LOCAL FIESTAS
EASTER WEEK
Serenity, fervour, devoutness and tradition are the characteristics of the Easter week events. The programme of worship and processions opens with a proclamation, followed by different services and processions in honour of San Lázaro, Cristo del Rescate, Cristo de Burgos, La Dolorosa, a solemn palm leaf procession, Cristo de los Caídos, Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Sentencia, Señor del Huerto, Insignias de la Pasión, Señor de la Columna, Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, Señor de Cañita, Señor de la Humildad y Paciencia, Santos Varones, María Magdalena, Santa Cena, Santísimo Cristo de la Laguna, Lignum Crucis, La Piedad, Santo Entierro and the Procession of Silence.
NUESTRA SEÑORA DEL ROSARIO
First half of October. Valle de Guerra (La Laguna).
In the procession, a group of local young people in uniform accompany the Virgin.
Both before and after the fireworks display, the traditional enactment of the "meeting of the boat and the castle ("encuentro del barco y el castillo") takes place, commonly called "la librea". This commemorates the Battle of Lepanto. The main features of the play are a Moorish castle, with a captain and his faithful warriors, and a boat bearing the standard of La Virgen del Rosario, with a captain and crew aboard.
A striking feature of the fiestas are the brotherhoods that accompany the processions through the streets and the "Malagueñas" (gospel choirs) that sing to El Cristo de la Laguna on the eve of Good Friday.
FIESTAS OF EL CRISTO DEL CALVARIO
During the days leading up to the fiesta, tribute is paid to the Canary Islanders that have had to emigrate. The dance of the "libreas", devils and big heads is held to tajaraste music on the eve of the fiesta. The great day starts with the tolling of bells. El Cristo is brought out of the church and is paraded through the streets.
The fiesta ends with a firework display and a street party.
FIESTAS OF SAN BARTOLOME
These fiestas are held in Tejina in August.
There are two striking rituals; in the first, the three districts of the town secretly make their hearts. These are then "put up" in the main square, in the midst of music and festivities.
These hearts are made of wood or iron, bamboo, ash branches, fruit and cakes. The second ritual is when an effigy is burned on a bonfire, in the final days of the fiesta. The programme of events is rounded off with recreational activities, sports, cultural events and dances.
The firework display is well worth seeing.
FIESTAS OF SAN ANDRÉS
During the fiestas people get out their "tablas", or boards, for a ride. This is a unique tradition in the Canary Islands, consisting of hurtling down the steep streets on a greased heartwood board. Large boards and small carry one or more people. The night before the fiesta, the new wine is baptised. Family vineyards are open for friends and visitors to try the wine.
The baptism is accompanied by typical Canary Island songs, including "isas", "folias" and "malagueñas".
THE FIESTAS OF SANTA BÁRBARA
The fiestas start with many decorated vehicles going out in search of the branch..
The streets are bedecked with branches and a hand-made arch is built on the main facade of the church and prizes are awarded for the best decorated private houses.
On the eve of the main day, there is a floral tribute accompanied by trumpets and drums. Shortly afterwards, the lady suppliers make their traditional offering of cakes and pastries, with all kinds of cakes and baskets on display, all to the accompaniment of a folklore group. The main day of the fiestas is when members of the Artillery come to town to pay tribute to their Patron Saint in a mass also attended by all the local authorities. The rosary is said in the evening and the figure of Santa Barbara is taken out in a procession, with fireworks being let off all along the route. The fiestas end with the flag being handed over to next year's fiestas committee, before the final street festivities are held.
FIESTAS OF EL GRAN PODER
AND LA VIRGEN DEL CARMEN
Whilst the procession of El Gran Poder is parading through the more stately streets of Puerto de la Cruz, to the military rhythm of trumpets and drums, the El Carmen procession follows the streets of the fishermen. La Virgen del Carmen is taken out of the church of La Peña de Francia and carried in procession, along with San Telmo, in the midst of compliments and songs that the fishermen dedicate to her. Before the figures go on board a fishing vessel, a flock of doves are released. In the end there is a grand fireworks display on the fishing pier.The figures of the Saints are then taken back to their mother church.
FIESTAS OF EL SOL, OR SAN JUAN
These fiestas are held on the fishing docks, among crowds of locals and tourists.
Everyone sets up camp on the Playa del Charcón and the Playa del Muelle, waiting for the sun to come up, in order to witness the famous "baño de las cabras" (goat dip) which is held on the eve of San Juan every year, in memory of an aboriginal fiesta held by the Guanches to celebrate the summer solstice. Goat herds offer cheese and milk to all and sundry, many take a dip and everyone sees in San Juan's day with dancing.
