The Magic of Tenerife - issue #9 August 1st, 2011
Hi
This is your genial webmaster John with the latest Tenerife Information Centre Newsletter!
In this month's issue, we'll be taking a look at:
- The Fiesta de la Virgen de Candelaria - The Romeria de San Roque - Los Cristianos Beach Music Festival - Website new pages and updates since last newsletter
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Fiesta de la Virgen de Candelaria
This "Festival of the Virgin of Candelaria" is considered to be the most important religious festival not only in Tenerife, but the whole of the Canary Islands. The Virgin of Candelaria is the patron saint of the Canaries and her day does not pass without great celebration.
Although there are events happening during the days leading up to it, the main event takes place over the weekend of August the 14th and 15th. For this celebration, many devotees will have made the pilgrimage, some over long distances, to reach the town of Candelaria.
On the Saturday afternoon, the main part of the fiesta begins. At around 4pm, there is a procession, beginning from Punta Larga and ending in the Plaza de La Patrona de Canarias. There are floral offerings made to the Virgin and much celebration.
At around 8pm, there is a re-enactment of how the Guanches found the original statue of the Virgin. Full details of this legend can be found on this page of my site.
Then there are more processions and the obligatory firework display. A midnight mass is held, followed by traditional folk music and dancing in the square.
On the following day (Sunday), things take a more solemn turn. This is the Feast of the Assumption and another mass is held, this time attended by church leaders and other notable people from public office and the armed forces. Last year (2010), King Juan Carlos was in attendance.
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Romeria de San Roque
Meaning simply "pilgrimage of San Roque", this celebration is in honour of the saint who is reputed to have saved the town of Garachico from the plague, many centuries ago and, therefore, takes place in this town.
Occuring on August 16th, it has been declared an "event of national interest to tourism" and, as such, attracts many people from all over the island, be they residents or tourists.
On the morning of the event, a statue of San Roque is carried in a procession from the San Roque Hermitage to the main Garachico church of Santa Ana. This is followed, at midday, by a religious service in the church.
One hour later, the return procession takes place as San Roque is transported back to the Hermitage. There are carts pulled by cattle, laden with food and wine, which are handed out to bystanders and the whole thing is accompanied by music and dancing and people in traditional dress. Local fishermen even join in, with a flotilla of boats following the procession just offshore.
If you can make it to this Romeria, you won't regret it.
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Los Cristianos Beach Music Festival
For many years, Las Vistas Beach was the venue for the Son Latino music festival, held during the summer. Eventually, the yearly event was cancelled, the main reason given being that people and organisations opposed to it objected to the rubbish left by the concert-goers and the damage to the beach.
For many lovers of Latin music, however, the spectacular was sorely missed. But now, there is new hope. A production company is proposing a new venture, to take the place of the famous Son Latino one.
Called Tenerife Mar de Músicas, it will be an extravaganza featuring artists not only from Latin countries, but elsewhere in Europe and Africa too.
At the time of writing, it's still not known if the council has given it the go-ahead, but if it does, it'll take place on the last weekend in August, lasting some 10 hours!
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Tenerife Information Centre New Pages and Updates Since Last Newsletter
New Pages
Updated Pages
Posted Questions
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