Exhibitions, guided tours, workshops, and theatrical performances enhance the cultural agenda of the sixteenth edition of Santa Cruz Full Moon, set to occur over this weekend. This was revealed by the mayor of the Tenerife capital, José Manuel Bermúdez, who elaborated that “this cultural programme will unfold in various venues throughout the capital, including the Municipal Museum of Fine Arts, TEA Tenerife, the MUNA, the Military Fort of Almeida, General Captaincy, the Guimerá Theatre, and the San Rafael and San Roque cemetery, among others.”
In this context, Bermúdez shared that “the city will witness an extensive array of cultural, artistic, and educational activities across numerous locations from Friday, 4 October to Sunday, 6 October,” adding that “this broad spectrum of options will position Santa Cruz as a cultural benchmark, interweaving our traditions with contemporary artistic initiatives appealing to all audiences.”
Carmen Pérez, the CEO of the Development Society, stated that “Plenilunio Santa Cruz transcends a mere event; it is a platform where culture and art converge,” and further remarked that “this initiative not only stimulates our economy but also strengthens community spirit, evidenced by the increasing number of attendees each year, thereby establishing the city as a cultural and artistic hub on the Island.”
“Exhibitions and guided tours at MUNA, TEA Tenerife, and the Municipal Museum of Fine Arts, along with workshops and recreations at the Fuerte de Almeyda Regional Military Museum of the Canary Islands, the opening of the Capitanía Palace and its Throne Room, theatrical performances at the Cemetery of San Rafael and San Roque, or a comedy show at the Guimerá Theatre will all be among the most notable cultural offerings this weekend during Plenilunio,” Pérez emphasised, adding that “the complete programme, featuring details of times and locations, can be found on the website www.pleniluniosantacruz.com.”
Musical and artistic experiences to kick off the weekend
On Friday, the Municipal Museum of Fine Arts will extend its opening hours from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., allowing visitors to appreciate its permanent collection. Additionally, on Friday at 7:30 p.m., the musical programme will commence with the Plenilunio Romanza Concert, performed by professors from the Canary Islands Superior Conservatory of Music, as part of the Tenerife Viola Masterclass.
Conversely, the Tenerife Espacio de las Artes (TEA) will be open throughout the weekend from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., showcasing exhibitions such as “Two who cross each other,” focusing on the artistry of Óscar Domínguez, and “Sweet dreams,” by Carlos Rivero. Furthermore, in this venue, on Friday at 6:00 p.m., there will be a guided tour of Domínguez’s work, and at 7:00 p.m., the “TEA 2024 Contemporary Biennial: The Heretic Proclamation” will be inaugurated, along with a screening of the film “The Farrer Method” at the TEA Cinema.
Also on Friday, MUNA will have special hours until 9:00 p.m. and will offer specialised tours, upon registration, focusing on nocturnal birds of prey and bats, scheduled for 6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m. Additionally, the temporary exhibition “The smoke of progress. El Correíllo La Palma, its era and recovery” will feature guided tours at 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Individuals wishing for more information or to complete their registrations should visit www.museosdetenerife.org/blog/plenilunio-2023-en-el-muna-2/.
Moreover, the climax of Friday’s activities will be in the Plaza de la Candelaria, where a stunning display involving over 220 drones will take place, also viewable from various locations across the municipality. This event will commence at 8:30 p.m., accompanied by a concert from the Tenerife Philharmonic Orchestra, showcasing pieces like Carros de fuego, More than you know, Played Alive (The Bongo Song), a segment of a work by Basilio, Pirates of the Caribbean, and One more time. Following the drone performance, the Tenerife Philharmonic Orchestra will carry on their concert with more than a dozen selections.
A bustling Saturday of activities for all the family
As for Saturday’s activities, the Regional Military Museum of the Canary Islands at Fuerte de Almeyda will welcome guests from 12:00 p.m., featuring a series of events including the changing of the guard at 12:15 p.m., a re-enactment of the II World War Recon25 at 1:00 p.m., an airsoft match at 5:00 p.m., a historical recreation of the English attack of the 18th century at 6:00 p.m., followed by a concert from the Municipal Music Band. Additionally, there will be parallel events with music and an array of workshops, such as archery, modelling, and Bripac exhibitions.
