Tenerife’s Círculo de Bellas Artes Commences Centenary Celebrations

A Historic Milestone

The Círculo de Bellas Artes de Tenerife (CBATenerife), based in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Calle del Castillo, 43), held its official centenary commemoration on Thursday, marking 100 years since its founding on 7th September 1925. The event highlighted the institution’s historical contributions and future aspirations, with full representation from the public administrations of the Canary Islands, including the regional government, Cabildo, and the City Council of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Prominent figures from the private arts and cultural promotion entity also attended, including its president, Pepe Valladares, alongside representatives from friend organisations such as the Fundación CajaCanarias and the Domingo Pérez Minik Cultural Observatory.

The centenary celebrations coincided with the relaunch of activities at the institution following significant renovations. This initiative, part of the “Nuevo Círculo” project, kicked off with a live jazz performance by Atlantic Band Lab on Calle del Castillo. The festivities continued with the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the centenary on the building’s façade, followed by a series of speeches in a formal session. Attendees were also given a tour of the renovated building to appreciate the outcomes of its comprehensive refurbishment, concluding with a toast before departure.

Looking Ahead

In his closing remarks, CBATenerife president Pepe Valladares expressed a clear vision for the institution’s future: “Welcome to this new century that begins now, to an open space for all who wish to make culture, art, and thought the means to improve our lives; to create a better society; to respond to our concerns; to promote dialogue as a way to understand each other; to remember our best past, and to walk determinedly towards a fuller future. Welcome to the Nuevo Círculo!”

Prior to his concluding statement, Valladares emphasised that, “now, with the centenary as our starting point, this management board, along with all our members, wishes to restore the Círculo de Bellas Artes to the prominent position it deserves: to become a centre for critical debate about culture and art in our society. We wish to involve all members, as well as affiliated institutions and associations, to make this possible generously.” He added: “The Nuevo Círculo of the 21st century will be open in every sense, bringing new ideas and perspectives to the interests of culture in our islands.”

Guiding Principles

Valladares also highlighted that the Círculo will be “grounded in the principles that guided our candidacy,” which is supported by three main pillars: “Rethinking the association to adapt our founding principles to modern times, positioning ourselves as a place for critical debate on culture, art, and thought, as well as on civic issues; professionalising management to create the necessary administrative structure for optimal functioning and financing our activities; and opening our headquarters and the association to foster synergies with all organisations and individuals involved in art, culture, and thought.”

Reinforcing these sentiments, the president of the Cabildo de Tenerife, Rosa Dávila; the Regional Minister for Universities, Science, Innovation, and Culture, Migdalia Machín; and the mayor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, José Manuel Bermúdez, shared their insights during the event.

Institutional Reflections

The discussions also included contributions from Pilar Carreño, a researcher on the history of the Círculo de Bellas Artes, and Margarita Ramos, president of the Fundación CajaCanarias. Additionally, a video message from journalist and writer Juan Cruz was featured. The mayor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife focused on the Círculo’s relationship with the city since its founding: “It was born with a clear vocation, to be an open space for creation, a refuge for those who believe that art is a means to understand and transform the world. And Santa Cruz responded by offering its vibrant pulse, its streets, its diverse and cosmopolitan people, and its port open to the Atlantic.”