What are Tenerife festivals Romerias? Why use folklore gear and where to get it....
During most Tenerife festivals, such as Romerias, people decorate their balconies and windows. Rugs and fabric banners hang down from them. Any other festive perifenalia is added on. Often, earthen ware pots used for storing wine are attached, only.
The same happens during Los Realejos and La Orotava Romeria celebrations.
Romerias are a mixture of Pegan Tenerife traditions dating back to old, most probably, Celtic rituals from main land Spain.
Look at the small wagon with 2 oxen. Its a tiny one. You see a young woman approaching one of the beasts. She was not shy during this Tenerife Romeria.
Traces of Romeria celebration music and musical instruments prove the touch of Guanche influence in them.
A bit of Cuban and Puerto Rican also adds to it. Understand this better by reading up on Tenerife history Santa Cruz. Besides, this is said clearly on a CD, I have of the most famous Tenderete folk music band, Los Sabandenos. Tenderete music is part of Tenerife festivals, when they are Romeria fiestas.
Romeria Realejos
One Tenerife Romeria Los Realejos is called Romeria Chica. Its date is 15th of May and the other's is last Sunday in May. Festival Romeria Chica is for the locals. The alternative is for tourists.
The parades during Los Realejos Romerias go up and down the higher part called Realejos Alto.
Very steep roads turn them into cumbersome Tenerife festivals at most stages of this fiesta tour.
I discovered a man in Los Realejos with a real pig's head. Admire him in the photo beside... He drew much attention of amazed disbelief.
Well, dressing up for Romeria celebrations and wearing the right gear is normal. But, a pig's head is artistic festival freedom; it adds so much humor to it...
Leave your car at home or outside the town centers... Take a taxi to get to the Romeria action... Or take a bus from Puerto de la Cruz to the Realejos Romeria and follow on from La Orotava with bus Titsa no.370 to Tigaiga... From there it means a walk back of perhaps 15-20 minutes.
Watch the Romeria Orotava on the level road by the bridge, at the main town square... It's one of best Tenerife festivals to celebrate harvests. About € 2 buy you a seat, there. Fetch local red wine, served out of the barrel during the passing Romeria parade. Believe me, the wine flows merrily...Gather free food and drink from the passing Romeria wagons. This is not always easy, as they often move. Get the typical Tenerife potatoes called papas arrugadas, white bread, strips of grilled meat and more...
I saw a mother with a pram during such Tenerife festivals. She had it covered with sack cloth. Even small children are often dressed in typical Romeria outfit. Looking the part is very important during festivities of Romerias, anywhere on the island.
If you wear Tenerife custom Romeria dress, it's only natural, that you will feel like a local, a Tinerfeño. Consequently, the warm friendly people will even open up more towards you. You will have double the Romeria fun.
Festival wagons or carts are covered with hay or other rustic country materials. Most are drawn by tractors. The terrain is very steep for oxen to do that. Instead, some of the animals are led by their owners. Very few beasts are drawing camouflaged carts. The decor of the wagons is unreal. Marvel at all sorts of country utensils from cookware to agricultural tools. Everything decorates the festival vehicles. Dried melons, grains, lemons, oranges. pumpkins, grains and more hang on them, while some are even on roof tops or in baskets.
Groups of folk dancers perform in the parades of Tenerife festivals. Musicians walk behind, beside or around wagons. They play Tenerife folk music called Tenderete.
Romeria outfits for hire:
School headmasters and teachers in Los Realejos and Puerto de la Cruz want their children to take part in Tenerife festivals of Romerias with proper outfits. I was told so by a lady in my neighborhood, who is called Elke Heidenfels.
Here, I am not sure any more, if she meant mainly for a school festival event, at the time. Nevertheless, school kids are expected to contribute clad in correct custom gear at Romeria fiestas.
To buy Romeria outfits is about as expensive as 1st Communion dresses starting with €100, where even made in China costs a fortune.
Mothers of school kids cannot just take any Romeria custom clothes..
All towns have slightly different Romeria costumes, which then, again, vary according to guilds. The costume of a judge is real smart with expensive materials being used. The fishermen guild clothing is made in brown, black and white, only.
Mothers of school going girls are encouraged to hire folklore dresses for them for about € 30 (dress only). For example, the shop El Molino Artensania, for Tenerife festivals caters for Tenerife folklore gear to buy or rent. Find it in Orotava's main street called La Carretera, 1 minute before reaching the town hall... Contemplate the shop with its name written above its doors and windows in the picture beside, well... You will then remember it.
Don't forget the dark red iron pole, you see at the front right.Only La Carretera is lined with many of them in La Orotava. It's the same road leading to Casa de los Balcones, one of Tenerife tourist highlights. Actually, this beautiful road should be a must for one of Tenerife festivals la Orotava.
Romeria Orotava:
The Romeria San Isodro Labrador or Agricula is the main festival of La Orotava Labrador which means laborer stand for all workers, especially, farm workers. La Orotava Romeria labrador was introduced at the beginning of June in XVII.
Romerias always start in church. I saw its performers coming out of the beautiful church Iglesia de la Concesión, where they immediately gave a show of excellent folklore dancing. Later, more of them confirmed the expertise of La Orotava folk dancers. Their good co-ordination, energy and grace give much credit to La Orotava Romerias.
A Romeria is very amusing and unforgettable, when you join with a few friends. If they love celebrating and, if all of you are dressed in folklore dress, you will all have the time of your life.
The following video of Romeria San Roque 2007 has some typical Tenderete music, too.
Agatha Christie Festival 2009:
Dates: Friday June 5 - Monday June 15
Special guest: Orly grandson of poet Agatha Christie called Mr Mathew Prichard and wife
Events: Original English film shows, and play performances in different languages.
Find out more about this second Tenerife event in honor of the famous British fan of Puerto de la Cruz, the theater companies and all festival events at Tel: 34 + 922 388777 or at www.agathachristie.es...
The presentation of long lost Agatha Christie note books and lost tapes by expert Mr John Curran will not be the only additional high light of the event. Amusement for children will also be provided. By the looks of it, the celebrations for Agatha Christie will remain one of best Tenerife festivals in many years to come. She was a great fan of the oldest Tenerife resort where she stayed in the 1920ies at Taoro Hotel in Taoro Park. She became the darling of Puerto de la Cruz and made the town known by her crime drama the man from the sea. Unfortunately, only the old church Ermita San Amaro remains of the area in La Paz, which featured in the book. Hopefully, the adjoining square will be restored by next year for the III festival Agatha Christie, as it is more than historical. Now it is off limits and walled in because of works. Only the beautiful church can be seen.
Agatha Christie festival Spain accommodation Tenerife:
Tenerife Hotels in the north will be full by middle of June. Special Tenerife deals have come up due the international Agatha Christie festival. Select one of Tenerife hotels Puerto de la Cruz quickly to be part of the action...
Discover all about the DJ championships Spain Puerto de la Cruz of mid August 2009 at Spain news... They are also known as Reunion Innovation Summer rave in the Sun.
Learn about an other Tenerife festival at La Coruna of Los Realejos, a paragliding event which is celebrated with air shows, paramotor tandem, dinners, music and more at Flypa...