Carnaval in Tenerife 2014

[Janet]

It's not even Christmas yet, but 2014′s Carnaval – the theme is "Cartoons" – is under starter's orders with the publication of the provisional programme. The Tenerife capital's carnival isn't just the largest in Tenerife, it is widely considered to be the second largest in the world, with only the world-famous Rio de Janeiro Carnaval bigger. Events take place over a month, with almost everything seeming to come to a standstill when trying to get anything done in Tenerife!

One of the most keenly anticipated events, or series of events, is the murga competitions – a sort of combination of farce, satire and music (involving a type of kazoo) with outlandish costume and group singing. They are phenomenally popular and there is saturation television coverage of all the stages and groups taking part. I've posted videos in previous years of them, e.g. HERE. Perhaps most famous to outsiders, however, are the main parade, and the choice of carnival queen, and next year's carnival will inevitably take place under the shadow of the terrifying experience of Saida Prieto, whose carnival queen gown was set alight in February by indoor fireworks from another contestant's dress (link): the legal arguments and compensation issues are still ongoing, and it seems the emotional scars will understandably take much longer to heal than the physical ones.

The provisional programme for Carnaval 2014, with events lasting from 31 January to 9 March, can be viewed courtesy of Tinerguía HERE (there seems to be a virus affecting the carnival wesite itself at present). Two other Carnavals of great local interest are held in Los Cristianos and Puerto de la Cruz, and there will be more information on them in due course. JA

[Janet]

The Santa Cruz carnaval now has its queen. Amanda Perdomo, with her fantasy Poderosa amazona (Mighty Amazon), designed by Daniel Pagés. Runner up was Rocío Benítez Pérez, wearing Mi gran noche, and in third place came Yolanda Mendoza in La esencia de Santa Cruz, also designed by Daniel. The gala for the election of the carnival queen took place in the Recinto Ferial with music, murgas, dance, and colour, all tuned to the overall theme for this year's carnival, Cartoons.

The carnival, now an official Fiesta de Interés Turístico Internacional, now moves out onto the capital's streets with the Cabalgata Anunciadora tomorrow, starting what will no doubt again be a loud and sleepless few nights for the capital! The main parade, the Coso Apoteosis, will be on Tuesday, 4 March, and again, thousands are likely to be there to share in what is recognized as the world's second largest carnival after Rio de Janeiro. The bizarre ceremony of the Entierro de la Sardina (burial of the sardine) which heralds Lent will take place the next day, Wednesday 5th. The full programme with all other events is in the original post. JA

[poker]

Every year we have a shool carnaval parade with the children tru Las Galettas on the last friday before the holiday  .

This year as normal they made the costumes ( parents payed 6 € for materials) .
Today our kid came home with a letter from the ayumento that the parade in Galettas is scraped yust to have carnaval in the school a bit during the recreo at noon .

Think a lot of peaple wont be happy , we also were prepairing to have a look as we did the last 5 years with our son .
Some peaple even took a day of to come .
And wy still pay the 6€ for the costumes that arent going to be used .
Also it was a good day for the busineses in Galettas as a lot of peaple where in the streats and went to the shops , had coffee after . . . .

[Myrtle Hogan-Lance]

Poker, that is a really damned shame.  Kids must be disappointed. 

[poker]

Yes dissapointment for kids and lots of parents also who eatch year came for the parade  that was done for years .
And in the whole brought more money to Galettas than costs as all the parents came to the parade and the shops and cafe`s where very bussy then .
Even the tourists liked it every year to see the childrens carnaval parade in the city .

[Janet]

never bloody ending ...

Just a reminder that the Los Cristianos carnival starts tomorrow, and lasts until the end of March. The programme of events is HERE. The authorities say that parking will be difficult ... they want people to come to the town to support the carnival and local businesses, but ask drivers to park in El Mojón or Las Américas.

Yeah right, we'll help you and work even harder to do so without requiring any effort on your part ...

JA

[El Profesor]

Today our kid came home with a letter from the ayumento that the parade in Galettas is scraped yust to have carnaval in the school a bit during the recreo at noon .

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Something up there. La Banda Municipal were to do a concert in Las Galletas on Saturday. . . . . . cancelled.
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Just a reminder that the Los Cristianos carnival starts tomorrow,

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Not carnival, not even similar. Quite a pathetic waste of time and parking space. Gives the real Carnival a bad name.

[Janet]

Las Chafiras carnaval this weekend ...