San Juan Volcano, La Palma Eruption of 1949

Crater of Hoyo Negro, or San Juan Volcano, La Palma. Tigerente, CC BY-SA 4.0

The eruption of the San Juan volcano in 1949 on the island of La Palma, is one of the most recent historical eruptions to have occurred in the Canary archipelago. (Later are the Teneguía Eruption of 1971, the Tagoro volcano on the island of El Hierro in 2011 and the 2021 Tajogaite eruption.)

The 1949 eruption had a volcanic explosiveness index of grade 2, being fissure and strombolian with phreatomagmatic episodes. It lasted 42 days, from June 24 to August 4. It was named San Juan (Saint John the Baptist) because its eruption began on the feast day of this saint, although it is also named Nambroque, for the area where its first mouths opened, or as Las Manchas volcano, because this population was the most affected by the associated lava flow. 

The eruption was the Cumbre Vieja volcanic complex or dorsal, the geologically youngest part of the island and is structured in a north-south eruptive axis.

Two of the three main eruptive mouths, El Duraznero and Hoyo Negro, opened in the summit area, at about 1,800 meters above sea level, while the third, Llano del Banco, emerged at about 1,300 meters above sea level on the western slope. All of them are located in the municipality of El Paso, although the phenomena associated with the eruption also affected the municipalities of Los Llanos de Aridane, Tazacorte, Villa de Mazo, Fuencaliente, Breña Alta and Breña Baja.

The volcano erupted after 237 years without volcanic activity on the island. It began on the morning of June 24 in a crack that appeared in the Duraznero mountain, in the central sector of the Cumbre Vieja ridge, where the emission of materials continued through several mouths until July 8. This day a new fissure opened three kilometres to the northwest, in Llano del Banco, which began to emit a lava flow that reached the west coast in Puerto Naos, crossing Las Manchas, causing the destruction of homes and farmland. This new episode lasted until July 26. Likewise, on July 12, a violent phreatomagmatic eruption had begun in Hoyo Negro that lasted until the 26th of that month, at which time all activity ceased. On July 30, the eruption in El Duraznero was reactivated by a new mouth that emitted fluid lava that descended along the eastern slope of the island. This flow was channelled through the Jurada ravine - later renamed the Lava ravine - until it stopped about 150 meters from the sea, crossing the municipality of Mazo. On August 4, all external manifestations of the eruption ceased, only the final activity in the fumarole phase persisted.

The result of this eruption was the formation of the Cueva de Las Palomas, recently renamed the Todoque volcanic tube. Lava tubes are geomorphological structures typical of volcanic areas that have a good representation on La Palma, this being one of the longest on the island. Its scientific interest is eminently geological and is increased by its biological importance as it houses a peculiar fauna of invertebrate forms highly adapted to hypogean (underground) life.

Chronology and volcanology of the 1949 multi-vent rift-zone eruption on La Palma

The day Buenavista lost part of its history

The rebuilt Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios in Buenavista del Norte

June 22 marks the anniversary of the tragic fire that devastated the church of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, a temple with more than 500 years of history that housed a rich cultural and religious heritage. (Photos of the fire and the aftermath). When I moved to the municipality in 1999, news of the fire was still on everyone's lips, the smell of burning barely having cleared, the church was in ruins and in process of being stripped to rebuild it. 

On Saturday, June 22, 1996, Spain played the quarterfinals of the European Championship against England. The afternoon had just begun and most of the town of Buenavista del Norte was paying attention to the game, except for some residents who alerted the rest of the tragic event: the church of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios was on fire.

The fire, which began in the area of ​​the presbytery but quickly spread to the entire temple, also destroyed several images, including those of the patron saint, the Virgin of Los Remedios, a 17th-century carving from the Sevillian school, attributed to Miguel Adán. It also destroyed the Mudejar-inspired coffered ceiling; an elegant baroque altarpiece from the Martín de Andújar school; much of the splendid stonework; and the valuable museum of sacred art. Only one image could be saved: that of Santa Cecilia.

The image of Saint Cecilia in Buenavista del Norte

The speed with which the flames spread, due in part to the materials that were in the building, such as tea wood, was of such magnitude that it was about to affect the old barn, which was later used as a parish hall. The fire was a real catastrophe that left the town orphaned of one of its main patrimonial, historical and religious assets. 

The church, with 500 years of history, began to be built in 1513 thanks to the efforts of twelve residents who wanted to have a house of God.

The reaction was immediate. That same night a pro-reconstruction commission was created with all the groups, associations and political forces of Buenavista. Also the speed with which the administrations were organized. That same day, given the magnitude of the event, various authorities attended the scene and did not hesitate to offer their support to the then mayor, Aurelio Abreu. From the former Civil Governor of the Province, Heliodoro Rodríguez; through vice president of the Cabildo de Tenerife, Ricardo Melchior; the Bishop of the Nivariense Diocese, Felipe Fernández; the Deputy Minister of Culture of the Government of the Canary Islands, Ángel Marrero; and the mayors of the neighbouring municipalities of Icod de los Vinos, La Guancha, El Tanque, Garachico and Los Silos, among others.

All of them set themselves the objective of recovering the temple, a task that would not be easy but in which they began to believe that it was possible twelve days later, when the Parliament of the Canary Islands unanimously urged the regional government to release 300 million the old pesetas (about £1.5 million) to rebuild the church. It was the first time that a proposal outside the agenda was approved unanimously, recalled Abreu.

The commitment of Pedro Rodríguez Zaragoza, then Regional Minister of the Treasury, stands out, with whom he spent the whole night before trying to release budget items of the different ministries of the autonomous Executive to obtain the money.

After the suffering of a terrifying day, it was necessary to mark a before and after and rebuild the church, despite the fact that the General Directorate of Heritage of the Government of the Canary Islands initially considered this option unfeasible given the seriousness of the incident. Within a few days there was a group of people who were dedicated body and soul to work. The neighbourhood commission, whose president was Manuel Mesa, met every Monday with the mayor and the priest to coordinate actions and organize events for the purpose of raising funds.

José Miguel Márquez Zárate was the architect responsible for the project to recover the historical heritage destroyed by the raging fire. He considers that the work carried out is "a benchmark" due to the "absolute rigor" with which it was done. “If we had to repeat it, it would be impossible due to the efforts that it entailed, both human and economic. It was a real challenge”, he stresses. To cite just one example, all the pieces of the flooring were recovered, classified, restored and replaced by hand one-by-one. 

Márquez places special emphasis on the historic baptismal font, broken into a thousand pieces when a part of the roof fell on it. It was patiently restored thanks to the painstaking classification made of all the materials that were in the ruined church. 

Finally, after eight years of intense work, on June 5, 2004 the church reopened its doors. More than 3,000 people, in addition to the civil, religious and military authorities of the region wanted to witness a long-awaited event, which also served as a tribute to the entire town, the true architect of the reconstruction.