FIESTAS OF SAN ANDRES
This fiesta is commonly called "La Fiesta del Cacharro" (pots) or "La Castaña" (chestnut). On the evening of the 30th, young people and tourists gather in Plaza del Charco to throw hundreds of pots and pans, and other old objects, around. They bang them on the ground, making quite a din as they move along the adjacent streets. The "Castañada" (chestnut feast) is held in the square itself, with the chance to try many typical products of the island, like chestnuts, wreckfish, toasted corn flour, sweet potato, wine, etc.
CARNIVAL
The carnival has been declared of international tourist interest, being one of the longest-standing carnivals of the island. Even during the time when the fiesta was banned, it has always managed to find a place in the hearts of the people of Puerto de la Cruz, they even camouflaged the carnival under the name of "winter fiestas" in order not to miss it. The burial of the sardine, held on Ash Wednesday, and the Grand Carnival Parade, on the following Saturday, are quite spectacular, with the participation of many individuals, groups, floats, comparsas, murgas (carnival music groups) and several delegations from the carnivals of other countries, including Dusseldorf, which has been taking part in the carnival of Puerto de la Cruz for over twenty five years.
FOUNDATIONAL FIESTAS
Fiestas to celebrate the foundation of the city are held on the 3rd of May, with a solemn mass followed by a procession, with La Cruz de Plata (Co-Patron Saint of the town, along with La Virgen de Nuestra Señora de la Peña de Francia) in the midst of spectacular and deafening fireworks all along the processional route. Traditionally, the people spend the afternoon visiting the many chapels devoted to Santa Cruz, of which there are more than thirty in Puerto de la Cruz, to admire the floral decorations that will remain on display throughout the year.
THEE JUDAS BONFIRE.
Taganana
The effigy of Judas is made of straw, branches and cords made from banana plants, all on a frame of poles covered with old clothes and accessories. Everything is done in strict silence. The effigy is made by the men, who then parade it through the streets all night. They are accompanied by musical groups playing guitars, lutes, timples (a small, 5-string guitar), triangles, etc. At mid-day on Sunday, the effigy is put to the torch near the church.
Whilst the bonfires and the effigies burn, and fireworks are let off, the whole town celebrates with wine and rum, thus bringing the Easter week festivities to an end.
NUESTRA SEÑORA DEL CARMEN
This fiesta is held on the Sunday closest to the 16th of July in Santa Cruz, followed by Playa San Juan, the first Sunday in August, and Playa de Alcalá, which, unlike the other towns, worships La Virgen de Candelaria.
The same rituals take place in all three places. The Virgin, preceded by a ribbon dance, is taken from her church to the beach, where boats and launches, decorated with coloured flags, await. The Virgin is taken by fishermen on board a boat that has been chosen for the honour of carrying the Virgin in a lottery. The dancers, the standard, mystics and the priest all accompany the Virgin. The boats' sirens and the instruments of the musicians are heard without pause, throughout the procession.
After the sea voyage, the Virgin returns to the shore, where she is placed on an altar in the bay. After a fireworks display, she is taken back to the church.
SAN MARCOS POPULAR PILGRIMAGE
The Pilgrimage of Tegueste, in honour of San Marcos, is also a tribute to the floklore and traditions of the Islands. The festivities start by choosing the "Romera Mayor", a sort of carnival queen. The proclamation of the fiestas comes after several bouts of Canary Island wrestling, athletics and basketball matches, etc.
The popular pilgrimage itself is what makes these somewhat profane fiestas striking. It is a procession of floats decorated with the natural produce of the countryside, carts, folklore groups from all the Islands, flocks of livestock, yoked oxen, dancers, etc. all accompanied by crowds of people in traditional dress.
After the pilgrimage, the livestock is blessed and an offering is made to San Marcos, consisting of an assortment of farm produce. The next day, the Fiestas Committee hold a potato bake with all the local population. The final act of the fiestas is a bonfire to burn an effigy. The rag doll is made from straw and old clothes, representing a public figure, which is burned amid the shouts, criticism and insults of the public. This bonfire is a ritual manner of returning to the routine of everyday life.
FIESTAS OF LA CRUZ
The Fiesta of La Cruz has been held for almost three hundred years.
The programme of events takes place mainly in Calle del Medio and Called del Sol.
