Cabildo de Tenerife Approves Christmas Event Contract
The Cabildo de Tenerife, through the Presidency department, approved a decree on the 14th of this month for the contracting of the Christmas festival. This festival was held in the last edition at the plaza adjacent to the insular headquarters in the capital of the Island. It has sparked controversy due to overlapping with the event also organised by the Santa Cruz City Council (as is the case for any other municipal council in the country), owing to the expenditure of €560,000 and its design appearing to favour very few companies, according to the Socialist opposition, which previously critiqued the “traffic chaos” experienced during that period in the capital due to the coincidence of events, compounded by the tram strike.
Artistic and Technical Requirements
The document emphasises from the outset that “it must be ensured that the artistic project contracted presents an original creative proposal linked to the performing arts, music, and entertainment, which may include a festive stage setting in the Cabildo plaza, appropriate music, costumes, presence of gift elements and festive products, audiovisual projections, and other activities and elements suitable for a Christmas celebration event.”
Moreover, it stipulates that “the successful contractor for the creation, production, and execution must have an artistic and technical team with experience in performing arts and production of events, in order to achieve the level of quality required by the characteristics and objectives pursued with the celebration.”
Justification of the Continuation of the Festival
Rosa Dávila justifies the continuation of the “festival” by citing the “convenience and necessity, once again, to develop activities in celebration of Christmas 2025, not only within the insular palace but also in the Cabildo plaza, bringing this celebration closer to the people of Tenerife. This is in light of new technical resources that can allow for the maximum utilisation of available spaces, with the aim of adapting this celebration to a contemporary format, along with festive decorations, music, and other activities for the enjoyment of families and the general public, making it innovative and highly attractive for all visitors to the plaza.”
Concerns Over Cultural Benefit
While it is stated that the aim is to “contribute, alongside the other municipal programmes for celebrating the Christmas festivities, to the tourism, cultural, and commercial boost of the Island,” it fails to mention that it is taking place only in one locality in Tenerife, the capital, which casts doubt on the overall benefit for the Island. It is highlighted that the artistic spectacle is deemed “innovative” and also emphasises the “enhancement of a public space with a decorative and lighting spectacle, all of which is appealing to residents and visitors.” However, it neglects to acknowledge that this pertains only to the residents or visitors of Santa Cruz.
Furthermore, it is claimed that there is a commitment to “innovation, sustainability, and the centrality of the Cabildo as the foremost institution of the Island through the use of efficient new technologies, and consequently, activities with tourism and commercial reach,” although once again, it makes no reference to the fact that the benefit is confined to a single municipality in Tenerife that also allocates a significant budget to Christmas festivities.
Modernising Christmas Celebrations
The decree, consisting of 194 pages, insists that “in these times and with the significant development of technologies, and thus the technical possibilities that allow for novel activities and a fresh approach, we must move towards implementing a new way of celebrating Christmas festivities, similar to those conducted in major cities across Spain and Europe. This initiative should also facilitate a closer relationship between this insular institution and the citizens, allowing them to cherish memorable moments during the Christmas season alongside family and friends.” However, it never points out that this celebration is only located in Santa Cruz and that some renowned celebrations, such as that of Vigo, are organised by local councils.
Completing the Offer of Local Councils
Nevertheless, it is immediately stated that “the aim of promoting and enhancing the culture of the Island, combined with the objective that the city where it takes place serves as a stage for quality culture, determines the necessity to complete the offer already provided by the Island’s municipal councils…” thereby acknowledging the supposed benefit of the initiative, albeit for a specific municipality. Furthermore, the decree makes it clear that the Cabildo feels unable to organise such an event using its own resources and justifies awarding the contract as a complete lot rather than fragmenting it.
Deadline for Proposals
Companies wishing to apply for this contract have 30 days to submit their proposals. Among the scoring criteria, the artistic project of activities has a maximum of 75 points, broken down as follows: the comprehensive artistic proposal, 25; the “original and cohesive narrative,” 5; original and integrated music, 5; original stage design and costumes, 5; the audiovisual proposal and its coherence with the narrative, 5; visual, sound, and technological innovation, along with the suitability to the architectural environment of the Cabildo, another 5.
The artistic human team is evaluated with a maximum of 25; relevant experience in artistic direction (a crucial aspect), 6; a multidisciplinary artistic team (music, dramaturgy, stage design…), 6; individual careers and team synergies, 5; inclusion of guaranteed quality profiles and/or emerging talents, 4; inclusion of profiles with a focus on equality and diversity in the overall project, 4. Additionally, there are 20 points allocated to technical production and feasibility, with sections such as “detailed technical equipment and overall approach” (8), a detailed timeline by task and responsibility (6), and sustainability, safety, responsiveness, and outreach measures (6).
The criteria are rounded off with “subcriteria,” such as “social impact and accessibility” (5) and “gender perspective and impact on the local environment,” also 5, along with the financial offer, which carries a weight of 25 points.