El aciago día en que Buenavista perdió una parte de su historia

Junior Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz 2022

Junior Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2022, Vera García Lima

The Junior Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2022 is Vera García Lima, with, "La Más Bonita Que Llegó a Canarias" (The most beautiful woman who arrived in the Canary Islands), designed by Alexis Santana and representing Marino Tenerife. "The design is a tribute to tourism and to all the professionals who belong to this sector," says Alexis Santana, after saying that "my mother, my aunt and grandmother have all worked in this sector as chambermaids and I know first-hand the importance that it supposes for the economy of the Canary Islands, as it allows the sustenance of thousands of families".

Queen Vera, the great-granddaughter of Las Celias

Her maternal great-grandfather is Ginés, who, at 80, is a veteran of the Las Celias group, along with her grandparents. Her great-uncle is Javi García, one of the founders of the group and, if that's not enough Carnival DNA, the sovereign's father is Samuel, who has been with the group for thirteen years. 

Her court is made up as follows: 

1. 1st Junior Maid of Honour: María Cruz Asencio with the costume "Cucú Cantaba…" (Cuckoo Sang) by Santi Castro and representing Grupo El Cine and López Marrero Construcciones 
2. 2nd Junior Maid of Honour: Leyre González Prieto, with David Afonso's "La Que Hemos Liado Pollito", representing Alma Show and Abordo Restaurant
3. 3rd Junior Maid of Honour: Valentina Díaz Santana with a Santi Castro design called "Desde Las Alturas" (From The Heights) representing BP Guaza and Autostil Premium Cars
4. 4th Junior Maid of Honour: Sara Ortiz Martín, with "¡Cuéntanos otro relato de princesas hechizadas y castillos encantados!" (Tell us another story of enchanted princesses and enchanted castles!) Ruymán Pérez Jorge for the City Council of Santiago del Teide

Vera García Lima, Reina Infantil del Carnaval con una fantasía de Alexis Santana | REINA INFANTIL by iLoveTheWorld

VIDEO: Gala Reina Infantil S/C Tenerife | 2022

Los Cariocas win the 2022 first prize for Interpretation in the Comparsas Contest

Los Cariocas who won the first prize for Interpretation. COMPARSAS by iLoveTheWorld

Comparsa Los Cariocas was the winner in the 2022 Carnival Comparsa Contest held on Saturday at the Tenerife International Fairs and Congress Centre, winning first prize for Interpretation. The second prize went to Los Rumberos; Danzarines Canarios took third place, and highly commended went to Bahía Bahitiare.

As for the Presentation awards, the winner was Río Orinoco (right), with their costume Resiliencia (Resilience). The second prize was awarded to Danzarines Canarios for the costume called Memorias de Oro (Golden Memories); Bahía Bahitiare won the third prize in this category thanks to its design Sabor a Santa Cruz (Flavour of Santa Cruz). Cariocas also won a prize in this section, receiving highly commended for Pasión y Percusión (Passion and Percussion).

The contest, which began at nine o'clock at night, was presented by Rebeca Paniagua with the assistance of Mariam Monagas backstage. On the Interpretation jury was Juan Antonio Rancel Tejera, musical director of ACM Princesa Yaiza; Saray Rojas Talavera, Music teacher at the Güímar Municipal School of Music and at the Official Hispanic-English Music Conservatory; Manoly Triviño Alonso, teacher of the municipal choir of white voices of the City Council of Santa Cruz; Pedro Acevedo, singer and composer; Virginia de León Curbelo, dancer, choreographer and director of artistic events; Cristofer Fernández Arteaga, international dancer and choreographer, organizer of the Tenerife Latin Festival, dance teacher and head of studies at the MM Danza school; Patricia Dávila Ventura, choreographer, dance school director and dancer; Alexis Fernández Fleischer, choreographer, professional dancer and dance teacher at Ritmania Fame Academy and Bailart.

Judging the presentation, were Ruth Pérez Ruiz, graduate in Fine Arts and professor of Fashion Design at the Fernando Estévez School of Art and Superior Design; Sandra de La Rosa Pérez, Bachelor of Fine Arts specializing in Design; and Teresa Hernández Quesada, textile technician and garment maker.

Los Cariocas conquista el Interpretación del Concurso de Comparsas

Concurso de Comparsas de S/C de Tenerife | 2022

Tenerife prepares a beach plan for dogs

Dog on the Playa de La Tejita, with Montaña Roja. Photo Jose Mesa

Dog beaches in Tenerife could soon be a reality. The Canarian Coalition-Canary Nationalist Party (CC-PNC) group in the Island Council has managed to create a Canine Beaches Plan, so that this entity and the municipalities will coordinate to provide the island with more spaces for pets. The nationalist councillor Antolín Bueno has indicated in a note that "we have managed to get the Cabildo, in collaboration with the municipalities, to commit to designing and executing a plan for the implementation of dog beaches for the use and enjoyment of dogs and their owners, distributed throughout the geography of Tenerife“.

With this plan, the insular corporation will have a budget item to help those councils that require it to cover the expenses for the adaptation, equipment and signage of these beaches for dogs.

Bueno explained that there are currently only three dog-friendly beaches in Tenerife, which are El Callao/Las Bajas (Arona), Puertito de Güímar beach and El Confital beach (Granadilla de Abona).

“They are insufficient to meet the current high demand and, in addition, they are concentrated in the southern part of the island, so all the island's municipalities must be involved in establishing, to the extent possible, spaces for pets," he adds.

In this regard, it should be noted that according to the Zoocan census (Canary Animal Identification Registry) there are 250,957 dogs in Tenerife.

The motion presented by the CC-PNC has had the contribution of other political formations, which have proposed the adoption of the agreement to urge the island's councils to modify the current municipal ordinances for the use and enjoyment of the beaches and, incorporating access to beaches for pets, in the following Insular Council for Animal Protection and Welfare.

Likewise, the Cabildo, in collaboration with the consistories, will study the implementation of a computer application that gathers all the necessary information for visits to the beaches for dogs, their services, rules of use and animal welfare, as well as any other complementary information.

Tenerife prepara un plan de playas para perros

Andonaegui who prevented the Canary Islands from becoming a colony of the United Kingdom

Philip V of Spain

A feat that would have had irreparable consequences for the archipelago.

The conflicts that Spain has been settling with the United Kingdom, always against the backdrop of the occupation of Gibraltar, which has remained under that sovereignty since 1713, bring to the surface in the island's memory that the Canary Islands, through the island of Gran Canaria, were also on the verge of becoming, like the Rock, a British Overseas Territory.

