Cheers, confetti, and an abundance of delight filled the Fairgrounds of Tenerife’s capital yesterday as Sofia Rodriguez Martin was crowned the Children’s Queen of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2024. Sofia, adorned in the fantasy costume “My favorite little time” designed by Alexis Santana, represented the Golden Mile Playa de las Américas, and was crowned by the city’s mayor, José Manuel Bermúdez, at a gala brimming with surprises, where the court of honor for the festival’s first sovereigns was also selected.
The title of first lady went to Paula Alayón Mesa, adorned in the fantasy “While the stars shine,” designed by David Afonso, representing Betali Canarias SL and Espectáculos Alma Show. The second bridesmaid was Naisha Kripalani Dhankani, wearing the fantasy “I bring luck,” designed by Jonathan Suárez, representing Homebience SL, B On The Rocks, and Tandaoori Hut. Valentina Siverio Gil, adorned in the fantasy “Between games and doodles my pets have fun for a while,” designed by Ruymán Pérez Jorge and representing Carmotor, secured the position of third lady. Lastly, the fourth bridesmaid honor was obtained by Ainhoa Rodríguez Adrián, donning the fantasy “My Golden Ticket,” designed by Jorge González Santana, representing Broker Mediterráneo Insurance Brokerage.
Thirteen candidates graced the show, directed by Daniel Pages, which paid homage to the world of television, the theme of the Tenerife capital’s Carnival for 2024. The gala was hosted by presenters Jorge and Sergio, alongside Rafaela and Garrafa, two amusing puppets that entertained the children by aiding in the search for the previous year’s Children’s Queen, lost in the forest with her small plane.
The show progressed flawlessly, except for the glitch in opening the lines for the popular vote, which ultimately had to be canceled after discussions with the designers, when the website (carnavaldetenerife.com) was blocked, preventing viewers from choosing their queen.
The Tropicana children’s troupe set an enchanting tone, leading up to the first block of Children’s Queen candidates, who paraded their breathtaking designs to the applause of almost 3,000 spectators, filling the venue with excitement in anticipation of meeting the future children’s sovereign.
Subsequently, the choreographic groups of Loli Pérez and Yu-Funk set the rhythm, followed by the appearance of the second block of candidates, after which the group LS Tribu, winner of the choreographic group contest, performed, paving the way for the last showcase of candidates.
The collective performance of the choreographic groups concluded the three blocks of candidates, making way for the 2024 winning children’s murga, Redoblones, who graced the stage. Following their performance, all the children’s murgas joined in a collective performance, after which the children’s troupe Los Joroperos took to the stage, encouraging the audience to dance.
A whimsical sketch of fortune returned the presenters to the stage, enabling them to disclose the magic words that would determine the Child Queen, followed by the reading of the minutes and an invitation to the authorities for the highly anticipated moment: the coronation of the sovereign and her court of honor.
A jury, comprised of Pedro Raidel Remedios González, a plastic artist, painter, and creator; Antonio José Hernández Hernández, a journalist and presenter of Televisión Canaria; Agustín Jesús Quintero Gutiérrez, a character from the Mad Hatter Carnival; Lucía Jerez Rodríguez, a theater actress; Sandra de la Rosa Pérez, a graduate in Fine Arts specializing in Design and a teacher; María Julia Castro González, president of the Santa Cruz Artisans Association; and Paula Hernández Hernández, a designer specializing in Carnival trophies, selected the court of warblers.
Nerves and excitement filled the air as the thirteen candidates awaited the jury’s decision, which culminated in Sofía Rodríguez Navarro being crowned Queen.
