Completing his debut year as a member of the Autonomous Festival Organization (OAC) of the City Council in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Javier Caraballero (CC) has taken festive events in the capital to a whole new level. His professional background in the entertainment industry has provided a solid foundation for implementing innovative changes that have become a signature of his work. Despite facing some challenges along the way, Caraballero expresses, “I am extremely content, and that makes up for everything else.”
-After one year overseeing the Festivities. What is your evaluation?“The assessment is highly favourable as we have successfully enhanced various aspects and introduced novel events in the city’s diverse celebration programmes. The Inclusive Carnival marked its debut, not only as an event but throughout all the competitions at the Fairgrounds and on the streets. The Dragnaval gala also made its debut, finally acknowledging the LGTBI community within our festivities. Additionally, we have boosted the Elderly Carnival and placed a greater emphasis on nurturing new carnival talent by allowing the younger participants to kick off the Parade. The May Festival still presents an opportunity to instil our cultural and traditional values in the younger generation. This year, we took a step forward in collaboration with the Education Department by organising the inaugural Romero School Walk. However, there is still much more to accomplish in terms of involving schools in this regard. Overall, the public is satisfied with the celebrations, as the outcomes of each programme have been truly exceptional. Consequently, we are already immersed in planning the upcoming editions of both the Christmas and Carnival programmes with great eagerness, enthusiasm, and care.”
-Are there areas for enhancement in the forthcoming festivities?“There are numerous areas in need of improvement that we are currently reviewing. In the Carnival, certain issues have emerged, particularly in relation to the contests, which will be assessed imminently. Therefore, in the upcoming weeks, we will convene with the festival groups to review all contest criteria, as there are certain aspects that require modification. This will not entail a complete overhaul but rather the adjustment of specific elements which, when rectified collectively, will result in a substantial improvement. With an increasing number of attendees at events, we require larger venues to host the shows. This will be one of the primary changes, and indeed, we are already in the process of redesigning the layout of the Fairgrounds stage to offer a truly unique experience, unlike anything seen before. The redesigned stage will enhance the view for spectators and significantly increase capacity by placing it on one side and seamlessly merging with the audience.”
-Will expanding the contest capacity lead to a reduction in ticket prices?“The celebrations in Santa Cruz are financed through the municipal budget and proceeds obtained from the sale of stalls, sponsorships, or ticket sales. I believe there needs to be a balance between both aspects. In this regard, we aim to maintain reasonable prices so that everyone can partake in the Carnival. However, it is evident that there has been an overall increase in the quality and cost of all services, necessitating adjustments in this area. We will not compromise on the minimum ticket prices; for example, if tickets for the Queen’s Gala were priced at €10, they will remain at that level, although prices for other shows may rise. We are also considering making certain contests, such as the Children’s Murgas, free to encourage participation among the younger audience.”
-With respect to Carnival financing, Festivities had been advocating for an agreement with the Government of the Canary Islands. Have there been any developments?“We are actively engaged in discussions with the Government and the island council to secure their collaboration in supporting the Santa Cruz Carnival. While the island council contributes directly to the groups for promotional purposes related to Tenerife’s tourism image, the City Council bears the cost of renting the Fairgrounds, amounting to half a million euros for the venue and associated services. Hence, the goal is to reach an agreement whereby all three authorities jointly finance what is undoubtedly the most significant festival in the Canary Islands and arguably in Spain, in terms of economic impact and participation data, generating a substantial €40 million impact for the city this year.”
-Are you suggesting that the Fairgrounds will be provided free of charge for the Carnival?“The objective is to sustain the Fairgrounds costs, as this venue falls under a public company of the island council. We will need to determine the exact financing model, but this is the collaboration that we are seeking from the Council, and we are encountering a favourable stance towards reaching a mutual agreement.”