José de Andonaegui, the protagonist of that feat, arrived in the Islands on May 17, 1741 assigned as an engineer accompanying the commander general Andrés Bonito de Pignatelli and was quartered in Tenerife as a militia inspector, renovating and reforming the San Pedro Batteries, which would henceforth serve as the Engineers' Barracks, and del Rosario, also known as the Nuestra Señora de la Rosa Barracks, later destined as the Canary Islands Works Command, building a new Santa Isabel Barracks.

Once those Tenerife fortifications were finished, José de Andonaegui went to the island of Gran Canaria as a colonel at the end of 1742, and on December 14 of that year he married María Nicolasa de Barreda Yebra y Melo, daughter of Diego Manuel de la Barreda Yebra, at that time advisor to the king and Oidor of the Royal Audience of the Canary Islands, (from the illustrious family of Santillana) and María Nicolasa de Arellaga y Melo.

It is recorded from this marriage that their children were Gertrudis, a nun, and Antonio, born in Las Palmas in 1743 and 1744, and José, who came into the world in Buenos Aires in 1747, the brothers entering the Royal Seminary of Nobles in Madrid in 1759, according to data provided by the genealogist Miguel Rodríguez Díaz de Quintana.

The stay of the colonel-engineer in the capital of Gran Canaria coincided with the invasion of the island by an English squadron of five ships commanded by Admiral Charles Windham, which was the reason for his being appointed Brigadier of the Armies and taking over the governorship of the Islands' Weapons.

The British squadron remained on June 17, 18 and 19, 1743 threatening the Bahía de las Isletas (Bay of las Isletas), although without being able to land or practice any hostility due to the heroic defence of the islanders and the outstanding role of our protagonist.

José de Andonaegui (1685-1761)

José de Andonaegui informed King Felipe V of the behavior of the militia troops in defence of the Island, highlighting the role of Bishop Juan Francisco Guillén, thanks to whose patriotic zeal the attempt by the enemy squadron was stopped. The King, through the Marquis of La Ensenada, thanked him in a letter for the gesture of "singular love for his royal service", which is why he decorated several officers and soldiers.

During the illness of the general commander of the Canary Islands at that time, José Masones de Lima y Sotomayor, third Marquis of Casa Fuerte, the Biscayan inspector-engineer had to temporarily assume command of the Archipelago in October 1745.

The Spanish politician and soldier was born in Markina (Vizcaya). After passing through the islands between 1741 and 1745, he was made governor of Buenos Aires, position he held between 1745 and 1756, in which he stood out with a policy of support for the commercial opening of that country, under whose administration expeditions to Patagonia were made and the exploitation of their wealth. Upon ceasing his post in 1756, he returned to Spain and settled with his family in Madrid, where he died on September 3, 1761.

Andonaegui, el vasco que evitó que Canarias fuese una colonia del Reino Unido

The Characters of Carnival, important guardians of the festival's legacy

Characters of Carnival, at the Main Parade in 2019

The late Pedro Gómez Cuenca, 'El Charlot de Tenerife' (Charlie Chaplin), was the forerunner of more than twenty icons who walk the streets of Santa Cruz every year to bring a smile to the people. He was the first of these characters of the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife to be officially recognized and from that moment on, a series of characters began to emerge who tried their luck to see if their character worked, making many of them part of the history of carnival.

Charlot, Harpo Marx, La Lecherita (The Milkmaid), Miss Piggy, Cantinflas, Doña Croqueta and Don Ciruelo, Chiquito de la Calzada, El Cura del Carnaval, J.R., Popeye, Fidel Castro, Michael Jackson, El Caballero de la Palmatoria or El Sheriff are unmistakable symbols and essential elements of the festival of International Tourist Interest and have managed to write their name in capital letters in the hearts of all the chicharreros, contributing to making the Santa Cruz Carnival as we know it today. Over time, new characters have emerged that are beginning to consolidate themselves in the party and that have popularized names such as Robocop, Jack Sparrow, M.A., El Sombrero Loco, La Azafata (from Santiago del Teide), Los Nazis, El Cuadro, Half Boyfriend-Half Girlfriend or Las Celias.

Undoubtedly, all of them, from the oldest to the newest, receive the affection of the people of Santa Cruz every year, something that is essential for them and keeps them going year after year walking the streets of Santa Cruz. Seeing a smile on people's faces is the only goal they pursue, and that is precisely what makes them make the sacrifice of leaving their family and friends aside for a few months to dedicate themselves body and soul to the most important party of the Canary Islands. In fact, this last year of hiatus due to COVID-19 they describe as a period of time in which they have been "disorientated".

The Characters of the Carnival have great importance for the chicharreros and, furthermore, in the words of the president of the association that groups them - the person who hides behind Harpo Marx -  "We are recognized as people who have been going out in the Carnival events for many years, and we always take part without receiving any remuneration”. However, he adds that "there were times when we were given more importance and there have been others, like the current time, in which we have gone into the background.

The institutions should have an important role in the conservation of these carnival emblems. However, as they say, on many occasions "it seems that, instead of helping, we're a bother". For that reason, and to guarantee the future of the Carnival characters - who are becoming fewer and fewer due to age - the Asociación de los Personajes del Carnaval was created three years ago, which seeks to encourage people to find a character with whom they identify and continue with it for several years so that their legacy is not lost.

Los personajes del Carnaval, los guardianes del legado de la fiesta

Corpus in La Orotava route dates from 1536

Corpus Christi Flower Carpet outside the Casa Monteverde, La Orotava, Tenerife

A member of the Monteverde family, promoter of the tradition of carpeting the route of the Blessed Sacrament with flowers, found a document that confirms that the route of the Corpus de la Orotava dates from the 16th century.

Agustín Monteverde, representative of the family that began the tradition of making a flower carpet at the door of their house, Casa Monteverde, in the 19th century to celebrate the passage of the Corpus Christi procession in La Orotava, announced yesterday that he had found a document from an ancestor of his in which it was recorded that the current route was established in 1536.

“On February 14, 1536, having observed that the procession did not pass by his house, he sent a letter to the Bishop of the Canary Islands complaining about it and he issued an edict addressing the parish so that from that date and forever, the Corpus Christi of La Orotava had to go past the house on its route”, the same one that is currently done, he said.

"I think this date is important because it marks the birth of the current route, and if it weren't for this, it would go somewhere else and what happened next might not have happened," said Agustín Monteverde. Specifically, he referred to the fact that if the route had not passed the house of his great-great-grandmother, Leonor del Castillo, she would not have been the promoter of a tradition that began in 1847 and is preserved today: the carpets of petals of flowers and volcanic sand to adorn the town on its big day of Corpus Christi, which this year commemorates its 175th anniversary.

On the occasion of this anniversary, the Association of Carpet Makers has prepared an ambitious program whose president, Leo Rodríguez, detailed at a press conference. Between the months of April and June, it includes the making of a carpet 'for solidarity with La Palma', a tribute to the first board of directors of the Corpus of La Orotava, as well as a cooking show, a flower and craft fair and the exhibition '175 years between petals', among other events. In the long term, the Association is working with other groups to launch the Canarian Federation of Ephemeral Art.

