Fiestas on Tenerife – Dia de la Trilla in El Tanque

With Nelson attacking Santa Cruz and the Spanish Air Force probably screaming across the skies above Puerto de la Cruz, there are a lot of events taking place this weekend. Personally I’m opting for something a bit more sedate in the hills above El Tanque at the Dia de la Trilla. This smallish fiesta is based around old fashioned farming methods like horses and oxen being used to thresh the wheat in eras (threshing circles).

It’s held in a stunningly beautiful location. Denims and cowboy hats are the favoured mode of fashion and if you’ve got teeth you must be posh.

And as for it being sedate, who am I kidding…have you ever been to a fiesta in the hills?

Dates: 24th July from 18.00 – 20.00 (The party usually really gets going after that – stay if you dare). 25th July from 11.00 – 14.00

Location: San José de Los Llanos, El Tanque

Nelson and Tenerife – The re-enactment of Nelson getting his butt kicked in Santa Cruz

Yup, it’s that time of year again when the Tinerfeños get to gloat about the time they defeated one of Britain’s most famous historical figures, Admiral Horatio Nelson.

On 25th July 1797, the good people of Santa Cruz saw off Nelson’s forces when they attempted to storm the city and they’ve been going on about it ever since (a bit like the English and the 1966 World Cup). But hey, who can blame them, it was an impressive result.

Celebrations aren’t as lavish this year, but this Friday you can still time travel back to Santa Cruz’ glory days and watch troops in period costume defend the city all over again.

Time: From 19.30

Location: Santa Cruz – starting from Plaza Weyler and ending in the Noria district.

The Guanches and the Sea – Exhibitions on Tenerife

Anyone who’s interested in the history of Tenerife, especially in the guys and gals in their fur Speedos and bikinis that lived on Tenerife prior to the conquest, will find the new exhibition at the Museum of Man and Nature fascinating.
“Los guanches y el mar. La pesca en el mundo antiguo” explores the relationship between the Guanches and the sea and fishing in particular and asks questions about the mysterious origins of the enigmatic aborigines.

If you’ve never been to the museum, it’s located in a beautiful building in the capital and is definitely worth a visit.

Location: El Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre (the Museum of Man and Nature), Santa Cruz

Dates: Until 28th June

Fiestas on Tenerife – Beñesmen 09; Go Guanche in San Juan de la Rambla

This is a brand new fiesta (cos, let’s face it, we don’t really have enough in the north yet; there are still a few days left when people actually have to work. Not that I’m complaining; I love them), so I don’t know what to expect, but it sounds as though it could be interesting and fun.

Instead of the traditional Romería, with Beñesmen 09, the Ayuntamiento in San Juan de la Rambla are going for a Guanche themed fiesta.

Events are going to be based on the life and customs of Tenerife’s indigenous people. There’s going to be the election of a fiesta king and queen, but this time it’s called the election of the Mencey and Beñesmer. Other Guanche goings on include the re-enactment of the appearance of the Virgen de Candelaria, a bit of fighting, traditional Guanche sports; mummification, a sacrifice of a man and a woman (okay I may have mistranslated that, but I’m definitely going, just in case) and lots of goats and Guanche food (don’t expect cordon bleu sophistication - this is a primitive race we’re talking about) before the party gets spoiled by the arrival of the conquistadors and the Catholic Church (boo hiss).

Could be something different.

Location: San Juan de la Rambla

Date: 9th May

Times: From 15.30 to 21.00. Events start at the Lavaderos de La Vera and move to their conclusion at the Recinto Ferial de Los Canarios

Adios Franco – the demolition of Tenerife’s history

It’s hidden away in the depths of the pine forest and it’s covered in graffiti; however, Franco’s monolith near the Las Raíces zona recreativa is an important part of Tenerife’s history.
The monument marks the spot where Army Officers met in June 1936 to pledge their support to the ‘Generalisimo’ prior to the start of the Spanish civil war.

But if you want to see it, you’d better get your skates on as the Island’s Government has just voted to get rid of it.

Personally, I don’t agree with the ‘retirement’ of historic monuments – it’s akin to sweeping the bits of your past which you don’t like under the carpet. At least the government is planning to replace it with another monument. The difference with the proposed new one is that it will be dedicated to all those who lost their lives in the conflict irrespective of who they supported.