-Does this mean that the Carnival contests will remain at the Campus?“The contests will continue to be held at the Venue, while the essence of the Carnival will persist in the streets, which is a pivotal aspect of the festival and a source of pride for us – the broad societal participation. The street revelry, characterised by positive energy, embodies the most inclusive celebration that exists, and one that we should take pride in. While nostalgia may prompt thoughts of shifting the contests back outdoors for a more grandiose setting, the security provided by the Fairgrounds necessitates our continued presence in that space.”
-There were discussions about introducing fees for seats at certain street events. Will this be implemented?“We are exploring this option, particularly for the Coso y Ritmo y Armonía, rather than the Cabalgata, where the extensive 3.6-kilometre route poses a challenge. For the Coso y Ritmo y Armonía, we aim to establish a larger stand space, akin to what is observed during the Holy Week processions in Seville. This modification will enhance the visual appeal of the area and enable more individuals to access prime viewing spots. Moreover, it will contribute towards financing the festivities. Currently, stand tickets are only available through tourist packages, so this measure will also serve to democratise access to the shows.”
-Should the Carnival embrace innovation while preserving its traditional framework?“We find ourselves at a crossroads, debating between maintaining tradition or pioneering new initiatives. However, our focus should be on progressing and the Carnival provides an ideal platform for this evolution, while preserving the unique characteristics of each competition. We have already witnessed improvements, such as the enhanced Comparsas contest in 2017, featuring a more dynamic format with a dual-stage setup and reduced performance duration. Therefore, similar enhancements can be implemented in other competitions as well.”
-And in relation to the Queens’ galas, will the existing team remain in charge?“The current team will stay, with Nareme Melián overseeing the Carnival set design, alongside Daniel Pages directing the Children’s and Seniors’ galas, and Jep Meléndez in charge of the opening and Adult galas. The team collaborated effectively, showcasing commendable teamwork, which had been established for the first time. While subsequent evaluations identified areas for improvement, the team also successfully implemented new ideas that resonated with the audience. I come from
Rewriting the Entertainment World: Embracing Innovation
Exploring the entertainment industry teaches us that every direction taken involves trial and error, with risks looming large, especially given the constraints of a hectic schedule. Nonetheless, the overall outcome appears quite satisfactory, particularly with the inclusion of virtual reality experiences now accessible through television. Exciting innovations were introduced, paving the way for further exploration in the Carnival shows. This, coupled with the upcoming stage revamp for next year, promises a more avant-garde artistic evolution in terms of design and spatial dynamics.
-Is the stage design process already in progress, with an African theme for the upcoming Carnival?
“We are in the final stages of crafting the layout and scenography for the stage. Furthermore, we have scheduled meetings with the participating groups next week to refine the guidelines for the various competitions. Thus, the machinery keeps running smoothly between Carnivals, involving not just reconciliations, alterations, and choices but also the drafting of specifications, tenders, and a myriad of other tasks that render the Fiesta’s operations quite complex. Despite our modest team of 21 members, we continue to orchestrate one of the most significant events on the Island and in the Autonomous Community, seamlessly integrating it with the city’s other festivities.”
-Will there be modifications in other festivals held in the capital city?
“Following the success of this year’s May Festival, García Sanabria Park will remain the central hub uniting our traditions, alongside the musical and artistic components near Plaza de La Candelaria. However, there is a pressing need to amplify the prominence of the founding festivities, despite the significant leap in quality achieved. Regarding the upcoming Carmen festivities, the Habaneras Festival will receive enhanced promotion, featuring three categories this year along with a three-day contest culminating in a festive celebration post-competition. Additionally, we are reinstating the traditional kiosks around La Concepción church’s square.”
-The OAC is set to transition into a public business entity soon. What implications does this shift carry?
“The transition aims to streamline the contracting and administrative processes, accompanied by a 10% increment in the budget allocated to Carnival groups. Although the transition was initially slated for the following month, slight delays are expected as certain queries are being vetted with the General State Administration. Our goal is to execute a seamless transformation that stands the test of time.”
