The May Festivities of Los Realejos this year feature an extensive programme with over 80 activities. The most popular events will be the Crosses and Fires festival from the night of 2nd to 3rd May, the Baile de Magos on the 18th, and the Pilgrimage on the 26th.
The Mayor of Los Realejos, Adolfo González, the Councillor for Festivities, Isabel Socorro, and the parish priest of the main church of Santiago Apostle in Realejo Alto, Ángelo Nardone, presented this Friday at the temple’s doorstep, in Plaza Viera y Clavijo, the schedule for the May Festivities, before raising the flag of the celebrations at the Town Hall with the 2023 pilgrim, Lucía Rodríguez González, and the one who will deliver the opening speech this Saturday, the photographer from Realejo, Isidro Felipe Acosta.
The proclamation will take place at Plaza Viera y Clavijo at 9:00 pm on Saturday, with the participation of the Mayor of Los Realejos and the presentation of the 12 candidates vying for the title of 2024 Romera Mayor, represented by different local community and cultural entities. During this event, their order of participation in the selection gala on 11th May will be drawn. The event will also feature a performance by the group Entrevoces to liven up the night.
Snapshot from last year’s pilgrimage to Los Realejos. / Andrés Gutiérrez
Also this weekend, at 5:00 pm on Saturday, the III Asomadero Vertical Race will kick off from Calle El Sol. Later, at 7:00 pm, a mass will be held at the Santiago Apostle Parish and the Holy Cross will be transferred to the sanctuary. This opening day also includes the performance of Cantan Mujeres, the first show of the Teatrejo Festival, which will run until 1st May with a total of six performances.
The mayor of Realejos emphasised that “it is time to honour who we are, look within, and celebrate folklore and traditional dress in a month of festivities that starts with the hoisting of the May Festivities flag, led by the voice of Samuel Fumero from Realejo and will end after the Feast of Our Lady of Los Remedios on 30th May, the day of Canary Islands“.
The mayor of Realejos emphasised that “it is time to honour who we are, look within, and celebrate folklore”
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“I take this opportunity to invite all the residents of the municipality to enjoy these festivities, to do so as we know, by reviving traditions, wearing traditional clothing, and staying true to the campaign of How it should be. So that both the locals and visitors see us in a positive light, as well as encouraging everyone from outside the municipality to come and discover Los Realejos through its festivities,” added Adolfo González.
Isabel Socorro outlined the more than 80 festive activities included in the programme and stated that “all the events held in May are in honour of the devotional milestones concentrated within this Main Parish of Santiago Apostle”. She added that the Town Hall decorates all these religious days with our programme developed by the areas of Culture, Sports, Agriculture, Tourism, Security and Emergencies, and Festivities, in addition to the Municipal RealServ Services Company.”
On the other hand, Ángelo Nardone, the parish priest of the Church of Santiago Apostle, mentioned that “the connection with faith and the religious essence of these celebrations revolving around The Cross, San Isidro, Santa María de la Cabeza, and Our Lady of Los Remedios should not be lost, marking the most important dates and festivities of the month of May”.
The twelve candidates who will present their candidacy for Romera Mayor of the May Festivities 2024 are: Alicia Dóniz (Cultural and Recreational Association Los Cochineros), Miriam Hernández (Cultural Association of Carnaval Nira), Evelyn Dóniz (Sociedad Casino Cruz Santa), Andrea Delgado (AA.VV Buenos Vecinos), Daniela García (Fiestas Committee El Horno), Valeria Linares (AA VV Tigotán), Idoia García (AA VV Santa Marta), Andrea Pérez (Sociedad Círculo Viera y Clavijo), Sara Domínguez (AA VV Viera y Clavijo), Elena Hernández (AA VV Campo Verde), Nayara Fariña (AA VV Dos Palmeras) Danna Indira Delgado (AA VV La Barca).
The programme features over 80 initiatives of a religious, cultural, popular, sports, and charitable nature, with a special mention of the day of encounter with Canarian popular culture dedicated to the youngest ones, such as the Children’s Baile de Magos, scheduled for the afternoon of 28th May.
Photo taken during last year’s pilgrimage to Los Realejos. / Andrés Gutiérrez
Here are the main events of the May Festivals in Los Realejos:
Crucifixes and Fireworks (2nd and 3rd of May): The main days of the May Festivals in Los Realejos are celebrated on the night from the 2nd to the 3rd of May. The Day of the Cross arrives, a unique celebration that commemorates the historical rivalry between Calle El Sol and Calle El Medio Arriba with one of the largest fireworks displays in Europe lasting 3 hours.
Bell Ringing Ceremony (15th of May): On Wednesday, the 15th of May, the feast day of San Isidro, the bell ringing ceremony and fireworks display will take place. In the afternoon (19:00), there will be a mass and the “Romería Chica,” where different groups participate with carriages and impromptu music bands. This will be followed by a popular dance in Plaza Viera y Clavijo performed by the Swing Latino Group.
Magic Dancers Ball (18th of May): The Magic Dancers Ball will take place on Saturday, the 18th of May starting at 22:00, with different areas: Plaza Viera y Clavijo, Los Remedios Avenue, and Tenerife street.
Cattle Fair (25th of May): The bustling Cattle Fair will be held on the 25th of May at 10:00 at Finca El Llano. On the same day (21:00), in Plaza Viera y Clavijo, the 49th Island Festival will take place, representing the eight Canary Islands through various performances.
Pilgrimage (26th of May): The Pilgrimage in honour of San Isidro Labrador and Santa María de la Cabeza is one of the main attractions of the Los Realejos May Festivals. This year, it will happen on the 26th of May at 12:00, following the Canary Mass performed by Tigaray. At 18:00, the saints will enter the parish of Apóstol Santiago, accompanied by chácaras, flutes, and drums played by the Sabinosa Folk Group from El Hierro.
Remedios Monday (27th of May): On the 27th of May, there will be the traditional bell ringing, Angelus prayer, and fireworks (12:00). Later, there will be a solemn religious celebration (19:00) at the Church of Apóstol Santiago in honour of Our Lady of Los Remedios. Following this, there will be a procession with the sacred image along the usual route.
