu / María Doménech)

Bust in Santa Cruz that remembers the victims of the flood. The sculpture "Person looking to the horizon" was created by the architect Felipe Hodgson Ravina, born in 1951 in Santa Cruz. It is located at Rambla de Santa Cruz and Avenida Francisco La Roche. Image: Felipe Hodgson, CC BY 3.0

Anniversary of Saint Hermano Pedro

Iglesia de San Pedro Apostol (Church of St Peter the Apostle) in Vilaflor, Tenerife

Today is the anniversary of the birth of Hermano Pedro, the first Central American and Canarian Saint. Peter of Saint Joseph de Betancur (or Betancourt) y Gonzáles who was born in Vilaflor on 21st March 1626 and lived in Tenerife until the age of 23, dedicating his life to shepherding goats between the peaks and the coast, to his Cave of Santo Hermano Pedro

In the last half of his life, he lived in La Antigua, Guatemala, where he became a missionary. Through his charitable works, Brother Peter became one of the pioneers of providing medial assistance to convalescents as well as bringing education to the indigenous population and the poor. His dedication and work in providing for the most needy made him a popular figure amongst Christians in Guatemala, resulting in his canonization by Pope John Paul II in 2002.

Origins of Día de San José - Father's Day

Today, 19 March, we celebrate Día de San José (Saint Joseph's Day) a date marked on the calendar because Día del Padre (Father's Day), in European Catholic tradition, is named after Jesus' adoptive father. In many Spanish communities, this day is also a holiday: Valencia, Extremadura, Navarra, Galicia, Madrid, Murcia and the Basque Country. This is not the case, however, in the Canary Islands. 

The birth of Father's Day

It all began when an American woman, Sonora Smart Dodd, set out to honor her father Henry Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran who had lost his wife in the delivery of her sixth child. This event forced Henry to have to take care of the upbringing of all of them, which is why his daughter wanted to create this commemoration in his honor. Thus, in the United States at that time, the date of Henry's birth, June 19, was proposed as the ideal day to celebrate Father's Day.

This celebration was quickly welcomed by many countries: such as Germany, Argentina or Spain, although Father's Day is not celebrated on the same date in all countries. In those where there is an important Catholic tradition (as in Spain), this festival takes place on the day of José de Nazaret (Saint Joseph), father of Jesus of Nazareth (March 19).

Father's Day has existed as such in Spain since 1948, when its appearance was instigated by a teacher from Madrid (Manuela Vicenta Ferrero), who wanted to establish it after receiving a request from a group of fathers who asked that in schools (as was done with mothers), fathers also received a gift from their children. This teacher decided to write an article, in which she encouraged schools to adopt a day in commemoration of the work and love of fathers, proposing March 19 for its link to Catholicism.

The department store, “Galerías Preciados”, were delighted with the idea and wanted to hire Ferrero herself to encourage the purchase of products designed as gifts for fathers. She rejected the proposal, although she ended up suggesting to the stores that they hire young men from her school for this purpose instead.

The origins of the Carnival Piñata

Piñata

In Tenerife, the last weekend of carnival and first weekend of Lent, is known as Piñata Weekend when supposedly pre-Lenten carnival festivities continue. 

Piñatas are a central element of birthdays and other festive celebration events. Children try to break them to enjoy the loot of candies and other gifts that are hidden inside. However, its origin is not related to children's entertainment. 

The piñata is associated with Latin culture, although historians point to Asia (particularly China) as its actual point of origin. The famous traveller Marco Polo, on his visit to that nation, is supposed to have seen how the Chinese created colourful figures of animals covered with paper, which were hung and used in New Year celebrations. Polo brought the idea of ​​those first piñatas to Europe.

