Cultural Programme for EU-Modex Tenerife 2025 in Garachico

The Cabildo of Tenerife will host a cultural and educational programme in Garachico from 22 to 27 September as part of the EU-Modex Tenerife 2025 initiative. This is the first volcanic eruption exercise in Spain, organised under the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). This was announced on Saturday by the island institution, which emphasises that the initiative aims to bring citizens closer to “scientific knowledge about volcanoes, volcanic risk management, and emergency prevention.”

The president, Rosa Dávila, stated that this week is one of the most significant for prevention and security in Tenerife, as the island “has never previously put together a protection framework of this calibre.” The eruption simulation will take place on Friday, 26 September, involving over 1,000 national and international personnel.

Garachico as the Centre of the Simulation

The simulation will focus on the island of Tenerife, particularly the municipality of Garachico. The Cabildo notes that it is a “symbol of resilience following the eruption of the Trevejo volcano in 1706,” making it “a privileged setting for the exercise.”

The accompanying cultural week for EU-Modex Tenerife 2025 will feature “exhibitions, talks, conferences, documentary film cycles, and Volcanic Cafés, combining science, history, and education in a context of heritage and scientific value,” they elaborate. Blanca Pérez, the Councillor for Natural Environment, stated that Tenerife “is fully prepared to handle the emergency simulation.”

During the week, there will be “open talks for the public and schools on crisis management, legal security, animal care, and post-eruption resilience,” according to the island institution. All activities will be free of charge and will also include “urban geotourism routes in Garachico and musical performances by local groups,” alongside “exhibitions and drawing competitions,” among other events.

Programme Outline

**Monday, 22 September:**
– **Exhibition** on volcanic phenomena and risk management, open to the public from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 15:00 at the CajaCanarias Cultural Space, featuring “Canarias… soy volcán, salitre y lavas” (Involcan) and “Volcanic Surveillance in the Canary Islands and its Role During Emergencies” (Geographic National Institute).
– **Interactive talks and conferences** for schools (during school hours).
– **Open talks for the public:** “The Property Administrator: Your Ally in an Emergency” (Official College of Property Administrators) from 18:00 to 19:00 and “Science in Emergencies” (CSIC) from 19:00 to 20:00.
– **Film cycle**: “Active volcanoes of Macaronesia” starting at 21:00.

Tuesday, 23 September:

• Exhibition on volcanic phenomena and risk management, open to the public from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 15:00.
• Course on Personal Protective Equipment with Gases (General Directorate of Security and Emergencies) from 11:00 to 13:00.
• Volcanic Cafés and Science Meet-ups in Garachico: Kiosko de la Plaza de La Libertad from 18:00 to 20:00 with Dr. Carmen Romero Ruiz (ULL) discussing The Eruption of Arenas Negras (1706) and Dr. Javier Dóniz (ULL) on Volcanoes & Tourism.
• Film cycle: “Teneguía, the Friendly Volcano” starting at 21:00.

Wednesday, 24 September:

• Fire Prevention Days (Tenerife Fire Consortium and Brifor) from 10:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 18:00 at the Old Dock of Garachico.
• Exhibition of the drawing competition: “Volcanoes and Art” from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 15:00.
• Course on Personal Protective Equipment with Gases from 11:00 to 13:00.
• Talks: “New Approaches to Animal Care in Disasters: The Canary Example” (Official Veterinary College) from 18:00 to 19:00 and “Canarias, a Volcanic Window in the Atlantic” (Involcan) from 19:00 to 20:00.
• Film cycle: “Gran Canaria, an Island Shaped by Time” starting at 21:00.

Thursday, 25 September:

• Exhibition of the drawing competition: “Volcanoes and Art,” open from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 15:00.
• Course on Personal Protective Equipment with Gases from 11:00 to 13:00.
• Open talks: “The Insurance Compensation Consortium and Extraordinary Risks Insurance” from 18:00 to 19:00 and a talk from the Property Registrars’ College from 19:00 to 20:00.
• Volcanic Cafés and Science Meet-ups from 18:00 to 20:00 with Involcan researchers and Canary Islands universities.
• Film cycle: “Cumbre Vieja, a Land Forged by Fire” starting at 21:00.

Friday, 26 September:

• Audiovisual Space to monitor the Emergency Response Simulation from 09:00 to 14:00 at Plaza de Los Amantes and Plaza de la Libertad.
• Exhibition of the drawing competition: “Volcanoes and Art” from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 15:00.
• Urban geotourism routes in Garachico from 16:00 to 19:00 (starting point at the Old Dock).
• Talk: “Canarias, a Volcanic Window in the Atlantic” from 18:00 to 19:00.
• Film cycle: “Teide, the Sleeping Giant” starting at 21:00.

Saturday, 27 September:

• Exhibition of the drawing competition: “Volcanoes and Art” from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 15:00.
• Urban geotourism routes from 10:00 to 18:00 (starting point at the Old Dock).
• Musical performances: SON 21 and the BenGara dance group at Garachico Town Hall Square at 21:00.