Councilor for Fiestas, Alexis Pacheco, assured that the City Council "works intensely" so that in 2022 the carpets return to the street after two years suspended due to the pandemic.

Confirman que el actual trayecto del Corpus de La Orotava se instauró en 1536 

Senior Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz 2022

María del Carmen Ramos, Senior Carnival Queen 2022

The 'Queen of the Volcano', María del Carmen Ramos Quintero, with a creation entitled 'Rozando el cielo' (Touching the sky), on behalf of the Centre for Alternative Therapies Oroterapias, designed by Alfonso Baute, is the Senior Queen of Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2022. Previously, Queen of the Winter Festival in her native Tazacorte (La Palma), in 1971 when Teneguía had erupted, she wins again, 50 years later, chosen at yesterday's Senior Carnival Gala, in the year following another eruption on that island. 

She will be accompanied in her reign by her court of honour: 

1. First Lady of Honour: Evelina de la Fuente, representing the City Council of Granadilla with a Santi Castro design, "J'Aime Paris" (I Love Paris); 
2. Second Lady of Honour: María Magdalena Hernández Toste, with the design "Volver" (Return) designed by the Nira Carnival Cultural Association, representing the City Council of Los Realejos 
3. Third Lady of Honour: Juana Pérez Sánchez, with a design by Alexis Santana Rodríguez called "Mi Gran Debilidad" (My Great Weakness), to represent the Santa Úrsula Open Commercial Zone 
4. Fourth Lady of Honour: Francisca Navarro Mendoza, representing Turismo de Arona, with the costume "En Otra Piel" (In another skin), by David Afonso

María del Carmen Ramos, 'la reina del volcán', soberana del Carnaval de los mayores | María del Carmen Ramos Quintero, nueva Reina de los Mayores del Carnaval 2022 | María del Carmen Ramos Quintero es coronada Reina de los Mayores 2022 | Reina de Mayores by iLoveTheWorld

VIDEO: Gala Reina de los Mayores | 2022

Eruption of the Chahorra Volcano

Pico Viejo and the Narices del Teide Carlos Martin Diaz, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Volcanological Institute of the Canary Islands (Involcan), celebrates the anniversary of the eruption of the Chahorra or Narices del Teide volcano in 1798, which lasted 99 days, one of 16 historical eruptions in the Canary Islands.

Involcan posted on its social networks that it celebrates this volcanic eruption - although many people associate this type of activity as a source of destruction - because thanks to the existing magmatic activity and the countless number of eruptions that have occurred on the islands over millions of years, it has been possible to build the archipelago. "Without volcanic activity the Canary Islands would not have been built and therefore the Canarian society would not have existed," says Involcan to argue the celebration of this anniversary.

It also listed 16 historical eruptions in the Canary Islands:

1. La Palma with the Tacande volcano (1430-1447)
2. In 1492, Christopher Columbus described a volcanic eruption in Tenerife, although its specific location is unknown
3. The Boca Cangrejo eruption, also on Tenerife, is dated to the 16th century
4. Tehuya volcano erupted in 1586 on La Palma
5. Tigalate in 1646 on La Palma
6. San Antonio between 1677-1678, on the island of La Palma
7. On Tenerife, between 1704-1705 the Siete Fuentes (Fasnia-Arafo) 
8. Trevejo or Arenas Negras volcano in Tenerife erupted in 1706
9. In 1712, La Palma was the scene of a new eruption of the Charco volcano
10. The eruption of Timanfaya, in Lanzarote, between 1730 and 1736
11. Chahorra or Narices del Teide (Noses of Teide), in Tenerife, in 1798
12. Tao-Nuevo del Fuego-Tinguatón, in Lanzarote, in 1824
13. In the 20th century, the Chinyero volcano, in Tenerife, erupted in 1909
14. San Juan, on La Palma, in 1949 
15. Teneguía, also on La Palma island, in 1971
16. Tagoro, underwater volcano on El Hierro, between 2011 and 2012. 

To this list must be added the eruption on La Palma in 2021.

La erupción del volcán Chahorra que duró 99 días en Tenerife

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival Queen 2022

Ruth González Martín, Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2022

Elected at last night's (Fri 10 Jun 2022) two-and-a-half hour gala at the Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses, Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2022 is Ruth González Martín, with "¡¡Mírame!!" (Look At Me), designed by Santi Castro and representing the Añaza Carrefour Shopping Centre.

Her court is made up as follows: 

1. 1st Maid of Honour: Yanira Morales Plasencia, with a costume by Sedomir Rodríguez de la Sierra, "Junto a Mi" (Together with Me), representing Alcampo La Laguna Shopping Centre.
2. 2nd Maid of Honour: Jennifer María García García, with the costume "Volver a Soñar" (To Dream Again), designed by Asociación Nira, representing Malidente SLU.
3. 3rd Maid of Honour: Marta González Pérez, with a design by Daniel Pages called "El Cielo de Fondo" (The Sky in the Background), representing McDonald's and newspaper El Día-La Opinión de Tenerife.
4. 4th Maid of Honour: Tania Pérez de la Rosa, representing El Gusto Por el Vino and Dormitorum S.L. with the design "La Monarca" (The Monarch) by Juan Carlos Armas.

Ruth González Martín, la Reina de 2022, el primer Carnaval ‘veraniego’ 

For the first time in history, the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival was held in summer, in June, with carnival in the streets from 23 to 26 June 2022. 

VIDEO: Ruth González, Reina del Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2022

Santa Cruz premieres a CD Tenerife Historic Route in the year of the club's centenary

Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López Photo: JUAN BLAS tenerife, CC BY-SA 4.0

Fans will be able to follow the route, with eight locations, with the support of downloadable maps on mobile phones from the official website. The mayor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, José Manuel Bermúdez, and the president of CD Tenerife, Miguel Concepción, presented the Historic-Cultural Route, in the Plaza de la Paz, where a plaque that identifies it as one of the spaces in which the club's great successes were celebrated was unveiled. 

The event was also attended by deputy mayor Carlos Tarife and vice president of CD Tenerife and general secretary of its Foundation, Milagros Luis. The mayor pointed out that "the Plaza de la Paz in the 80s was the venue for promotions of Tenerife as well as participation in UEFA" and added "we have begun a historical tour of the emblematic sites where, on the occasion of the centenary, the connection between Santa Cruz and CD Tenerife had to be reflected”. “I appeal to all the fans to join in the support of CD Tenerife, to bring joy to the city and for the players to feel the support of the fans”, requested Bermúdez.

President of CD Tenerife, Miguel Concepción, highlighted that “We are in one of the preparatory acts of the centenary, in those historical points where the deeds that Tenerife has done throughout its history were celebrated. We hope that what is coming soon will be the finishing touch to this initiative”.

