Planning to enjoy Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife? Here thecomplete guide for 2022!
What is Carnival, and Why is it Celebrated?
Carnival is a festival that celebrates the beginning of Lent, followed by 40 days of fasting. The celebration of the carnival has been for centuries, and it was initially intended to prepare people for Lent. In some countries, the carnival is also called “Mardi Gras.” The celebration is an annual festive period, before and during which time there are many organized events and social gatherings, usually pleasant in nature. Although carnival has traditionally been primarily celebrated in Western cultures, the concept is present throughout much of the world. In some countries, Carnival is celebrated over the entire Christian calendar year.
What happens during the event?
Santa Cruz is a city in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. There are many opportunities to enjoy the culture and traditions of this event. The event starts with a parade that goes through the streets of Santa Cruz. The procession comprises different groups and people wearing costumes and playing instruments. The traditional Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife event starts on Saturday morning with a parade that goes through the streets of the downtown. The first parade of the year is on February 2nd and the last one on April 3rd. The carnival also includes live music, food, games, and rides. They often have themes that represent different aspects of life in Santa Cruz.
The procession is the event at which residents of Santa Cruz honor the Virgen de la Candelaria or Virgin of the Candle. The parade starts at Plaza de España and ends at the port where the ships depart for Tenerife’s other islands. The Virgen de la Candelaria is the patron saint of Santa Cruz, Tenerife. She was brought to the Canary Islands by Spanish conquerors, and she was said to have been seen on a black stone in Santa Cruz shortly after she arrived.
The date for celebrating this saint’s festival is February 3rd which coincides with Candlemas. In 1927, the Canary Islands were divided into two provinces: Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palma de Gran Canaria. In 1532, Bishop Juan de Zumárraga of Mexico City commissioned a church in the Americas. He took seven black stones carved with crucifixes as part of this order on his return journey to Spain. One has been found in a shrine in northern Mexico, and the others have been lost.
The Unique Facts About the Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is an event that the Canary Islands celebrates every year. It started in 1891, and it is still celebrated nowadays. This festival has its own peculiarities, like using a “Caballo” (a wooden horse), which has been the event’s symbol since its inception. The parade passes through the different streets of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where there are many celebrations and acts that make this event unique. It is vital to report that this extravaganza has its roots in pagan times when the “Caballo” symbolized fertility and good fortune. In relation to the other festivals in the Canary Islands, this is one of the most important and oldest.
The Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is celebrated on Sundays and Thursdays, with a different theme each day, until the last one on Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. For example, the last Tuesday’s theme is called “La Mascarada,” and it’s all about disguises. It usually starts at 6 pm with various performances by well-known artists, such as singers or dancers, and carnival groups from other towns or cities in Spain or even abroad.
The Interesting Part – What to Expect from the Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
If you are looking for a place to enjoy Carnival, Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the perfect destination. This city has a long tradition of this festival, and it is considered one of the most important in Spain. The Santa Cruz de Tenerife parade has been in existence since the 18th century. It was created by sailors who returned from their voyages and were happy to be home again. Nowadays, the Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is famous all over Europe and attracts many tourists every year.
The typical food and drinks at the carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife are interesting. The food is often served with a lot of garlic, a standard ingredient for most dishes. You will experience the best food and drinks during the carnival, where you will taste and enjoy some of the finest cuisines.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the largest carnival in Spain, and the typical food there is quite interesting. The most favored dish on the island is called “Papas arrugadas con huevos duro,” which translates to “Potatoes with hard-boiled eggs.” Aside from this dish, many other typical foods include: “Garbanzos con tomate,” which is beans with tomato, “Pisto manchego,” which is a Spanish stew, and “Churaqueñas” or “Cheesecake.
The typical drinks at Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife also have their own flavor. In this region, they usually drink wine or beer with lemonade and cola mixed in it.
