Fireworks at the Continuation of the Oval
The pyrotechnician from La Laguna, Mr Carlos E. Pérez, has devised three “magical” boxes known as “the devil’s”, which, through a secret mine, explode to reveal a burst of fire in the shape of a bush. This display is accompanied by a substantial array of muted gunfire, leaving the space above filled with multicoloured stars. Each of these boxes contains three hundred and fifty shots, creating a starry sky effect; the explosions occur at intervals of several seconds and conclude with three grenades in various colours. Four disks, each one and a half metres in diameter, resemble the “full moon” and the “polar sun”, culminating in a silver granulated sun, followed by larger calibre explosive cartridges featuring brilliant Chinese and Japanese fire branches. This pyrotechnic display spans a distance of fifty metres. At the centre of the four disks, a decorated frame with blue dots appears, showcasing an image of the Most Holy Christ of La Laguna, painted on canvas and measuring approximately one and a half metres. Behind this image lies a three-metre circumference sun, composed of sixteen large calibre tubes. The suns from the disks ignite simultaneously with the central sun, accompanied by ten beams of gleaming Japanese fire, creating an archway that finishes with an aerial crown measuring one and a half metres in diameter, producing a powerful waterfall that forms a column of over one hundred metres.
Fireworks at the Portals
The pyrotechnician from Güimar, Mr Francisco Dávila, has prepared two palm trees of Roman candles, complemented by a stunning five-tier water fountain. Six aerial crowns and four electric suns accompanied by whistles contribute to the spectacle. Six large calibre tubes of gleaming fire form an archway, combined with a battery of electric serpents and a shower of both small and large rockets in various colours.
Fireworks at the Risco
The pyrotechnician from La Laguna, Mr Carlos E. Pérez, presents a six-metre-diameter star featuring the following combination: this star lasts seven minutes. It is ignited while on the ground and then rises slowly until it reaches six metres above the cliff. It first displays white, then red, followed by yellow, blue, and at its centre is a circular disk featuring the same variations in colours, different from those listed. Behind the star, there will be a discharge of twenty Roman candles with electric Argentine comets, concluding with a burst of silver fire. Six hundred dozen coloured and explosive rockets will be launched, alongside one hundred and fifty tricolour candles, fifty silver comet candles, twenty aerial wheels, and thirty electric mortars. Additionally, a battery of ten shots of electric comets and an equivalent amount of spinning torpedoes and devil’s drunks will be featured. Twenty-four electric-tailed rockets and twelve granulated and lightning rockets will also be launched, alongside twelve cannon rockets and six parachute rockets with multicoloured light worms. A fifty-metre-long firecracker will utilise four types of bombs. Moreover, the cliff will be illuminated in its customary manner over an extensive area, and the famous Volcano display will also create a stunning effect.”
Traditional fireworks were not interrupted during the republican period—as has been claimed—though they were during the civil war. Thus, the 1933 festival programme includes an extensive section dedicated to “Pyrotechnics”, which we reproduce due to its significance and the specialists it names.
“Although we believe that detailing the fireworks to be burned during these festive days is important, we find ourselves unable to do so due to the length of the commissions, wishing to provide a great surprise regarding their placement and new combinations that will surely be magnificent and visually striking.
The displays from “La Torre” will be a true showcase of pyrotechnics, in which the utmost care has been taken to ensure a surprising effect and are managed by pyrotechnician Mr Carlos Padrón.
During the thrilling moment of the “Entrada”, genuine innovations have been introduced, as this commission realises that this is the most significant event of our festivals, and did not hesitate for a moment to sacrifice all its activities to surpass customary standards in brilliance and appeal, managed by pyrotechnicians Mr Padrón, Mr Hernández, and Mr Rivero.
“El Risco”, which is ideally suited for showcasing pyrotechnic artistry, will this year offer a fantastic appearance with a multitude of combinations that will truly surprise, managed by pyrotechnician Mr Marcos Toste from Realejo. Additionally, it will be illuminated in the customary manner over a vast area, and the famous volcano effect will also be created.
The competition on the 13th is also set to be a great success as a special programme has been commissioned for this purpose, with pyrotechnicians Mr Padrón, Mr Rivero, Mr Hernández, and Mr Toste overseeing it.
Moreover, both in the various evening spectacles and in the competition on the 13th, as well as the festivities on the 14th, charming combinations from the renowned company “El Ingenio” of Barcelona will be featured.
Indeed, these were different times when fireworks in honour of the Most Holy Christ of La Laguna constituted the most important pyrotechnic display in the Canary Islands.
