Los Realejos is commemorating the 528th anniversary of its establishment today amidst the July Festivities, dedicated to the Virgin of Carmen, and in honour of the recent feast of the co-patron Saint Santiago Apostol. At 11:30, the traditional transfer of the Villa’s Banner will occur from the old Town Hall to the Parish Church of the Apostle Santiago. Following the mass, a civic-religious procession will proceed with civil and military authorities.
Furthermore, today revives the age-old tradition that binds this municipality and Puerto de la Cruz in their shared enthusiasm for the image of Our Lady of Carmen, “a remarkable day in which we offer our Marian image to the sailors of Puerto so they can parade it through our streets, a custom dating back to the mid-eighteenth century,” as described by Los Realejos’ mayor, Adolfo González. While the recitation of the San Rosary will commence at 7:00 p.m. at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Carmen, the Eucharistic celebration, performed by the Tigaray group, will commence at 7:30 p.m. Subsequently, the grand procession, carried by the seamen of Puerto de la Cruz, will wind through various streets of the San Agustín area of Realejos, a tradition that will be repeated on the following day, Monday of Carmen.
“Historical records indicate that since 1750, this event had been missed only in 1812 due to an epidemic that struck the northern region of Tenerife, absences that did not recur in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, and in 2022 due to a fire that affected several towns in the north of the island, including Los Realejos. Therefore, in 2023, this special day was revived in all its magnificence, eagerly anticipating a new edition arriving this Sunday, 28th July,” explains Los Realejos’ mayor, Adolfo González.
UNRIVALLED
“This is an unparalleled tradition, an extraordinary event that uniquely brings two towns together in shared devotion to the same image, in this instance, that of Our Lady of Carmen de Los Realejos, which has already surpassed 270 years of history, an ethnographic and cultural phenomenon worthy of recognition,” remarks the councillor.
Once again this year, local, provincial, and regional media outlets are covering this festival in the days leading up to it and offering special coverage during this Sunday’s event, where the streets around San Agustín are anticipated to once again bustle with activity, featuring attendees from all corners of the island. The enthusiasm of these two municipalities extends beyond their borders, drawing spectators eager to witness one of the most distinctive processions among those held in our archipelago, that of the Octava del Carmen, during which devotees from one municipality process with one of the iconic images from another municipality.
Tomorrow, the Santuario del Carmen will witness another significant moment of Los Realejos’ July Festivities, known as Monday of Carmen, during which, in the solemn Eucharistic function, mayor Adolfo González will symbolically present the baton of command of Realejos to the individual honoured as Honorary and Perpetual Mayor since 1985.
