The Carnival has officially commenced in Santa Cruz. Following the inaugural gala held last Friday, the festive spirit is now enveloping the city of illusions, inspired by the enigmas of Africa. This ambitious endeavour is articulated by Javier Caraballero, a councilman for the Chicharrero City Council, who assures that “everything is set for a wonderful event.” This party, which attracts international tourism, promises to offer an array of new features, including changes to the queen’s gala duration.
-What innovations can we expect at Carnival 2025 in Santa Cruz?
“We are set for a spectacular carnival, characteristic of Chicharreros, where substantial changes will be implemented to honour the commitments I made during the last edition. The stage in the fairgrounds has been rearranged to accommodate an additional 1,700 people. We’ve also agreed to make the children’s murgas contest free, supporting the talent of our youth, coupled with a new location for the Fair of Attractions, now near Plaza de España. In essence, we are consolidating some measures already adopted from last year alongside new initiatives this edition.”
-Is Carnival itself calling for these changes?
“Carnival inherently evolves, and the anticipated modifications to the fairgrounds are in direct response to the desires of both the participating groups and the attendees who revel in the festivities. It is the citizens who demand transformation. For instance, the fair was previously held in a location that no longer met the optimal standards for its success, placed on a road and an area of land, but thanks to the collaboration between the city and the port, we now have the opportunity to enhance the festivities.”
-How confident are you in sustaining the carnival despite the cancellations occurring in other municipalities?
“Maintaining a celebration of this magnitude invariably poses challenges, whether they relate to logistics, budget constraints, or various other factors. However, I believe that what distinguishes Santa Cruz’s carnival from others on the islands is that our carnival is deeply rooted in our culture; it is the people who genuinely uphold it. This enduring spirit is what keeps it thriving. Even if the City Council were to step back from organising the festivities and there were no lights, sound equipment, or stage, the carnival would still persist because it is an intrinsic part of our community—it wasn’t artificially created. The carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife emerged organically from the Chicharreros, and that essence is what sustains it today.”
-The Palma has expressed envy towards Santa Cruz’s carnival for its greater collaboration from all sectors. Do you agree?
“We believe that the carnival is inherently ours, and this deep connection is what allows it to flourish. Therefore, there is a mutual respect for the festival, and an eagerness from everyone to ensure that it goes ahead because it serves as an economic engine for the city. This collective effort is what drives our success—without any one part of this structure, it wouldn’t be the same.”
-The 2024 Carnival brought an economic impact of nearly 39 million euros to the city. What are the expectations for this year?
“Recently, we represented the carnival at Fitur for 400 tour operators, all of whom were captivated by the live experience. This indicates an extensive interest from a tourism perspective that helps us grow further. Economically speaking, we can witness this in real-time, such as during the kiosk auctions, where competition among entrepreneurs for space was markedly more intense than in previous years. There is a palpable desire to invest in our carnival and partake in it, contributing to significant economic benefits. We have high hopes for this year regarding visitor turnout from other destinations, adding another vital dynamic to the city. While we do grapple with a limited hotel infrastructure compared to other parts of the island, this hasn’t deterred tourists from choosing Santa Cruz, spending money, and enjoying our carnival. I am confident that the economic impact of this edition will surpass last year’s.”
-Were there agreements established with the Cabildo and the Regional Government to assist with Carnival financing?
“We are on the verge of finalising a comprehensive agreement with the Cabildo, which will become a sponsor of the event. Unfortunately, we have yet to reach a consensus with the Canary Islands government this time, but we are optimistic for next year. Currently, there will be a significant financial contribution from the island government budget, which will be directed to the local party agency—something very beneficial for our carnival.”
-This year, ticket prices for competitions have increased, and there were discussions about charging for street events. Will this be implemented?
“Regarding tickets for the contests and queen galas at the fairgrounds, it is important to highlight that prices had not changed in nearly 20 years. However, due to significant increases in costs related to Carnival, we have decided on a reasonable price rise to align with inflation. For context, while a murga sweatshirt costs 25 euros and the Murgas final is set at 12 euros, the increases are fair and will assist in financing the event. As for street activities such as the COSO or the rhythm and harmony competition, this year we will begin charging for stands, not solely for tourists as in previous years, but also for locals wishing to participate. This will require a prior payment at a relatively symbolic price compared to the tourist stands, each costing around 5 euros, with the aim of also aiding in the funding of street events.”
-Last year saw the introduction of the Dragonval, as well as the inclusive carnival and senior carnival. Will these continue?
“We will maintain these activities; however, the Dragonval will be celebrated on Carnival Monday this year, rather than on the Friday of Piñata as was done last year, allowing for broader participation. The inclusive sardine event will also proceed on the Thursday morning, along with the inclusive carnival at the Francisco La Roche Avenue stage, which drew thousands in the previous iteration. We are also planning for a Senior Carnival on the last Sunday of Piñata.”
-What about the daytime carnival? What additional artists are being considered beyond those already announced?
“We have already confirmed that Wilfrido Vargas, Ráfaga, and Elvis Crespo will perform, but there are two more significant acts to be announced soon. The Chicharrero carnival has a vibrant soundtrack tied to merengue, salsa, cumbia, and bachata. We are focusing on these genres because they resonate with many generations connected to the carnival.”
-Is there knowledge about who will perform at the Queen’s Gala?
“We are in the process of finalising an agreement with a renowned international artist for the queen’s gala. We are also determining which national figures will serve as jurors. However, I cannot disclose more details at this stage as negotiations are ongoing.”
-Regarding the anticipated Gala, which has sold out its 4,100 tickets, will there be any new elements?
“The stage is taking shape, but the primary innovation will involve adjusting the duration of the gala so that the adult queen is proclaimed on the same day. For the first time, the act will be shortened to less than two and a half hours, as previously the coronation would occur past midnight. Consequently, this year’s timing will be compressed to ensure the candidates are at the forefront. Concerning the collaborative performances from groups, only the rondallas will remain, with only the winners performing in their respective categories. Every group will partake in the gala in different capacities. Additionally, we will once again feature augmented reality for television viewers.”
-And what about the galas for the child queen and the older participants?
“Similar to the adult gala, group collaborations will be scaled back to ensure a shorter duration. There will be no children’s murgas as we’ve seen in recent years, but only the winner will perform, related to the Africa theme. Meanwhile, the gala for the elderly is designed to be a celebration for them to relish.”