Europeans linked the piñata with the celebrations of Lent. The first Sunday of that liturgical period became "Piñata Sunday", derived from the Italian term pignatta, whose meaning in Spanish is "fragile pot". The custom spread to nearby regions, where Lent acquired the celebration of "El Baile de la Piñata" (Piñata Ball), in which a clay vessel known as "la olla" was used to serve as a piñata

Rumours of such a tradition crossed the ocean and reached America. The Spanish missionaries took their piñatas with them, covering them with coloured paper, with the aim of attracting parishioners to their religious ceremonies. 

Eventually, the piñata acquired religious significance, as it was intended to represent Satan, who was credited with wearing attractive masks to induce people to become sinners. The piñata then took on a satellite shape: a sphere with seven protruding cones. These cones represented the seven deadly sins: greed, gluttony, sloth, pride, envy, anger, and lust. The candies inside were symbols of the temptations that wealth and earthly pleasures implied. 

The custom of breaking the piñata arose in Mexico. Blindfolded participants were ordered to hit the piñata in an effort to combat demonic forces. The club used to smash the piñata, symbolized virtue. Once the piñata was broken, its content was the prize to the participants for being faithful to their faith.

Slowly, the piñata lost its religious association, and today it is merely considered a symbol of fun and entertainment, although it retains its religious significance in some regions. It can be used during the holiday season or at birthday parties, and is no longer reserved for the Latino culture, as people of all nationalities and backgrounds take turns hitting the piñata.


The Baile de la Piñata (Piñata Ball) continues to be celebrated in Tenerife as the central event to the carnival festivities in the remote hamlet of Teno Alto.

Tenerife Carnival Dates for 2023

Dates for Los Cristianos Carnival 2023 now also confirmed.

Santa Cruz Carnival in 2019 was the last that was celebrated with complete normality; Carnival in 2020, if it narrowly missed being curtailed by the start of the pandemic, was disrupted by calima and high windsSanta Cruz Carnival in 2021 was virtual only and Santa Cruz Carnival 2022 was held, unusually, in June

The dates for Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2023 are now confirmed. Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2023 is due to take to the streets between Friday, 17 February 2023 and Sunday, 26 February 2023. The calendar for Carnival 2023 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife can be downloaded (PDF), in Spanish, from the official carnival website and agrees with the timetable we have produced below.

The events in the run up to Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2023 will start on Friday, January 20 and will conclude on February 26 with Piñata Sunday. In between, will be more than five weeks of parties between contests and carnival in the street in what will be the definitive return of carnivals after the pandemic. New York to be the theme of Carnival 2023.

Inauguration and Carnival Contests:
Carnival in the Street:

It has been said that Carnival 2023 would be "one of the earliest celebrated in history", but actually carnival in 2024 will be over a week earlier with Shrove Tuesday falling on 13 February; even earlier in 2027, on 9 Feb. The earliest that carnival has taken place was in 2008, when Shrove Tuesday fell on 5 Feb.

Puerto de la Cruz Carnival

Puerto de la Cruz Carnival 2023 is confirmed to be taking place between 9 and 26 February 2023, with more details from the Carnaval Internacional de Puerto de la Cruz, these are the dates of some of the main events:


Los Gigantes Carnival 

Los Gigantes Carnival usually begins on the Friday ten days after Shrove Tuesday, meaning that their carnival should start on Friday 3 March 2023 and their Main Parade is usually on the Sunday afternoon, that would be Sunday 5 March 2023, at around 5pm. There is information that Carnaval Los Gigantes, is to run from March 2nd - 12th 2023. This does not list what events will take place on which days.


Los Cristianos Carnival 

CONFIRMED: After talking directly with Arona Council (long story), I can now list the confirmed dates of Los Cristianos Carnival 2023, which are between 9 and 20 March 2023, with their Coso Apoteosis (Carnival Main Parade) taking place on Sunday, 19 March 2023. 

