Yesterday, Adeje commemorated the festival of San Sebastián, a cherished tradition on the island of Tenerife, with roots tracing back to the 18th century. As in previous years, thousands gathered in La Caleta for both the church service and the subsequent procession, along with the blessing of animals at Enramada beach.
Over a hundred horses were part of the Adejera festivities, along with goats, sheep, donkeys, camels, ponies, dogs, and birds, all accompanied by their owners and under the watchful eye of veterinarians, as per the City Council’s report.
The day commenced at 12:00 p.m. in the San Sebastián church with a mass led by parish priest Agalac Alonso, who praised San Sebastián, stating, “a saint who delivers,” and urged those present to recognise “the gift that life offers” while reflecting on “how much time is squandered on trivial matters.”
Following the homily, which featured the participation of the Boleros de Armeñime group, the mayor of Adeje, José Miguel Rodríguez Fraga, emphasised the “spontaneous” essence of the celebration. “This is a festival of the people, simple and warm, where we, from the council, preserve its spirit, create the environment, and ensure security,” he noted. He also acknowledged the diverse nationalities represented among the attendees.
Rodríguez Fraga, with one foot in the International Tourism Fair (Fitur) where a busy week awaits him as mayor of Adeje and president of the Association of Tourist Municipalities of the Canary Islands, shared his wishes to San Sebastián in an interview with Radio Sur Adeje: “Peace in the world, a spirit of solidarity, and not becoming desensitised to the suffering of others,” particularly mentioning migrants risking (or losing) their lives on the Canary Islands route and the victims of conflicts like those occurring in Ukraine and the Middle East.
The southern councillor also remembered “those who cannot be here, especially those in Venezuela, who are enduring tough times and who, despite the distance, experience this festival with great enthusiasm.”
The procession traversed the square before arriving at La Enramada beach, where one of the highlight moments occurred: the traditional entry of the riders into the sea, monitored by lifeguards, local police, and health personnel.
Following the customary salutation to the sea, as tradition dictates, the image of San Sebastián was transported to the El Humilladero area and subsequently to the square bearing his name, where the blessing of the animals took place. The organisers cordoned off areas to ensure larger animals were kept comfortably, shaded, and hydrated.
This year, similar to recent celebrations, various refreshment stations were set up for the participants, operated by festival committees from different neighbourhoods, allowing them to enjoy “a little piece of meat or a glass of wine,” as the mayor described. The culinary offerings were further enriched by contributions from local bars and restaurants. Indeed, the square hosted numerous ventorrillos and traditional sweet stalls.
As usual, the area surrounding the ventorrillos and points for traditional food and sweet sales witnessed a significant influx of visitors in the vicinity of the square.
According to the Adeje City Council, there were no major incidents throughout the day, and “coexistence and calm” prevailed during the festivities, which brought together people of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures.
To ensure public safety, the council designated a parking area, leaving main routes clear to facilitate smoother movement for both pedestrians and vehicles. An area was also cordoned off for the livestock that took part in the procession. Additionally, a comprehensive security operation was in place, involving officers from the Local and National Police, Civil Guard, canine police, rescue services, first aid, and Civil Protection.
The La Paloma viewpoint was among the prime spots to observe the riders and horses showcasing their skills at sea. As in previous years, the organisers allocated an area for individuals with reduced mobility or disabilities to provide them with an accessible viewing space.
The day prior, the festivities included a mass sung by the Mesturao group, a small procession featuring the Band of the Adeje Musical Board, and a performance by the Bentahod group.
