Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2014 – Spain

The Canary Islands Carnival is almost as famous as the one in Rio de Janerio. Takes 3 weeks and thanks to street parades it attracts crowds of tourists. Fabulous outfits, costume parades and loud Latin American music – this is what the Santa Cruz Carnival looks like. During the carnival, we can watch the performances of artists, dancers, a ride on decorated platforms with scantily dressed dancers and numerous concerts and performances of street theaters.

Joyful singing, the election of the Queen of the Carnival, street dances performed by islanders mixed with tourists eager to entertain. Fireworks at night. This is what the grand carnival in the Canary Islands looks like in short.

On the last day of the carnival, the Burial of the Sardine takes place, and this day can be compared to what remains in Polish tradition.

Carnival in Tenerife is a celebration full of joy and color in which everyone can participate. By 3 weeks, every day from afternoon until dawn, you can count on great fun dancing and singing.

The tradition of celebrating carnival has for years been condemned by the Church for emphasizing the carnival, however, despite the restrictions, the islanders circumvented it. The breakthrough came only in 1976. when the island carnival returned as a colorful and joyful celebration. The carnival on each of the islands is slightly different, tinged with local folklore.

To make the carnival fun spectacular, Canarians prepare for it all year round. Rich companies such as. banks hire designers and specialized tailor's workshops. Right after the carnival ends, preparations for the next one begin.

Not only large companies are preparing for the carnival, ordinary Canarians also take the preparations very seriously. They prepare the costumes for the next carnival well in advance, they usually refer to characters from the movies, fairy tales or political life.

Each year the main theme of the carnival is different and the costumes are designed with this in mind. This year's Santa Cruz theme is fairy-tale characters.

The most anticipated event is the election of the Carnival Queen. The event attracts thousands of people and is broadcast live on TV. The competition for the Queen of the Carnival is more like choosing the most beautiful outfit and is slightly different from the Miss Carnival contest..

Most events are free of charge. Only the choice of the Carnival Queen and the Drag Queen are payable (the cost is approx. 10 euro). However, you do not necessarily have to buy tickets because you can see them on TV on large screens and in all bars and pubs.

During the carnival, colorful parades with the participation of thousands of dancers pass through the streets of the city, who show off their intricately sewn outfits. Of course, one of the main attractions is participation in the parades of the Queen of Carnival and her competitors and admiring their costumes, and the participation of Drag Queen.

There are colorfully decorated platforms accompanying dancers in bikini costumes, bizarre vehicles, and also Las Murgas, who sing their satirical songs on social issues, The comparsas – local dance groups and typical Tenerife male or mixed vocal groups Las Rondallas.

The parades and processions end at approx 24, but the fun in the streets continues. Then all discos and pubs in the Canary Islands experience a siege.

At the end of the carnival, on Ash Wednesday, a spectacular event takes place under the name “funeral of sardines”, when a wooden mock-up of this fish symbolizing winter is burned on the beach. This event ends the most loud dance and music festival, heralding the end of winter and the approaching joyful spring, which in this climate is not really noticeable.

This year already 31 The celebration in Santa Cruz begins in January and will last until 9 brand. Below you will find the program of this year's carnival.

Friday, 31 January

20:30 – Presentation of candidates

black castle

Thursday, 06 February

19:00 – The first stage of the Murgas children's competition