Yesterday, the streets of Santa Cruz de Tenerife witnessed an explosive Carnival celebration with the Coso Apotheosis, a vibrant festival that brought together over 30,000 participants and spectators. From 4:00 p.m., the parade adorned the city’s avenues of Francisco La Roche and Marítima with a display of fantasy and spectacle. For nearly four hours, the city center was immersed in rhythm and vivid colors, as carnival groups such as comparas, murgas, rondallas, musical and choreographic ensembles, costume groups, floats, decorated cars, and the queens with their entourage paraded through the streets.
A substantial audience gathered along the avenue to witness the dynamic carnival procession despite the high number of participants. The City Council went the extra mile by providing a total of 8,000 free seats along the route, supplemented by stands accommodating 1,300 people near the Cabildo. The bustling seats were predominantly occupied by tourists visiting the city to revel in one of the world’s finest carnivals, compelling many others to watch the Coso standing from the sidewalks.
Against the backdrop of the city’s port, presided over by the Aida cruise ship, the parade commenced with the spectacular display of the Ni Fú-Ni Fá Afilharmonic, leading the procession comprising over 10,000 festival participants.
Following the veteran murga, the Bahía Bahitiare troupe took over the rhythm, paving the way for the Carnival Queen’s float, led by Corina Mrazek with her enchanting fantasy “El Mundo,” designed by Santi Castro. The magnificent queen, flanked by the top prize-winning carnival groups, including Los Diablos Locos murga, the musical ensemble Cantares Luz de Luna, and the Los Joroperos troupe, garnered resounding applause from the audience.
The various formations were interspersed among the floats carrying the four bridesmaids, drawing loud cheers from the spectators. The extravaganza showcased the likes of Los Bambones murga, the Caña Dulce group, the Tropicana troupe, the Los Mamelucos murga, and the sounds of the Chaxiraxi group.
Rhythm and fantasy interwove with the presence of iconic Carnival characters such as La Lecherita, Fidel Castro, and Harpo Marx, while the award-winning batucada of the Cariocas troupe got the audience dancing. The entourage continued with the performances by the murga Los Trapaseros, the group Sabor Isleño, the troupe Los Rumberos, the murgas Marchilongas and Irónico, along with the groups Siboney and Los Yuppies, concluding the adult groups’ segment.
Subsequently, the spotlight shifted to the younger participants, kick-starting with the Tropicana Infantil troupe, paving the way for the float of the Infant Queen, Sonia Rodríguez, adorned in her fantasy “Mi Ratito Favorito,” designed by Alexis Santana. The youthful queen, joyfully waving, was accompanied by the murga Los Redoblones, the choreographic group Yu Funk, the murga Los Distracdos, the Loli Pérez ballet, and numerous other children’s groups, infusing the parade with exuberance.
The carnival procession then made way for the veterans, with rondallas and groups from the Third Age accompanying the arrival of the Queen of the Elders, Isabel García, showcasing the design by Dani Mena, March 33, alongside her court of honor. The decorated cars marked the grand finale of the remarkable carnival procession, hinting at the imminent culmination of the capital’s festivities.