Next, Bermúdez and Concepción went to Calle Alfaro, where they unveiled a plaque that identifies the location of the soccer field where the team held its first matches, since its foundation in 1922. This venue, which was previously the headquarters of Tenerife Sporting Club, remained open until the inauguration, in 1925, of the old Stadium, where the Heliodoro Rodríguez stands today.

Fans interested in doing this route, starting from the old portico of the Herradura stand, can obtain a downloadable map from the CD Tenerife website. Download the route (PDF) The route consists of six other signposted points, where five of the club's headquarters have been and in the Plaza de España, the setting for the celebration of the last promotions to the First Division.

A route to locate spaces with history. The presentation of this initiative coincides with the commemoration of the centenary of the founding centenary of CD Tenerife (1922-2022) and aims to enhance the links that unite the entity with the municipality where it was born, where it has established its headquarters since then and where its matches take place. This relationship acquired greater prominence as of 1928, when the City Council authorized the use of the city's coat of arms as the emblem of CD Tenerife.

Hence, the plates installed next to the points that make up the Historical-Cultural Route carry the following as a common legend that translates to: “The Hon. City Council of Santa Cruz de Santiago de Tenerife, as a tribute to the Club Deportivo Tenerife, on the occasion of the commemoration of its founding Centenary (1922-2022)”, in addition to succinctly informing the reason why each location is marked.

The Historic-Cultural Route of CD Tenerife is made up as follows:

Departure: Heliodoro Rodríguez López Stadium

The Heliodoro Rodríguez López Stadium has been the scene of some 1,400 official commitments of Club Deportivo Tenerife in national competitions. It also hosted their European adventures in the 93/94 and 96/97 seasons. Juan Muñoz Pruneda, who was also president of the Club, José Enrique Marrero Regalado and Carlos Schwartz are the three architects to whom the Stadium owes its three configurations between 1925 and today.

1. Plaza de la Paz

Located in the vicinity of the Stadium, around its old fountain the promotion celebrations to Second Division A took place in 1983 and 1987. The most resounding triumphs of the two participations in the UEFA Cup were also celebrated, in the 1993-19 seasons 94 and 1996-1997.

2. Calle Alfaro, Ramón y Cajal

Before the first team opened the stadium built next to the San Sebastián road in 1925, the Tenerife game venue was located in this place, parallel to the Santos ravine. During the three years since the foundation of the club, in 1922, rivals such as Marítimo and Unión de Funchal, Real Vigo and Sevilla FC, as well as the best teams from the islands, passed through here.

3. Calle Viera y Clavijo, 2

On December 19, 1959, the inauguration of the blue and white headquarters took place, installed on the first floor of the old building that was located in this place. The existing balcony in the corner was characteristic, where the next match of the first team was announced. After its closure, in 1989, the offices were installed temporarily, until 1992, under the Tribune of the Stadium.

4. Callejón del Combate, 1

It was the last location that the club's headquarters had before the definitive transfer to the Stadium, carried out in 2014. Its opening in 1992 coincided with the transformation of the club into a public limited company and the sale of shares, which was a notable success. The queues of fans throughout the area are still remembered.

5. Calle del Castillo, 16

The first references to the installation of the club's offices in this location date back to 1941, in the midst of the post-war period. The uniqueness of the place lies in the fire that destroyed the entire building in the early hours of April 18, 1945. The entity lost all its documentary and photographic archives, trophies, pennants...

6. Calle Clavel, 11

After occupying different buildings in the city, in streets such as San Juan Bautista, Imeldo Serís, Cruz Verde or Suárez Guerra, the club ended up establishing its headquarters in this place, between 1930 and 1936. Before the civil war paralyzed the sporting activity, the successful tour that pitted Tenerife against Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid on mainland lands was organized here.

7. Plaza de la Candelaria, 4

In January 1947, the club opened its headquarters in this central location, on the upper floors of the Claverie jewellery store, after temporarily occupying, for a year and a half, a space ceded by the Masa Coral in its premises near the Plaza del Príncipe, as a result of the fire of April 1945. The stay in the Plaza de la Candelaria lasted until 1959, hosting all the steps that ended up giving rise to access to national competitions, with promotion to the Second Division in 1953.

8. Plaza de España

CD Tenerife has been celebrating its great sporting successes in this location since 1989, when the Blue and Whites' fans received the heroes who sealed the second promotion to the First Division in Seville. Later, in 2001 and 2009, this area of ​​the capital hosted the popular celebrations that gave rise to the other two jumps to the big category, sealed in Leganés and Girona, respectively. Likewise, in 2013, with the last promotion to Second A, the Plaza de España was the venue for the celebration.

Santa Cruz estrena la Ruta Histórico-Cultural del CD Tenerife

Tenerife Carnival Dates for 2022

Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2022 Carnival Poster

Just 10 days before the original date of the carnival inauguration, it became inevitable that Santa Cruz Carnival 2022 would be postponed. At a Zoom meeting on 17 Jan, attended by 103 people: organisers, representatives of the carnival groups, etc., it was decided that it will be June or nothing. And the intended dates were decided to be from Friday, 3 June to Sunday, 26 June. 

Mayor, José Manuel Bermúdez, says the change in the dates is due to the rise in infections caused by the sixth wave of COVID and, is a way to “save” the celebration. Other cities have already set the precedent, such as Valencia with its Fallas or Cádiz with its Carnival. Now it is the turn of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which has decided to move the Carnival to June. With the arrival of the sixth wave of COVID, as explained by the mayor, they have had to make decisions, always to guarantee the safety of people, while also being able to celebrate a party in which more than 9,000 people are involved. “At the moment, the data has taken us to level 4, and the forecast of the Government of the Canary Islands is that Tenerife will continue at that level until the end of the month. That makes going back to rehearsals in the short term practically impossible, and, even if the alert were lowered to level 3, it would still be very difficult to maintain the group meetings”.

Santa Cruz decide trasladar el Carnaval al mes de junio 

Final Schedule of the Santa Cruz Carnival

The definitive calendar of the Santa Cruz Carnival was made public at the end of March. The party will become the first great event of the post-COVID era in the Canary Islands, once all the restrictions imposed by the regional government have been lifted. The evolution of the pandemic has ended up proving the Santa Cruz City Council right in its decision to delay the celebration of the festival until June, which will allow for a Carnival of "contests, galas and [for the celebrations in the] street".

After the inauguration of Carnival 2022, on Friday, June 3 at 9:30 p.m. at the Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses (Recinto Ferial), the Rondallas begin the calendar of competitions, on Saturday, June 4 at 5:00 p.m., in the emblematic Guimerá Theater stage. On Sunday, June 5, at the Recinto Ferial, the Choreographic Festival will begin at 5:00 p.m.

