Santa Cruz is in a jubilant mood as the city marks 530 years since its establishment. To honour this milestone, a grand magician’s performance took place as a delightful tribute. Just before nine o’clock yesterday evening, the streets of the city were abuzz with people donned in traditional attire making their way towards La Noria Street for the event.
The air was filled with the scents of authentic Canarian cuisine and sweets, the taste of local broths, and the sounds of party-goers carrying guitars and timples. This festive scene once again painted a vivid picture of a city steeped in history, standing proudly by the Nuestra Señora de La Concepción Church. This church safeguards the original wooden cross that marked the founding of the Port and Plaza of Santa Cruz on May 3, 1494, nailed by the Castilian troops of Alonso Fernández de Lugo onto the Añazo beach.
Around 700 tables, each with ten chairs, were set up across streets like Antonio Domínguez Alfonso (La Noria), Nifú-Nifá, Campo de Castro, and Bravo Murillo, as well as in the Plazas de Europa and the Iglesia de la Concepción. These tables were rapidly sold out within 15 minutes of being available, and the attendance eventually exceeded 13,000 people, as per the City Council’s data.
Before the festivities commenced, the city mayor, José Manuel Bermúdez, partook in the customary floral offering to the Virgin of Candelaria at her monument. He then made his way to the heart of the celebration, which was already teeming with crowds.
Admission to the event, as is the tradition every year, was free, with entry being swiftly managed through 10 control points. Here, adherence to the traditional Canarian attire, including clothing and footwear, was ensured – the sole requirement for attending the magician’s dance. Music played a significant role throughout the night, with six bands performing in the Campo Castro area from 10:00 p.m. onwards. Among these were Tonique, Nijota, Farutes del Atlántico, Virgen de la Alegría, Parranda la Era, and Amuley. Simultaneously, the Plaza de Europa hosted the renowned Taifa Dances featuring Orígenes, Aceviños, Princesa Dácil, and Delicias del Teide groups.
The night drew to a close with a traditional festive gathering at Charco de la Casona, next to Puente del Cabo, where Orquesta Revelación, Orquesta Generación, and a performance by Pepe Benavente entertained the audience with their musical displays.
Furthermore, the magician’s dance in the city also highlighted environmental consciousness, led by the Santa Cruz Sostenible Foundation. They conducted an awareness campaign to reinforce the new municipal waste regulations, stressing the importance of waste reduction and compulsory segregation at every event to minimize environmental impact.
Three environmental patrols, comprising educators and actors, were stationed at the entrances to the event area, disseminating information on waste segregation for planet conservation. These patrols visited the tables from 10:00 p.m. onward, emphasising environmental guidelines, reducing food wastage, waste collection, and correct disposal practices.
