Tenerife|Life&Style|Festivals|Canary Islands

Life & Style in Tenerife

Architecture

As in other Canarian Islands, Tenerife architecture guidelines stand close to the state mansions and more modest houses and popular. This type of architecture in Tenerife has notable influences from Andalusia and Portugal, and has, despite a strong personality. These buildings are characterized by their typical balconies and the presence of interior courtyards.

Wood, especially the tea (pine), takes a leading role in these constructions. These houses have facades not overly complex with little ornamentation.

It´s common the large wooden balconies and the use of shutters. The interior courtyards were used as true gardens and to provide light to the rooms. These communicate with the courtyards by topped stone, and wood galleries. These communicate with the court by galleries frequently topped stone and wood. Gadgets such as distillers, water pumps, banks and big tables are elements that often form part of these courtyards.

Arts & Crafts. Tenerife

Pottery, Ironwork, basketry, musical instruments, wood.

Also in Tenerife stands woodwork. The north of Tenerife has provided several history "professors" of the kind who have contributed with items ranging from balconies, shutters, doors and windows to original articles of furniture loaded in fine wood. Basketwork is also important in Tenerife where artisans craft work from palm leaves and sticks to the brown banana fiber, known as the sheepskin industry, which carries a similarly diverse and heterogeneous production.

It exists, as elsewhere in the Canary Islands, a tradition of pottery and craftsmanship. The use of clay pottery comes from the original held by the Guanches, who were unaware and did not use the lathe. Island potters work the clay with his hands, which prints a great authenticity to his works. Among the items made include those for the domestic utility, grills, Ganigan ..., or merely ornamental and personal adornment: beads or necklaces are famous, a symbol of Canarian Aboriginal iconography. The masonry, or stone work can be reflected in the facades of new construction and decorative pieces. You can also admire the interiors of the churches of the villages in Tenerife and civilian buildings.

Carnaval de Tenerife. Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Not in vain it was declared Fiesta of International Tourist Interest, is held in multiple locations in the north and south of the island of Tenerife, but is in Santa Cruz de Tenerife where it has greater scope.

Queen of the Carnival Election

Carnaval de Tenerife

The Wednesday before the weekend is chosen the Carnival Queen. During the gala, the candidates parade in the main stage. A jury composed of members of the municipal corporation and celebrities will be in charge of choosing the queen.

Friday: The Announcing Procession

On Friday a Procession takes place, in which all groups of the carnival parade through the main thoroughfares of the city "announcing" the arrival of the carnival. Start at the Parque de la Granja, to conclude at the Plaza de España. Crossing the Ramblas, Avenida Islas Canarias, Plaza Weyler and Calle Méndez Núñez to return to Las Ramblas and then turn onto Avenida Anaga and end at the Plaza de Europa or the rear façade of the Cabildo de Tenerife. The Queen and the bridesmaids use their own carriage, escorted by the troupes. Murgas and street musicians are scattered throughout the party. The private carriages are also participating in the parade. In total, more than 4 hours to the rhythm of drummers and other Latin rhythms. At the end, well into the night, the festival officially begins on the street.

Saturday Carnival

Sabado de Carnaval

On the Saturday of Carnival is a day dedicated entirely to dance. There are two main scenarios: one in the Plaza de la Candelaria (replacing the Plaza de España after the remodeling of it), and one in the Plaza del Principe. Depending on the "fiesta" or hall committee is chosen to mount one or or more arena in the Plaza de Europa (gay area), or tents in the Plaza de la Iglesia de la Concepción(electronic music) and the Plaza de Europa. These groups generally do Latin music. The dances do not only include these three points but all the connecting streets, streets filled with stalls floating their own music. One of the main streets of the carnival is the street "Bethencourt Afonso" popularly known as "Calle San José.

Lunes de Carnaval- Monday Carnival

It is the main day of the feast, with stellar performances in the main stages set in the capital. From 2009 on stage at the Plaza de la Candelaria is home to the Santa Cruz Carnival Dance, an electronic music event which had its first edition Armand Van Helden.

Customs and carnival music also.

Martes: El Gran Coso Apoteosis

Big Tuesday: The big Apotheosis

On Tuesday takes place on the Gran Coso Apotheosis, a ride that runs along the Avenida de Anaga and that marks the end of Carnival officially.

Miercoles de Ceniza - Wednesday´s ashes

Ash Wednesday, first day of Cuaresma (Lent), marks the Burial of the Sardine. The streets and party people of Santa Cruz dresses in black with ribbons to accompany a giant sardine made of cardboard in his last moments before being burned.

Traditional sports-Sports from Tenerife

Canarian Fight: The fight takes place inside a circle, usually of sand, called terrero. In it, two fighters face caught trying to topple

Canarian Stick: The Canary stick game is a martial art that is practiced between two players, without actually making contact with the body of the opponent, make a fight with sticks. The canarian stick was a method of combat.

Canarian Ball: Similar to the French game of petanque, is a sport which basically consists just to score points by launching balls that have to make it as close as possible to an object called Ming or bowling.

Festivals in Tenerife

..work in progress..