UPDATE: Double-checking again today (15 Feb), as I do periodically, I've found that Arona Town Hall has changed the published dates of the Carnival in Los Cristianos 2023 to between 17 and 27 March 2023 (Sunday, 26th March 2023 is the Coso Apoteosis - Main Parade), see Calendario de las Fiestas del Municipio de Arona 2023La Agenda also have these same dates for Carnaval de Los Cristianos, but there's no further information available on the program.



Any change to these dates is entirely beyond our control.

Why do we bury a sardine on Ash Wednesday to say goodbye to the carnival?

The sardine to be cremated in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2019

For several days, costumes, dancing and revelry [usually] flooded the streets of half of Spain. However, on Ash Wednesday everything returns to normal after the Burial of the Sardine. But why do we bury this fish to say goodbye to Carnival?

The Burial of the Sardine consists of a carnival parade that parodies a funeral procession and ends with the burning of a sardine-shaped figure. It's usually celebrated on Ash Wednesday and serves to put an end to the madness of Carnival and usher in the seriousness of Lent. Popularized from the 18th century, as it is such an old tradition, there are various theories about its origin.

According to popular legend, the fault lies with a shipment of sardines in poor condition that arrived at the Madrid markets during the reign of Carlos III (Charles III of Spain). Such was the stench that the king, fearing for the health of his population, ordered the burial of all the rotten sardines on the banks of the Manzanares River. Convinced by this theory, today the Brotherhood of the Burial of the Sardine in Madrid ends its procession at La Fuente de los Pajaritos in the Casa del Campo, as it's said that the sardines were buried there. Other historians, on the other hand, relate the party to Jerónimo Grimaldi, one of the last ministers of Carlos III who was curiously nicknamed "the sardine" because of his extreme thinness. It's said that Grimaldi left the city of Madrid around Lent and the people of Madrid decided to bid him farewell with a great masquerade.

It seems clear that the tradition had its origin in the capital of Spain and spread to other cities in the country and even Latin America. Currently, one of the most massive and famous Burials of the Sardine is the one held in the city of Murcia. However, it has some peculiarities since, for example, it is not used to say goodbye to Carnival but as part of the Spring Festival after Holy Week. 

Sopas de miel, typical recipe from La Palma to celebrate the sweetest carnival

Sopas de miel

This dish, Sopas de miel, which is typical of La Palma, as Sheila, who lives on the island, explains, "A literal translation would be “honey soup” but as you can see, this isn’t soup. It can be rather soggy, though." She adds that she believes that, in some places they use honey, but on La Palma, it’s always “miel de cana” (Sugar Cane Molasses), which is like black treacle or molasses, but a little runnier.

Ingredients

60g toasted almonds
200 ml molasses or cane syrup
1 tablespoon anise
Zest of half a lemon
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Sliced stale bread
half a glass of water

We start by putting the almonds on a wooden board and chopping them irregularly with a knife, making sure that they are not too crushed, but that there are some larger pieces than others. Cut the bread into slices and reserve it.

In a wide and low saucepan, put the honey, the water, the anise, the lemon zest and the cinnamon and place it on the heat. When it starts to boil, add the chopped almonds and the slices of bread, letting them soak well into the mixture, turning them over and then placing them in a shallow bowl to serve.

An Assortment of Carnival Biscuits

An Assortment of Carnival Biscuits

Here from the lovely people at the Municipal Market in La Laguna, via La Laguna Ahora, is an assortment of biscuits with something different for almost every day of the carnival period. The assortment of carnival or tea pastries consists of 8 biscuits of different flavours and aromas, but all circular in shape. Each has its own name, according to the name of a carnival or Lent day.

Ingredients:

170 gr butter
100 gr white sugar
1 pinch salt
2 egg yolks
300 gr flour

Method:

First make a base dough from which to prepare all of the varieties. Make the base dough by mixing the butter, the sugar, the salt, the yolks and the flour (sifted). Knead until all the ingredients are fully integrated. Divide the dough into 8 equal parts, and from here we are going to prepare each variety of the carnival or Lenten tea pastries.