The Fiestas start with a fireworks display considered one of the biggest in the Canary Islands. The fireworks, paid for by residents of different streets, come from two manufacturers: Hermanos Toste and Santa Barbara. The rivalry between the two is the driving force behind the offering the local population make to La Cruz, without any kind of official subsidies.
On the evening of the 3rd of May, Los Realejos is always full of visitors from different parts of the Island that flock here to watch the fireworks display that lights up the procession of La Cruz along the two streets. The fire, smoke and explosions are never-ending. Floral carpets are made to decorate the altars of all the chapels of the two main streets. There are also recreational, cultural and sporting events, a potato bake in every street and the "battle of the flowers" with decorated cars roaming the streets.
FIESTAS OF SAN PEDRO
The two different districts that make up Gúimar alternate in organising the Fiesta of San Pedro; in even years, it is organised by San Pedro de Arriba and, in odd years, it is organised by San Pedro de Abajo.
The town starts preparing the fiestas on the 20th of June. A group of residents places three feathers, one on the church tower, one half way along the processional route and the third in the church. From now on, the church bells play tajaraste music, the peals of San Pedro as they are known, at nine o'clock in the morning, at mid-day and again in the evening.
On the night of the 27th, San Pedro is taken out of the church in procession to the other, smaller church. The figure of the Saint returns that night, along the same street, but decorated with arches made from branches. The local population burn fire wheels as they make their vows. There is a whole range of religious, cultural and sporting activities held on the 29th, organised by the fiestas committee of each street, or by the town council.
POPULAR PILGRIMAGE TO
NUESTRA SEÑORA DEL SOCORRO
This is the oldest festivity of the borough, first held more than one hundred years ago. The pilgrimage takes place on the night of the 6th of September, after the "Holy Mass of the Pilgrims", which sets out from the church of San Pedro, in Güimar, to the church of El Socorro, in the hamlet of the same name. Pilgrims, carts, the municipal band playing "Al Socorro" and the members of the brotherhood that accompany the Virgin, all gather outside the church.
The ceremony representing the appearance of the figure on the beaches of Chimisay, is held in El Socorro, around 5 o'clock in the afternoon of the 7th. On the 8th, in the afternoon, the Virgin is taken to the church of San Pedro. The traditional game of "odds or evens" starts around La Asomada, during the procession.
SAN ANTONIO DE PADUA
A great parade of decorated floats from all over town, along with musical groups, folklore groups and pilgrims, all go to make up this pilgrimage, held every year on the 13th of June. There are two kinds of events: religious services and popular festivities. The former include the procession of San Antonio, masses, in which the population make requests for both the living and the dead, and a fireworks display in tribute to the Saint. The latter events include a fine folklore festival, an art festival and sporting events organised by the town council and the Fiestas Committee.
FIESTAS OF NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LA ESPERANZA
The programme of festivities includes in recent years, Craft, Wine and Cheese Fairs and a Book Promotion Campaign, organised by the town council and sponsored by the Island Cabildo (Govenment).
The pilgrimage is held on the first Sunday of August, attracting many people from all around. The festivities are rounded off with leisure and cultural activities of all kinds and for people of all ages. The procession of the Virgin and the fireworks display are also interesting.
FIESTAS OF SAN ANTONIO
The programme of events includes livestock fairs, folklore shows, typical dances in traditional countryside costume, street parties and pilgrimages. People come from all around these towns to pay tribute to San Antonio. Offerings are made of animals and, in Arona, three ears of wheat per farmhand. After mass, the figure of the Saint is taken out of the church and paraded in procession, or pilgrimage (La Orotava, Buenavista, Arona). After the procession, the livestock is blessed and prizes are awarded for the best animals.
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
The night of San Juan is famous for being a special night for witchcraft and for the spectacular bonfires that are built in the streets from old bits and pieces.
Many are crowned with an effigy called Juan, Juana or San Juanito.
In San Juan de la Rambla and Garachico bangers are let off and the people throw fireballs made from sacking and sawdust, doused with petrol. In Icod, the hill is linked to the square with string and fireballs are slid down them. Here, they light "hachitos de San Juan". While "carozos" (old corn cobs) doused in diesel fuel light up the countryside, the "hachitos" (wooden standards covered with chicken wire and decorated with leaves from different trees, figures made from flowers and burning pots.) start arriving in the square, carried by men and children. There is a jury to choose the best "hachito". Sometimes the women burn brambles and light bonfires.
