In Los Realejos, the town has kicked off its festivities dedicated to the Virgen del Carmen. More than 70 events have been planned to honour the Honorary and Perpetual Mayor of the Town, and these celebrations will continue until 31 July. The festivities began yesterday at the sanctuary of Nuestra Señora del Carmen, where the revered image was symbolically brought out from its dressing room.
Following this, the ceremonial flag was hoisted at the front of the sanctuary to mark the beginning of the celebrations, and the schedule of events was presented at the Plaza de San Agustín. “Once again, the month of July unites us in devotion to the sacred image of the Virgen del Carmen, the patron saint of sailors, the Valley of La Orotava, and the Honorary and Perpetual Mayor of Los Realejos,” stated the mayor, Adolfo González.
The mayor, along with the Councillor for Festivities, Isabel Socorro, the parish priest of the parish communities of Realejo Bajo and the Carmen sanctuary, Jorge Concepción Feliciano, and the representative of the Cultural, Recreational and Festive Association Fiestas del Carmen, Carmen Ana González Expósito, presented the events. The diverse programme includes religious ceremonies, galas, festivals, cultural and sporting activities, as well as promotional initiatives for the town, with a focus on local gastronomy, potatoes, and wines.
The feast day of Our Lady of Carmen on July 16 will see the sanctuary open from midnight on Monday 15 until Tuesday 16. This will be followed by the traditional procession with the revered image to Realejo Bajo and back to the sanctuary.
The opening speech for the 2024 Carmen festivities in Los Realejos will be held on July 6. The event, led by the cultural group La Tertulia de los Lunes, will commence at 9:00 p.m. in the Plaza de San Agustín. There will be a performance by pianist Ismael Perera and singer Sandra Morales, and the presentation of candidates for the titles of queen and princess of the sea for children and adults will also take place.