Meanwhile, MUNA will be accessible from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with continued programming featuring visits to the temporary exhibition on the Correíllo La Palma, scheduled for 11:30, 12:30, 5:00, and 6:00 p.m. Moreover, there will be guided tours of the Guanche funerary area at 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. Those interested in registering should navigate to www.museosdetenerife.org/blog/plenilunio-2023-en-el-muna-2/.
At TEA, alongside its permanent exhibitions, participants can engage in special activities such as the Art Library at 10:00 a.m.; additional guided tours of the Óscar Domínguez exhibition at 12:00 and 5:00 p.m.; a visit to the Industrial Classroom at 12:00 p.m., and a workshop on the Contemporary Biennial led by the Al’Akhawat collective at 6:00 p.m. In addition, at 7:00 p.m., the TEA Cinema will host a repeat screening of “The Farrer Method.”
On Saturday, visitors can delve deeper into one of the capital’s most iconic sites, the Throne Room situated in the General Captaincy Palace of the Canary Islands, open from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Moreover, Plaza Weyler will feature a performance by the music unit of the Canary Islands Command (MCANA) at noon.
Another prominent location will be the San Rafael and San Roque Cemetery, where the dramatized tour “Doubloons for Eternity” organised by Burka Teatro will take place. This will occur on Saturday at 5:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m., and 10:00 p.m. It is a historical comedy set in the mid-16th century, revolving around a wealthy landowner’s desire to receive burial and tribute befitting his lineage, within the main altar of one of the Island’s principal churches, blending theatre and live opera with insights from a heritage historian.
Thus, the San Rafael and San Roque cemetery, acknowledged as an Asset of Cultural Interest since 2004, will provide context on the concept of death during the Old Regime, inclusive of its rituals and customs. Attendees wishing to participate must register at https://www.tomaticket.es/es-es/entradas-plenilunio-tenerife.
At the Guimerá Theatre, the show “N’importe quoi” will be performed at 8:00 p.m. by the Leandre Clown company as part of the Clownbaret 2024 International.
Festival.
A Cultural Sunday to Conclude Plenilunio
On Sunday, the MUNA will welcome visitors free of charge from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It will feature new guided tours of Correillo La Palma at 11:20 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., alongside a tour of the Guanche funerary area at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. These visits are complimentary but necessitate prior registration via the exhibition centre’s website.
At the TEA, activities will persist with exhibitions by Óscar Domínguez and Carlos Rivero, along with free workshops from the Art Library, operating from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Additionally, a guided tour of Domínguez’s work will occur at 11:00 a.m., and at 12:00 p.m., Carlos Rivero will guide visitors through his exhibition, while the final screening of “The Farrer Method” will take place at 7:00 p.m.
The cultural agenda of Plenilunio is further enhanced with two sessions of dramatized visits to the San Rafael and San Roque Cemetery, where “Doubloons for Eternity” will be performed by Burka Teatro at 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Registrations can be made through the following link https://www.tomaticket.es/es-es/entradas-plenilunio-tenerife.
Plenilunio Santa Cruz is coordinated by the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Development Society and receives support from Promotur Turismo de Canarias (Government of the Canary Islands), funded through the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, under the Next Generation EU Funds. Additionally, it is also backed by Hospiten, Worten, Fuente Alta, Mutua Tinerfeña, and Cajasiete.
Plenilunio Santa Cruz advises the use of public transport or bicycles, the disposal of waste in authorised containers, the employment of a single cup, and promotes the use of cardboard containers.
Those wishing to stay in Santa Cruz during Plenilunio can find comprehensive information regarding the city’s hotels and special deals in the ‘Accommodations’ section of the website www.pleniluniosantacruz.com, where further information on mobility and the full programme of activities can also be accessed.