The Guimerá Theater will also host the Los Fregolinos concert on Tuesday, June 7 at 8:30 p.m. A day later, on Wednesday, June 8, also at 8:30 p.m., it will be the turn of the La Zarzuela Festival.

Continuing with the final calendar of the Santa Cruz Carnival 2022, during the second weekend of June, the Carnival Queen Election Gala will be held on Friday, June 10 at 9:30 p.m. On Saturday, June 11 at 9:00 p.m., it will be the turn for the Musical Groups Contest and on Sunday, June 12, starting at 5:00 p.m., it will be the Election Gala of the Senior Carnival Queen.

From Monday 13 to Wednesday 15 June, the 3 phases of the adult murgas will take place, starting at 9:00 p.m., with the final being held on Friday, June 17, also at 9:00 p.m. The Comparsas Contest will be on Saturday, June 18 at 9:00 p.m.; and to close the week, the Junior Carnival Queen Gala, which will be on Sunday, June 19 at 6:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m.

In the last week of June, the 3 phases of the children's murgas contest will take place, from Monday 20 to Wednesday 22 June, starting at 9:00 p.m.

LA SARDINA by iLoveTheWorld
This year's 'Burial of the Sardine According to San Juan' - the Burial of COVID, to be more exact. - kicked off the most important festival in the city two and a half years after its last edition, and opens the door to a massive weekend of non-stop partying. The sardine was pardoned, at least until next year.

Thursday, June 23, will be when, starting at 8:00 p.m., the Carnival in the street begins with a species of Burial of the Sardine. On Friday, June 24 at 7:00 p.m., the traditional Carnival Opening Parade will begin, which will run into the night time dances to the orchestras on the stages distributed throughout the streets of Santa Cruz. On Saturday, June 25, the Daytime Carnival will be held, which will continue until it merges with the second night of carnival in the streets.

On Sunday, June 26, and as the culmination of the 2022 carnival, the Daytime Carnival will be held, to conclude at 8:00 p.m. with the Rhythm and Harmony Contest on Anaga Avenue. A fireworks display will close this edition, the most anticipated in the history of the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Calendario definitivo del Carnaval de Santa Cruz: arrancará el 3 de junio

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. 

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

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”. 

Desempolva tu sable láser: ‘Ciencia Ficción’ será el tema del Carnaval 2022

El Carnaval de 2022 será de Ciencia Ficción: “Volveremos a la normalidad”

Stormtroopers S/C at the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2018

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. 

Thirty years ago: Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival Queen 1992

Twenty years ago: Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival Queen 2002

Ten years ago: Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival Queen 2012

Puerto de la Cruz Carnival

• Thursday 24 February 2022 - Election of the Carnival Queen
• Saturday 26 February 2022 - Proclamatory Parade
• Wednesday 2 March 2022 - Burial of the Sardine
• Friday 4 March 2022 - Men´s Marathon in High Heels
• Saturday 5 March 2022 Sunday 6 March - Main Parade

More details: Puerto de la Cruz International Carnival 2022

Los Gigantes Carnival

Los Gigantes held carnival events in August 2022.

Los Cristianos Carnival

As ever, we won't even guess when Los Cristianos carnival will be held.

Remembering the passing of the First Fleet

"Santa Cruz on the SE side of Teneriffe; Sirius & convoy in the roads. June 1787. The peak shewing in a gap between two other mountains." William Bradley, watercolour from his journal ‘A Voyage to New South Wales’, 1802+. State Library of New South Wales. Sydney Living Museums.

Furious battles, patriotic displays and frenetic trading, the harbour of Santa Cruz has certainly witnessed some sights over the past five hundred years or so, but when it came to the visit of the First Fleet, it must have been quite an experience.

The First Fleet set sail from Portsmouth on Sunday, May 13 1787, first port of call, Tenerife and it would have been with no little relief that on June 3, land hove into view in the majestic shape of Mount Teide and the Anaga mountains. 

It must have been a welcome pause on what was to be the longest voyage ever attempted up to then by such a large group of civilians.

The agrarian revolution and the population explosion in British cities had resulted in an increase in crime. The American Revolution had put paid to the off-loading of convicts on the other side of the Atlantic. The only way, as the authorities saw it, to ease the overcrowding of prisons was to send their occupants to establish a penal colony in the land discovered by Captain Cook.

On the night of 8 June, while the ships were busily being loaded with fresh water, a convict named John Powers made a brief escape from Alexander.

The fleet was in Santa Cruz for a week, taking on water and provisions, providing locals with trade and plenty to talk about. On the morning of June 10, 1787, with a fair wind behind them, the fleet sailed out of Santa Cruz bay. They arrived in another, Botany Bay, on January 18 1788.

The First Fleet is the name given to the 11 ships which sailed from the United Kingdom in May 1787 to establish the first European colony in New South Wales. It was a convict settlement, marking the beginnings of transportation to Australia. The fleet of 11 ships was led by Captain (later Admiral) Arthur Phillip.

Tenerife in June 2022

Día de las Alfombras (Carpet Day) in La Orotava

There are no public holidays in June and the biggest event of the month would usually be for Corpus Christi with the Día de las Alfombras (Carpet Day), this year taking place on 23 Jun 2022. This date, however, is also the Noche de San Juan (Eve of San Juan), which this year, unusually, also coincides with the start of carnival in the streets of Santa Cruz. Thursday, June 23, starting at 9:00 p.m., will be when, atypically, the revelries begin with the Burial of the Sardine.

Leading up to that, it is going to be a busy month with all of the carnival contests, which will kick off on Friday, 3 June with the Carnival Inauguration Gala.

Municipal holidays this month are: 

• 13 June: Festivity of San Antonio de Padua in Granadilla de Abona
• 23 June: Infraoctava of Corpus Christi in La Orotava (Carpet Day)
• 24 June: Festivity of San Juan Bautista in Guía de Isora, Los Silos and San Juan de la Rambla
• 29 June: Festivity of San Pedro Apóstol in El Sauzal and Güímar

Granadilla de Abona will again vibrate with the arrival of the Major Festivals in honor of San Antonio de Padua and Nuestra Señora del Rosario 2022. The celebrations begin to recover the normality lost as a result of the pandemic and with an extensive program of events for the whole family that has been presented by the mayor, José Domingo Regalado, and the Councillor for Culture and Festivals, Eudita Mendoza. Regalado highlighted that “the heart of the Historic Villa beats again with its festivities, an unmissable event that will once again flood the town with color and joy". He asserted that a wide variety of activities for the whole family have been organized with great care. He thanked the work and dedication of many hands that collaborate so that this popular event resumes and grows, and invited the population to join in. The grand gala for the election of the queen of the fiestas is on Friday, June 3, and will take place from 9:00 p.m., in Parque de Los Hinojeros (Los Hinojoros Park), with performances by comedians Kike Pérez and Aarón Gómez, the Añate Cultural Association and the singer Soraya Arnelas, as well as Kuliquitacas del Sur and Legacy Dance.

