María Candelaria Henríquez hardly remembers how long she has been participating in the Exhibition of Flowers and Plantas de Santa Cruz, but he calculates that for more than 30 years, the same ones that he has been practicing the art of Canarian fretwork. When asked how he feels after three years without the fair being held in the park, he replies that “I am looking forward to it.” And it is that seeing people face to face again, but also showing a work that “is not valued or known enough”, suppose a whole shot of extra energy.
Benicia Zamora also speaks of illusion, who wears a broad smile when talking about making typical costumes, which is what she does. “People really want to celebrate and there are already many who have come to order clothes for the magicians’ dances and pilgrimages.” For now, the Ball of Magicians of Santa Cruz It is the one that is giving you the most work.
“Many people have come, but many others were far-sighted and for a few months they ordered the suits in case the restrictions were lifted.” Just a few meters beyond their posts is Maese Villarejo y Gorgorito, who yesterday was, without a doubt, the protagonist, with hundreds of children crowding the stairs next to the Flower Clock to attend his first performance.
And it is that yesterday the 45th Exhibition of Flowers and Plants of the May Festivities of Santa Cruz was inaugurated, in the García Sanabria park, in a festive atmosphere in which the pandemic was almost forgotten. This fair can be visited until May 3, after the mayor, José Manuel Bermúdez, accompanied by the Councilor for Fiestas, Alfonso Cabello, and the island councilor for Socioeconomic Development, Carmen Luz Baso, inaugurated the fair of “joy, the reunion and the illusion”, as defined by the councilor himself.
“Recovering the May Festivities at the García Sanabria means for us to recover the joy, the illusion, with a fair of flowers and plants, but also of books and crafts, which is going to be an extraordinary meeting point for the chicharreros and for the that they visit us, and also for the economy, for those artisans, booksellers and people specialized in Canarian gastronomy, who, without a doubt, have a great point of sale taking advantage of the May Festivities and Mother’s Day”, defended Bermúdez.
The mayor recalled in his inauguration speech that the Fiestas de Mayo have been celebrated since 1890, and that with them the birth of Santa Cruz is celebrated, which turns 528 in this post-pandemic year. He also pointed out that the first procession of the foundational Cross was held in 1873, so it is about to turn 150 years old. After the official opening of the exhibition, Bermúdez toured the different stalls, in which, as he himself explained, “the most important thing I am noticing is that people really wanted to come back. They are very happy, but, above all, there is joy and enthusiasm to return to the park”.
In addition, he recalled that last year the exhibition was held at the Fairgrounds and the answer has nothing to do with this year’s. “Returning to the park without limited capacity is news that fills us all with emotion and hope,” she said. That same joy and illusion exuded Sandra Herrera, who with her brand, No plastic, was exultant. “We have been coming for three years before it was suspended due to the pandemic and I admit that I have goosebumps seeing the festive atmosphere there is, the desire we all have to celebrate, to return,” she said Sandra.
This year the local bookstores and candy stalls have also been incorporated again. Among the first names known to all, such as Agapea, who takes advantage of these days to invite authors to her booth and contact the public, such as Concepción Rodríguez, who yesterday promoted her second novel, Didier. In addition, the Center for Popular Canarian Culture, the Women’s Bookstore or the Ofra Bookstore are present. Since this last event, Óscar Jiménez, who has been participating in this meeting of the Fiestas de Mayo for more than 15 years, has been excited and hopeful.
“It is a joy to return to the park, to be in contact with people, in addition to the fact that economically it is very good for us to cover the gap of these months until the school year begins”, he indicated.
Francisco Pérez, from Turrones Olivia Tacoronte, is another of those who faces these days with special enthusiasm, especially after two years in which his main source of income, sales at popular festivals, disappeared. “We have survived because we had savings, but we have not had any kind of help,” he lamented. “We are seeing people with great enthusiasm and that encourages us. Let’s see if we can come back from now on”, he added.
In this tour flowers are missing, literally. And it is that, although the activities of the García Sanabria continue under the name of Exhibition of Flowers and Plants, only three stands represent that name. One of them is Geranios Tenerife, who did not miss his appointment with Santa Cruz. Silke, its manager, explained how happy it is for them to come back and serve the public.
