The countdown has started again and this time with more force than ever after yesterday’s intense day, in which thousands of people once again enjoyed one of the most anticipated days in Los Realejos, the celebration of the Fireworks and the Cruces, which takes place in the municipality every May 3, declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest in 2015 and on the way to raising its status to that of International Tourist Interest with its worldwide promotion and the presence, once again, of a delegation of journalists from different media abroad.
More than 300 crosses were decorated in the northern municipality, especially in the nucleus of La Cruz Santa, where a total of 93 are concentrated, and in the streets of El Sol and El Medio Arriba, in Realejo Alto. These last two, in addition to the traditional pyrotechnic pique in the realejero sky, compete for the floral bouquets of their chapels and in the decoration of the public thoroughfare, in which the neighbors put all their effort.
This year, those from El Medio street opted for recycled paper flowers from previous years of different colors, but they renewed the ribbons. In the case of Calle El Sol, all the arrangements were new: 14,000 water-resistant plastic paper flowers in white, orange, yellow and red.
The party was lived with total intensity after surviving two years in a row without May 3 due to the pandemic, as one of the souvenir cups that they sold on El Sol street said. The realejeros knew how to wait patiently to be able to enjoy the big day outdoors .
Tourist transfers departing from Avenida de Los Remedios to La Cruz Santa were resumed; the streets were enlivened with music, the parade of the Realejos Fanfare and that of the 101 Brass Band, with giants and big heads; there was a gastronomic fair in the Viera y Clavijo square, and the vendors returned to the Holy Cross, where on Monday afternoon-night the families reopened the patios of their homes to share a glass of white wine and sweets with the most relatives, a tradition that serves as a prelude to the Day of the Cross.
The enrames: authentic works of art
The wooden saints, both from private homes and from streets and chapels, were dressed with more devotion, care and care than ever. The flower beds, authentic works of art made by neighborhood associations, different groups and families, were admired by the public, who did not hesitate to take photos at every moment.
After the celebration of the Eucharist at noon in the main parish of the Apostle Santiago, the procession with the Holy Madero began along the usual route of Avenida de Remedios, and El Sol, La Pila and El Medio streets. Before entering the temple, the great fireworks took place, which this year lasted 12 minutes and brought together hundreds of people, children and adults, who applauded fervently.
The day ended with the transfer of the Santa Cruz in La Pila street, dividing the two previous ones, and the fireworks battle between the Toste Brothers, representing El Sol street, and the Caballer Brothers, from El Medio, who fought one more year to gain prominence in the realejero sky, an extraordinary show that attracts thousands of people to the municipality every year, who from early afternoon look for the best corner to enjoy them.
May has blossomed again in the hearts of realejeros. And as the Councilor for Fiestas, José David Cabrera, pointed out, he has done it to “return the illusion, the magic and that particular shine that the gunpowder draws in his pupils every May 3”.
The clock installed next to the Municipal Tourism Office, in Plaza de La Unión, in front of Plaza Viera y Clavijo, begins the countdown to May 2023 again today.