Highlighted are events with Canarian traditions, with the XXXII Canarian Craft and Gastronomy Fair on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 June, in the Plaza de San Antonio de Padua. The XLIV Pilgrimage in honor of San Antonio de Padua will take to the streets again on Sunday, June 5, after mass sung by the Parranda Chasnera, touring the main streets and ending in Parque de Los Hinojeros, where there will then be a party with the orchestras, Tropin, Wamampy, Sensación Gomera and the group 'Una hora menos'.

Music will once again take centre stage with the Ocho Orillas Festival on Saturday, June 4, with the participation of soloists Claudia Álamo, Luis Morera, Aarón Morales, Chago Melián, Isabel Padrón, Domingo 'El Colorao', Ciro Corujo and Almudena Hernandez. The multidisciplinary show 'Jazz, Wine and Poetry' is on Thursday, June 9; the Loka Urban Party, on Friday, June 10, with performances by Dj Zzoilo, Fabio, Dj Valdi, Elilluminari, Katty Mk, Yovinand Music and Mike Godlman, and a concert by the music band of the José Reyes Martín Cultural Society, on Saturday June 11, at the Casino XI de Junio, with the guest band from San Juan de la Rambla, the Alcaraván Artistic Association. That same day, starting at 10:00 p.m., there will be a concert by Manny Manuel and the La Sabrosa orchestra, ending with the ‘Maquinaria Band’ orchestra. The festivities will say goodbye until next year with a concert in honor of San Antonio de Padua, by Los Sabandeños, on Monday, June 13, at Los Hinojoros Park.

Las fiestas mayores vuelven a latir en la Villa Histórica de Granadilla de Abona

The Romería de San Isidro, is due to take place this Sunday, 5 June 2022, in the neighbourhood of Guamasa, part of San Cristóbal de La Laguna. If you love walks through misty and humid places that remind you of the English countryside; Places dotted with small towns, with cobbled streets, where green adorns and brightens up the black of the rain-soaked cobblestones; full of humble stone and wood houses where an old fireplace provides warmth when the temperatures drop and the humidity permeates our bones: a delicious hot soup and a good fire to warm up, come to the Paseo de las Acacias in Guamasa this Sunday to enjoy its Romería. Guamasa is an example of the rural history of La Laguna, where the gastronomic offer, the wine culture and the cultivation of cereals are part of the nature of its people.

Guamasa takes the name of a Guanche princess (a pre-Hispanic native of the island), whose story has come down to the present in the form of a tragic legend with different versions; One of them tells that Guamasa, daughter of Acaymo, the last Mencey (king) of Tacoronte, fell in love with the dashing young Teguaro. An impossible love due to the difference in lineage. They they escaped to a hidden place near the Aguere lagoon. When Acaymo found out, he was furious and the couple turned to Tejina, Guamasa's sister, to mediate with her father. Acaymo ended up accepting the relationship and the young couple got married, receiving a plain next to the Rodeos as a dowry. Shortly after the wedding, Teguaro became involeved with other women, which caused Acaymo to banish him. Tinguaro went to the mountains and one night lost his life when he fell into a ravine, while Guamasa died of loneliness and sadness in the plain that bears her name.

Legends aside Guamasa has been an area of great agricultural and livestock wealth since pre-Hispanic times: wheat, fruit trees, potatoes, vegetables, cows, goats, sheep, etc. Today, the area maintains its ancestral character and it is not uncommon to come across people on horseback. An outstanding place in Guamasa is the Las Acacias promenade, very close to the Boquerón descent, it is a paved and pedestrian path for a good part of its route.

One of the traditions that makes the people of Guamasa most proud is the local sport "Lucha Canaria" (Canarian wrestling) which in the area has a tradition of almost seven decades. From the gastronomic point of view, the offer is wide and varied, ranging from the typical guachinches to the most exquisite restaurants.

And one of the most important festivities in Guamasa is the Pilgrimage in honor of San Isidro Labrador, in June, to give thanks for the fruits of the harvest.

Guamasa arranca este jueves con las fiestas y romería en honor a San Isidro Labrador 2022 | Guamasa leyenda, Paseo de Las Acacias y Romería de San Isidro

This 'Ruta de los Tajinastes en Flor' (Route of the Tajinastes in Flower), in the Teide National Park, on June 10, is for people over 55 years of age. Registration will be open from May 20 to June 8 at the website of Granadilla Council. Although, obviously, qualifying persons will need a good knowledge of Spanish for this activity.

That said, the announcement reminded me that it is the season to see the Tajinaste (Tenerife bugloss) or Echium wildpretii, which is a species endemic to the Canary Islands, and is found mainly on Mount Teide in Tenerife.

So, whether you join this walk, look out for a commercial excursion or drive up to the national park independently, it's definitely worth putting on your bucket list.

Oh and I love the plant is referred to as a Tower of Jewels (Via). So very apt.

Puerto de la Cruz extols the traditions from June 21 to 24 in the San Juan festivities. Puerto de la Cruz is where to find many of the customs for midsummer in Tenerife and this year those celebrations are back, including the music and bonfires on the beach. The Department of Culture of the City Council of Puerto de la Cruz has designed a festive program with the aim of publicizing the ancient traditions of the San Juan festivities and encouraging the participation of residents and visitors on one of the key dates in the calendar.

Every year, in time for the festivities of San Juan (Saint John), all of the water fountains in the town are decorated with flowers, fruit and vegetables. The Chorros Enramados (Decorated Fountains) - similar to well dressing in England - begins on the evening of 22 June, with the 23 June being the one day to view these displays. These water sources were very important when they were installed in the 19th Century and are celebrated. Map of the locations.

On the evening of 23rd June, on Playa Jardin, Noche de San Juan (Eve of San Juan) is celebrated, which brings together pagan rituals and the Hogueras de San Juan (Bonfires of Saint John) with an open-air festival on the beach. For this year, Grupo Caracoles will begin the entertainment at 8:30 p.m. and the bonfires will be lit at 9:30 p.m. Grupo Tigaray will carry on the party from 10:30 p.m. Another stage will be set up on the esplanade of the Casa de la Aduana (Old Customs House) where the public will be able to enjoy a live performance by Arístides Moreno and the 101 Brass Band from 9:00 p.m.

Closing the festive circle, at 8 a.m. in the morning Friday, 24th June 2022, watch the baño de las cabras as 300+ goats get their annual, ritual bath in the waters of the old fishing port, one of the most identifying traditions in Puerto's history and also one of the oldest in the Canary Islands; a ritual of Guanche origin that was recovered at the beginning of the eighties and that the Department of Culture supports year after year with the celebration of multiple activities, not only on the beach but in the rest of the municipality.

