Parade of light, color and vibration of the batucadas in Los Cristianos

He Arona Town Hall estimated at about 10,000 viewers who could congregate on the margins of the established route in a unique parade. Shortly before 5:00 p.m., there were people on the beaches of Las Vistas and Los Cristianos, walking along the promenades, sitting in bars, cafes and restaurants.

But others decided to come closer to see what a representation of what carnival is in store for dozens of groups or families, who unleash their desire to dance, to play, to have fun and to involve others in a form of live.

The organization established a two-kilometre route, which began at the beginning of Juan Carlos I avenue and ended at Valle Menéndez street, in the vicinity of the cultural center of Los Cristianos. In the first sector of the route there was less concentration of public. But, starting from the roundabout with Avenida Londres, the attendance was massive until the end of the tour.

Thousands and thousands of mobile phones captured photos and videos of a singular moment. The slope up to the access to the Princesa Dácil hotel and the section of Amsterdam avenue going down were especially colorful enclaves to appreciate the mixture of colors and movements with a certain depth.

The procession was led by the comparsa Los Playeritos, which is the quarry of the Ritmo Sureño group. Both groups are from Los Cristianos, so it was very special for all its members to dance in “their house”. And the shouts and applause of support in the last section of the route reflected it. The CEO is Silvia Ferrerawhile the dance troupe is in charge of Ainara Ruiz.

One of its younger members is Dana Cabello. He was first in Los Playeritos and, since 2020, in Ritmo Sureño. This year, the components of said comparsa took part in the arena of Santa Cruz, in that of Los Gigantes and in that of Granadilla. After she’s finished, Dana admits that she’s a little tired, but she’s had a great time.

Cabello is a neighbor of Tijoco, in the municipality of Adeje. The mobilization to participate in the carnival with this group began in October. After one rehearsal per week in the first months, when the public appearances approach, the preparation meetings increase to three weekly.

Daniel Baute He is the deputy director, choreographer and designer of the Río Orinoco comparsa. He believes that “this is one of the most grateful things in Carnival.” He explains that one of the characteristics of this parade is that you see people all along its route, from the beginning to the end. In addition, Baute clarifies that among the public there is “much admiration for what they see”, since the majority are tourists who discover the carnival in this way, “and that admiration fills our hearts”.

Axel La Serna and Yurena Dorta They are members of another comparsa, Los Joroperos. Axel points out that the parade has seemed faster to him than in other years and he values ​​the act in a positive way, due to the luminosity that the sun generates on the costumes. Dorta describes the experience of this Sunday as “rewarding”. She has been linked to this group for six years, but as a general component, only two.

One of the numerous groups that follow the first comparsas are some geishas. Among them is a councilor from the Arona town hall, Elena Cabello. She explains that this group is formed, in its vast majority, by women linked to different groups of older people in the southern municipality.

He comments that, for many months of the year, members of these groups of the Third Age make these costumes and even collaborate in making the costume that represents the candidate of each neighborhood for the queen’s gala of the Elderly in the Carnival of Los Cristianos.

the costumes of geishas They were made for the 2020 Carnival, which never took place. For this group, yesterday was also a reunion with one of their festive days. Cabello admits that in these three years it is possible that some of those people will no longer be around. But this Sunday was the time to live the party.

Another of the groups that danced in Los Cristianos was the comparsa Oh no!created four years ago and whose director is Elena Morales. This collective appeared in the arena without having carried out a rehearsal. Elena says that she is faint and that is why she is still sitting on the edge of a small pool.

“They encouraged me,” he clarifies. She refers to the rest of the members of the formation. “I think they don’t want me to die,” she clarifies spontaneously. She has very short hair. She affirms: “I have cancer”. She was diagnosed just a year ago, in March 2022. She has decided to expose her disease on the internet. She is positive and willing to live every moment with intensity. She is the other face of the carnival, where people overcome adversity through dance and in a space for parties and fun.

Among those present is the batucada Knadumfrom Cabo Blanco. One of its members is Isaac Benitez, which explains that their activity is carried out throughout the island. But Los Cristianos is special: “it’s my town, you have to give it your all,” she says with a smile.

One of the dancers cariocas is Begona Martin. At the end of the tour, he points out that “it is very hot, but since I am enjoying it, it has become shorter.” He warns that “you have to put in the desire.” He has been in this formation for a decade. He points out that in the arena of Los Cristianos “there are many tourists, which are more exciting, you see more people than in other places”, except in Santa Cruz, “and the weather helps”. For her, when she dances in front of the public, she is able to “release all the adrenaline” and, despite her physical exhaustion, which she will come later, her satisfaction cannot be described. “That only feels if you are a carnival fan,” she says.