Viernes de Carnaval (Carnival Friday): With the aroma of vanilla, a crunchy texture and decorated with icing sugar. Add vanilla to one portion of the base dough, knead to combine the vanilla flavour, wrap in film and rest in the fridge for 40 minutes. Make 10 gr balls and flatten them onto non-stick paper trying to give them a circular shape and with a thickness of 1/2 centimetre. Bake at 200º for 7 minutes and, when they are cold, sprinkle with icing sugar.

Sabado de Carnaval (Carnival Saturday): With an almond flavour, crunchy texture and decorated with half an almond. Add ground or grated almonds to a portion of base dough, knead, wrap in film and leave to rest in the fridge for 40 minutes. Make 10 gr balls and flatten them onto non-stick paper trying to give them a circular shape and with a thickness of 1/2 centimetre and decorate with half an almond. Bake at 200º for 7 minutes.

Domingo de Carnaval (Carnival Sunday): With cherry flavour and crunchy texture. Take a portion of base dough, knead, wrap in film and let it rest in the fridge for 40 minutes. Make 10 gr balls and squash them onto non-stick paper trying to give them a circular shape and with a thickness of 1/2 centimetre. Add half a glace cherry in the centre of ​​the cookies and bake them at 200º for 8 minutes.

Lunes de Carnaval (Carnival Monday): With creamy chocolate and a crunchy texture. Te take a portion of base dough, knead, wrap in film and let it rest in the fridge for 40 minutes. Make 10 gr balls and squash them onto non-stick paper trying to give them a circular shape and with a thickness of 1/2 centimetre. Form them into cases or small baskets to hold the chocolate filling and bake blind with chickpeas inside. Bake at 200º for 7 minutes and, meanwhile, prepare the chocolate cream.

Chocolate cream: 25 grams of dark chocolate, 25 grams of liquid whipping cream. Bring the liquid cream to a boil and add the chocolate. Remove from the heat and stir until the chocolate is fully integrated with the cream. Place the cream in a pastry bag or syringe and, when the pasta is cooked, remove the chickpeas, and fill them with the chocolate cream.

Martes de Carnaval (Shrove Tuesday): With orange flavour and a crunchy texture on the outside. Grate an orange and squeeze half. Take a portion of base dough and mix well with the zest and juice. Add a couple of tablespoons of wheat flour and knead until you get the right texture (that doesn't stick to your hands). Wrap in film and let it rest in the fridge for 40 minutes. Make 10 gr balls and squash them onto non-stick paper trying to give them a circular shape and with a thickness of 1/2 centimetre. Bake at 200º for 8 minutes.

Miércoles de Ceniza (Ash Wednesday): With lemon flavour and a crunchy texture on the outside. Grate a lemon and squeeze half. Take a portion of base dough and mix well with the zest and juice. Add a couple of tablespoons of wheat flour and knead until you get the right texture (that doesn't stick to your hands). Wrap in film and let it rest in the refrigerator for 40 minutes. Make 10 gr balls and squash them onto non-stick paper trying to give them a circular shape and with a thickness of 1/2 centimetre. Bake at 200º for 8 minutes.

Primer Viernes de Cuaresma (First Friday of Lent): With a hint of cheese flavour, smooth texture and decorated with edible pearls. We take a portion of base dough and mix well with a generous scoop of cream cheese. Add a tablespoon of wheat flour and knead until you get the right texture (that doesn't stick to your hands). Wrap in film and let it rest in the fridge for 40 minutes. Make 10 gr balls and squash them onto non-stick paper trying to give them a circular shape and with a thickness of 1/2 centimetre. Finally decorate them by placing an edible pearl (cake decoration) in the centre and bake them at 200º for 8 minutes.