Folklore, traditional games, examples of native sports will be the culmination of a few days in which identity and traditions take on more importance than ever and are reinforced from Puerto de la Cruz.

Puerto de la Cruz ensalza las tradiciones del 21 al 24 de junio en las fiestas de San Juan

After two years without celebrations, the coastal town of Tabaiba Baja will revive the festivities in honour of San Juan Bautista on Thursday, June 23. This year, in addition to the traditional sardinada and the popular floating bonfire, the cave located in front of the Charco de Tabaiba - Piscina Natural de Tabaiba (Natural Swimming Pool) is added as an altar for the Icon of Saint John the Baptist, a carving that a group of residents from the area have kept for years in the absence of an appropriate place where it could be exhibited.

This event, which can be described as historic, will be celebrated with a Eucharist and a small procession along the Avenida Marítima. The night of June 23 will be enlivened by radio Rumberos FM broadcasting live, the batucada and percussion of Mambisa and the Reve group. To end the night, there will be a fireworks display that this year will, for the first time, have a low noise impact.

From 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 23, the Eve of San Juan, the party will move to the Avenida Marítima and the Charco de Tabaiba with the religious celebration. At nightfall, around 9:00 p.m., events begin with a sardinada, the musical show by the Mambisa group and the traditional lighting of the floating bonfire by divers from the Diving Club El Pejín, scheduled for 11:00 p.m.

Both from the Tabaiba Festival Commission and from the El Rosario Council, emphasis is placed on the need to go to the area of ​​Avenida Marítima well in advance due to the nature of the streets of Tabaiba and its lack of parking and are asking people not to try to access the limited area in vehicles and to do so on foot from Avenida Marítima itself or by descending the stairs of Calle Bélgica.

Tabaiba volverá a disfrutar de la noche de San Juan tras dos años sin celebración

The night of San Juan is celebrated Thursday, June 23, with two large bonfires at two points along the municipality's coastline. The Council of Granadilla de Abona, through its Department of Culture and Festivals, has organized for this magical night the traditional lighting of the fogaleras (bonfires) and various musical performances.

This special day with which the summer solstice is celebrated, will have two bonfires that will be located on the central beach of Médano and on the large beach of Los Abrigos; any other bonfires in bathing areas are totally prohibited.

In El Médano, from 7:30 p.m., there will be parades with batucada and the Guajeiros and Kuliquitacas del Sur comparsas along the Picacho promenade, and there will be a performance, in the central square, by DJ Fabrizio, from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. As the final touch to the event, the groups 'Ni un Pelo de Tonto' and 'Los Lola' will go on stage. In Los Abrigos, starting at 9:00 p.m., the batucada ‘Guajeiros’ will perform next to the bonfire.

Also, from the Security area, from the night of June 23 to 24, the security device will be extended with the essential purpose of ensuring security and that the night takes place without incident. On the other hand, from the City Council, through the General Services area and the public company Sermugran, they send a message to the people who will meet on this special night, asking for greater involvement and environmental awareness to care for the environment and that, together, let's collaborate in the collection of waste and thus avoid the state in which the environment is left on other occasions.

Granadilla celebra la mágica noche de San Juan con dos hogueras y música en la costa

Design for the main carpet in the Town Hall Square in 2022

Thursday, 23 June 2022, is the Día de las Alfombras, (Day of the Corpus Christi Carpets) in La Orotava, with 35 flower carpets made in the streets, as well as the tapestry in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, made with sand from the Teide National Park, and this year, also with ashes from the La Palma volcano. In the Program of the Fiestas (PDF) there is a list and plan of the route.

The festivities will take place over 47 days, although the Big Week is from June 20 to 26, this year in which the traditional and popular festivals return after the pandemic.

La Orotava is ready to celebrate its patron saint festivities with more than a hundred events, culminating on June 27 with the Battle of Polkas, after the Romería in honour of San Isidro Labrador and Santa María de la Cabeza the day before.

The Big Week of the San Isidro Labrador festivities begins on Monday, June 20 with the traditional Recital of Los Sabandeños in the Plaza Franchy Alfaro, and continues on Tuesday, June 21 with the reading of the proclamation, this year by the journalist and director of the newspaper Diario de Avisos, Agustín M. González Martín, entitled "News and historical milestones of the Very Noble and Loyal Villa de La Orotava".

On Wednesday, June 22, the presentation of the 2021 Wine Harvest of the Valle de La Orotava Designation of Origin will take place on Avenida Mercedes Pinto.

The big day of the festivities in La Orotava is the 'Thursday of the Carpets', the day of the Infraoctave of Corpus Christi, one of the most significant days for the townsfolk (June 23). It starts at 7:00 a.m. with the ringing of bells, and the celebration of the Eucharist with the attendance of the carpet makers, to proceed later with the making of floral tapestries through the streets of the historic centre. Throughout the day thousands of people will visit the town, not only to enjoy the 35 flower carpets that will be made in the streets of the town, but also the great tapestry of the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, made with sand from the Teide National Park, and this year, with ashes from the La Palma volcano. At 6:30 p.m. the solemn Eucharist will be celebrated in which there will be ecclesiastical authorities such as the Auxiliary Bishop of Valladolid and General Secretary of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, Luis Javier Argüello García, and the Bishop of the Nivariense Diocese, Bernardo Álvarez Afonso. There will also be representatives of the Government of the Canary Islands, the Cabildo de Tenerife and various municipalities of Tenerife, who will also participate in the subsequent procession of the Blessed Sacrament along the carpeted route.

These popular events bring to end these emblematic festivities: The Baile de Magos (Country Dance), on Friday June 24; the cattle fair, the Subida de los Santos Patronos and the display of fireworks and the Son 21 concert; on Saturday June 25; and on Sunday, June 26, the great pilgrimage will take place in honor of San Isidro Labrador and Santa Maria de la Cabeza. This year, the final point of the Orotava festivities will be the celebration of the fourth edition of the Battle of Polkas, on Monday, June 27, more popular every year.

Fiestas Mayores de La Orotava

On Saturday, June 25, the popular and traditional Festivities Cattle Fair is celebrated in the La Orotava, in honor of the Patron Saints, San Isidro Labrador and Santa María de la Cabeza. In this edition, details the councillor for Agriculture and Livestock, Alexis Pacheco, there will be more than 1,200 head of cattle: a thousand goats and sheep, a hundred head of cattle, fifty horses and mules, as well as specimens of black pig and farmyard animals (hens and rabbits), as well as the La Orotava Farmer's Market. Among others, there will be stands of honey, artisanal cheeses, confectionery, traditional carpentry; embossing of metals; chiselling; leather goods; ceramics and pottery; basketry; puppets and dolls. In addition, there will be several exhibitions of hunting dogs and pigeons.

El recinto de Las Dehesas congrega este sábado más de 1.200 cabezas de ganado