The streets of Puerto de la Cruz in Tenerife are buzzing with a circus show, clown comedy, parkour tours, storytelling, dance, and even an aerial acrobatics show this weekend. These varied activities have attracted hundreds of people to immerse themselves in art at the MUECA festival.
The 22nd edition of the international street art contest, happening from May 9 to 12, has painted the corners of this coastal municipality of north Tenerife with a wide array of performances by local and international groups, all sharing the goal of turning public spaces into their stages.
The festivities kicked off last Thursday with a literary market and a performance by ABUBUKAKA, a theatrical group composed of actors from the Canary Islands, presenting their latest piece titled “IGIC included.”
Through a series of short acts, ABUBUKAKA’s performance tackles current events in the Canary Islands, shedding light on social issues that were protested by thousands of Canarians on April 20 in simultaneous demonstrations across all islands. The performance addresses topics such as soaring rent prices and the negative impacts of mass tourism.
From Friday onwards, various groups from countries such as Brazil, Venezuela, France, Mexico, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua took to the stages set up in iconic spots around the city.
On Saturday, one of the most acclaimed shows was “Mirage (a day of celebration)” by the French company Dyptick, captivating more than a hundred spectators with an immersive performance combining traditional dances that transcended the stage’s boundaries, interacting with the audience, and navigating iron structures at various heights.
Similarly engaging was the performance “Lullaby” by the Spanish duo Proyecto Kavauri, acrobats and new parents who incorporate acrobatic stunts into a routine while tending to a fictional crying baby. They creatively include the baby’s pram in their act, highlighting the challenges of balancing parenthood and performance.
Other acts focused more on performance art, such as Canary Islands artist Celeste Ayus’ “Roots”, which delves into the pervasive presence of plastic in our lives while posing existential questions about our origins and future direction, urging a return to our roots in nature and the animal kingdom.
These performances were complemented by other displays like the Belgian acrobatic group Be Flat’s “Follow Me”, a unique journey along Puerto de la Cruz’s building facades, and musical showcases by Lajalada, Amber Window, and Alba Aceituno, inviting attendees to interpret their creations through dance.
The MUECA festival yet again proves its ability to attract art enthusiasts in all its forms, surprising visitors and tourists alike. It offers a day of sun, beach, and free shows along the coast of one of Tenerife’s most visited municipalities, bringing people together in celebration of the arts.