Domingo de Piñata (Piñata Sunday): With intense cinnamon flavour, crunchy texture and decorated with cinnamon powder. Add ground cinnamon to a portion of the base dough, knead well so that it obtains all the flavour and colour of the cinnamon, wrap in film and let it rest in the refrigerator for 40 minutes. Make 10 gr balls and crush them onto non-stick paper trying to give them a circular shape and with a thickness of 1/2 centimetre. Bake at 200º for 7 minutes and, when they are cold, sprinkle with ground cinnamon.

These can also be made on Viernes de Dolores (Friday of Sorrows) - the Friday before Palm Sunday - to eat until the early hours of Good Friday, with chocolate. 

Tenerife in March 2022

From the Main Parade of Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2019

There are no national public holidays in March, but 1 March 2022 is Shrove Tuesday, traditionally the day of the Carnival Main Parade in Santa Cruz to Tenerife (There will be no carnival parade today, as Santa Cruz Carnival 2022 to be held in June), but it is a municipal holiday in the city, as well as in many other locations on the island. 'Carnival Tuesday' this year has still been declared a municipal holiday in Arafo, Arico, Arona, Candelaria, El Rosario, El Sauzal, Fasnia, Granadilla de Abona, Icod de los Vinos, La Matanza de Acentejo, La Orotava, La Victoria de Acentejo, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, San Miguel de Abona, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Santa Úrsula and Tacoronte. 

From March 2 to 6, Puerto de la Cruz and its Costa Martiánez Leisure Complex will once again celebrate their International Carnival 2022. In this way, the city fulfils the commitment it has, not only with the Puerto de la Cruz carnival groups, but also with the carnival celebrations of Dusseldorf with which it celebrates fifty years of a twinning that has been so beneficial in terms of tourist promotion of Puerto de la Cruz in throughout Germany, the city's main tourist market. “It is an opportunity that Puerto de la Cruz cannot miss”, said Mayor Marco González. 

González thanked the groups for their presence at the presentation ceremony, where there was a representation of the choreographic group Moana, the troupe Carabao Guayana, troupe Son Bahía and Grupo Wild Dance, "who have shown an unwavering commitment to their carnival." The mayor also invited the creator of this year's poster, chosen by public vote, the young illustrator, Jonás Emanuel, from Puerto de la Cruz, to explain what Wannabe symbolizes, based on the mythical Spice Girls. Emanuel highlighted the importance of maintaining this carnival for what it means for all the creatives who work for the carnival.

The celebration of the famous 'Mascarita Ponte Tacón' (Men's High Heels Obstacle Race) was also announced for March 4 in a "reduced but most spectacular version" said Councillor for Fiestas, Alberto Castilla. 

Meanwhile, the apotheosis of carnival (Main Parade) will also take place at the facilities of the Lago Martiánez Tourist Complex on Sunday, March 6.


Queen, King and Children's Throne

The galas that everyone expects - to elect both the queen and the king, as well as the children's throne of carnival - are postponed until the end of August and the beginning of September, with the expectation that in those months the health situation will be normalized. Even so, this March 2, along with the proclamation, the 7 adult candidates and the 4 for the children's throne will be presented, who will opt for the titles this summer. For this, the definitive dates of the Summer Carnival were also announced, which will be extended to host these events and will take place from August 25 to September 11.


This unique Carnival show, takes place without an audience, on March 4. Since Javier Eloy Campos rescued it in 1992, Las Burras de Güímar has become one of the most unique Carnival shows on the island of Tenerife. Between the history and the legend of GüímarLas Burras form part of the oral tradition at a time that takes us back to the Inquisition, under the fight between the Devil and the Archangel Saint Michael, in a representation full of fire and colour that filled the Plaza San Pedro, except last year due to the pandemic.

As happened then, this year, despite the arrival of the anti-COVID vaccines, the Las Burras show as such cannot be held, everything being relegated to an exhibition format, although on this occasion the burning of the sardine, which will take place on the night of March 4, will take place, but without an audience and can only be followed through streaming.


19 March each year is Día de San José - Father's Day.

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.