Africa makes its way to the Fairgrounds in the capital of Tenerife to embellish the stage for Carnival 2025, which this year draws inspiration from the neighbouring continent. A vibrant ethnic village, centred around two enormous baobabs, with waterfalls that represent the significance of water and cave dwellings, forms the scenic backdrop, designed for the second consecutive year by Nareme Melián, who aims to celebrate culture and the essence of Africa.
This year’s stage has been crafted in the shape of a diamond to increase the capacity to 1,500 places and aims to enhance the feeling of closeness to the audience, returning to a layout reminiscent of past years yet featuring a fresh design that Nareme himself describes as “avant-garde and conceptual.”
The Mayor, José Manuel Bermúdez, inspected the preparations yesterday ahead of the grand unveiling of this carnival platform, which will be illuminated today with the commencement of the first competitions: the initial phase of the children’s murgas. Bermúdez expressed his satisfaction with the installation, commenting, “We are very pleased with this setup, which we will fully appreciate once it’s completed and which ensures greater capacity and more space for activities.”
Accompanied by the Councillor for Fiestas, Javier Caraballero, the Mayor reviewed the details of the work that had been undertaken over the last three weeks. “The fairgrounds provide us with safety, comfort, and shelter in the event of adverse weather, facilitating organisational efforts and the arrangement of resources for the enjoyment of the festivities,” he noted.
Furthermore, the local Mayor, Javier Caraballero, remarked that “around one hundred individuals have successfully managed to implement a rotating stage for the three queens for the first time, which undoubtedly brings them closer to the audience, being the largest in the entire country.”
The stage for the carnival will cover a scenic area of 1,689 square metres, with its base occupying approximately 3,149 square metres, reaching a height of 13.5 metres. The design will be modular at various heights, adapting to the contours of the fairgrounds’ ceiling. The scenic area will boast a width of 120 metres at the front, complemented by two side ramps to facilitate the entrance and exit of performers and groups.
Nareme Melián emphasised that “the contest and gala stage is a true reflection of the design,” whereas the director of the Galas, Jep Meléndez, appreciated the new configuration, stating, “It is much more versatile and will allow us to engage more with the audience.”
The more artisanal and theatrical scenery will be enhanced by two screens occupying a total of 140 square metres, strategically positioned between the central sun and the platform’s sides.