They still conserve the custom of dancing the tajaraste on the night of San Juan, both as a "normal" dance and also the seated version.
SANTIAGO DEL TEIDE
Fiestas in honour of the Patron Saint are held, throughout the summer, in each of the districts that make up the borough of Santiago del Teide Puerto de Santiago: Second half of July.
Including a sea-going procession and fireworks in honour of La Virgen del Carmen.
Tamaimo: Festival of Santa Ana. Second half of July.
Arguayo: Festival of La Virgen de Candelaria. Second half of August.
Religious processions, cultural and sporting activities.
Santiago del Teide: Fiesta of Santiago Apóstol, Patron Saint of Spain. Religious ceremonies with leisure and sporting activities.
In Valle de Arriba, there is a pilgrimage (1st week in May) to the Chinyero volcano, in memory of the miracle that occurred when it erupted and the lava flows halted when the village brought out the figure of El Cristo de Santiago del Teide.
In Acantilados de los Gigantes, there is a carnival held after the Santa Cruz carnival finishes, with murgas, comparsas (carnival music and dance groups) and fancy dress competitions.
In Tamaimo and Santiago del Teide, Christmas is traditionally celebrated with a living nativity scene, which is renewed generation after generation.
FIESTAS OF SAN SEBASTIAN
Many people from Vilaflor, Arona and Granadilla come to the fiestas that have been held for more than two centuries. Animals are offered to the Saint for his blessing, and the figure of the Saint is taken in pilgrimage from his church, down to the sea in a request for help. There are two significant rituals. After leaning the Saint out over the sea three times, the water is blessed. The faithful cross themselves and wet their animals with the blessed water. Back at the church, some people, not satisfied with the requests they have made, start insulting the Saint. Once the pilgrimage is over, everyone gets together to drink wine and eat boiled potatoes and salted fish in oil and vinegar.
FIESTA OF LA VIRGEN DE CANDELARIA
The fiestas of Villa de Candelaria are rich in religion and popular fervour, closely linked to five centuries of faith, belief and love for the Virgin. On the day of the festivities, many people come from all over the Island to pay tribute to their Patron Saint. Many people spend the night before on the roads that lead to Candelaria. This fiesta, closely related to the aboriginal world, re-enacts the traditional appearance of the Virgin, in Plaza de la Basilica, on the 14th of August. The procession, which takes place the same day, is a time of great devotion and religious fervour. It goes to a place known as Pozo del Virgen, where it rests while a fireworks display is put on by the town council and the Fishermen's Guild.
On the 15th of August, Ascension Day, a solemn mass is held, attended by ecclesiastic, military and civil authorities. At mid-day, there is a procession and in the afternoon, the traditional floral offering or Virgin's Pilgrimage, with folklore groups taking part.
FIESTA OF LA VIRGEN DEL CARMEN
Santa Cruz celebrates its fiestas on the closest Sunday to the 16th of July, followed by Playa San Juan, on the first Sunday in August and Playa de Alcalá, which, unlike the other two, worships La Virgen de Candelaria.
The same rituals take place in all three places. The Virgin, preceded by a ribbon dance, is taken from her church down to the beach, where boats and launches await her. Fishermen take her aboard the lucky boat that has been drawn to carry her in the procession. She is accompanied by the dancers, standard, mystics and the priest.
The boats' sirens and the instruments of the musicians can be heard constantly during the procession. The Virgin is then brought back ashore and placed on an altar in the bay. She is taken back to the church after a fireworks display.
FIESTAS OF EL BAILE DEL NIÑO
On Christmas Eve, after midnight mass, the "Baile del Niño" (the dance of the child) takes place. Groups of eight in the Santa Cruz district of Taganana, and of twenty two in La Matanza, made up of young people in traditional costume, dressed as shepherds, or with a white shirt, black trousers and a red sash, dance along in the procession, before the newly born child in the church.
They dance to the music of drums, flutes, tambourines and castanets, singing and dancing to the rhythm of the tajaraste.
The Day of San Salvador, Patron Saint of the borough, is celebrated on the 6th of August, as part of the towns' festivals.
Another important fiesta is San Antonio Abad, on the 17th of January and the following three Sundays, with the traditional Octava Ganadera.
FIESTA OF LA VIRGEN DE FATIMA.
The most characteristic feature of this pilgrimage is its length. The people of the town take the figure of the Virgin to a hill known as La Centinela, where the Fiestas Committee offers a potato bake to all and sundry. The procession is made up of lorries decorated with palm fronds.
