The La Laguna City Council unveiled the poster and official programme for Santísimo Cristo 2024 this Thursday, August 29. The religious, cultural, and popular events are set to occur in various locations across the city from September 5 to 22, featuring a schedule of over fifty activities.
The launch event took place outside the sanctuary of Christ, attended by La Laguna’s Mayor, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez; the main figure of Christ, Francisco Túbal; the Councillor for Fiestas, Dailos González; the designer of this year’s poster, Lola Carbajosa; and the rector of the Sanctuary, Víctor Álvarez.
Luis Yeray Gutiérrez commended these festivities as “the heritage of all the residents of La Laguna and the entire island of Tenerife,” highlighting the quality of the programme, which promises 18 days of devotion and faith, music, exhibitions, art, popular culture, humour, children’s events, sports, and heritage—especially significant this year as La Laguna marks 25 years since its designation as a World Heritage City.
In conclusion, the mayor emphasized that this celebration reflects a tremendous collective effort, expressing his gratitude to the staff of the Town Hall’s Festivities department and all the individuals and public and private organisations that help make this event possible each year.
Councillor for Festivities, Dailos González, mentioned, “This new edition of the Fiestas del Cristo will bring three weeks of celebration to La Laguna, with events for all ages and audiences, where the city will showcase its best attire and a festive spirit will fill the historic streets of the old town.”
Popular Events
The councillor then proceeded to outline the key highlights of this year’s programme, commencing with the reading of the traditional proclamation on September 5, delivered by La Laguna lawyer Francisco González de Aledo Buergo.
“This will launch an exciting agenda that, during the first weekend, includes the exceptional concert by the Tenerife Symphony and the Cristo Rock Festival (both on September 6), the first of two planned comedy nights (September 7 and 12), and the XLVI Sabandeño Festival (September 8),” stated the councillor.
After these initial days, other appealing and popular events will take place, such as the Festival de Mayores on September 10, featuring a performance by the group Mocedades; the third edition of the inclusive festival (September 11); the traditional parade of the pandorga and fire horses on September 13; the concert by Los Cantadores, with special collaborations from Blas Cantó, Nia, Soraya, and Arístides Moreno (September 15); the Opening ULL University Welcome Party, a new highlight for this edition (September 19); as well as musical performances by Café Quijano (September 21) and Pasión Vega (September 22).
Key events of historical importance to the people of La Laguna will also occur, such as the fireworks display on the eve of the festival (September 13) and the fireworks show on the main day of the festivities, September 14.
Sports will take centre stage in this edition, including the XLIII El Cristo Popular Race (September 7), the ‘Santísimo Cristo de La Laguna’ Three-Cushion Billiards Tournament (September 18), the XXXIII Table Tennis Tournament, the BMX Nocturna Ciudad de La Laguna (September 21), and the Grand Final of the Cattle Dragging Competition, Government of the Canary Islands 2024 Trophy (September 22), among other competitions.
Religious Agenda
The head figure of Christ, Francisco Túbal, detailed the religious ceremonies that are emblematic of these festivities, including the descent and processional transfer of the image of the Most Holy Christ of La Laguna to La Catedral (September 9) and the celebration of the Eucharist followed by the return procession, scheduled for Saturday, September 14.
Lastly, the artist Lola Carbajosa, who designed this edition’s poster, thanked the Esclavitud del Cristo de La Laguna for allowing her to create this piece, which she aimed to base on joy and respect for traditions. In discussing the poster’s features, she indicated that the hangings and braids embody the solemnity of this celebration, while the fires represent festivity and celebration. The Christ of La Laguna is centrally placed within the artwork, surrounded by floral decorations, such as orchids and sterlicias, enhancing its beauty.
