Once again, the City Council integrates literary events with others, such as flower exhibitions, craft stalls, and gastronomic offerings, a decision that has faced criticism from the sector in previous editions.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife’s City Council, via its Department of Culture, has unveiled a series of activities planned for the celebration of International Book Day, in collaboration with the General Directorate of Commerce of the Government of the Canary Islands and the Culture Area of the Cabildo de Tenerife. This significant date, recognised by UNESCO, occurs on April 23, marking the anniversary of the deaths of two monumental authors in world literature: Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare.
Consequently, the capital’s town hall, through the Autonomous Agency of Culture (OAC) and the Municipal Library System, has devised a unique programme that spans an entire week, featuring events for all ages across various municipal venues. Additionally, from May 1 to May 4, the Book Fair will be held at the Paseo Domingo Pérez Minik within García Sanabria Park, with this year’s new feature extending it to the Rambla Paseo de Santa Cruz.
The Book Fair will showcase around thirty publishing houses and bookstores, transforming the space into a hub for readers, authors, and industry professionals. The event, hosted at García Sanabria Park, will feature a broad cultural agenda organised by the Cabildo de Tenerife, coinciding with the city’s founding festivities. Therefore, the customary showcase of flowers, crafts, and gastronomy will complement the literary offerings. Thus, once again, the City Council intertwines literary activities with others, a decision met with disapproval from the literary community in previous years.
Programme
Notable activities within the programme include guided visits to municipal libraries, creativity and narrative workshops, motivational talks, theatre for adults, and poetry recitals.
On Tuesday, April 22, at 9:30 a.m., the José Saramago Library in Añaza will host a guided tour for the Users of the Mayan Day I, in partnership with Radio ECCA. This event will showcase the various services and resources available in this library. For further details, please call 922 687 261.
On the same day at 11:00 a.m., the Central Municipal Library will conduct guided tours for three groups of 2nd-year students from IES Mayor Bernabé Rodríguez. This activity targets educational institutions, associations, and groups, which can request participation by calling 922 849 060 or by emailing [email protected].
Wednesday, April 23, at 10:30 a.m., will feature the “I am” workshop at the José Saramago Library in Añaza, a creative space designed for participants aged 60 and over. This workshop incorporates various activities such as games, group dynamics, songs, theatrical techniques, yoga, music, and crafts, aimed at fostering healthy and active ageing through storytelling, theatre, puppetry, and poetry. For more information, please contact 922 687 261.
At 5:30 p.m., the Central Municipal Library will host the sensory workshop “Story and art in a minimundo,” led by Alejandra Arbizu and María Roncel. Aimed at children aged 7 and above, this workshop aims to spark creativity through artistic expression and narrative. Interested individuals can register by calling 922 849 060.
Concurrently at 5:30 p.m. in the Central Municipal Library, will be the motivational talk “SacuDe,” presented by Javier Rosquete. This session addresses the prevention of emotional disorders through the examination of life narratives and is open to all attendees. Notably, 16 Eurocampus students from the Professional Certificate of Students with Special Needs (ACNEE) will be present. Those interested can register by calling 922 849 060.
The Municipal Museum of Fine Arts will be the venue for a poetic recital titled “I was shone” at 6:30 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling 922 849 060.
On Wednesday, April 23 and Thursday, April 24, at 10:30 a.m., the “Bibliguapada” activity will take place at the Central Library, involving roughly 100 1st and 2nd-year ESO students from IES El Chapatal. This involves a guided tour of the library alongside participation in creativity workshops and visual and written storytelling through illustrations, comics, and narrative games.
On Thursday, April 24 and Friday, April 25, at 11:00 a.m., the guided visits to the Central Municipal Library will continue for three additional groups of 2nd-year students from IES Mayor Bernabé Rodríguez. This activity, aimed at educational centres, associations, and groups, can be arranged by calling 922 849 060 or emailing [email protected].
On Friday, April 25, at 12:30 p.m., a breastfeeding workshop will be hosted at the José Saramago Library in Añaza, presented by health professionals from the maternal-child department of Añaza Health Centre. This workshop takes place every Friday within the library’s children’s room. For further information, please call 922 687 261.
On the same day, Friday, April 25, at 5:30 p.m., the “Family Stories” activity will unfold at the Central Municipal Library, presented by Fidel Galbán. This enchanting performance blends storytelling, music, puppets, and sensory elements, aimed at families with children aged 3 and above. Registration can be completed by calling 922 849 060.
Lastly, it is worth noting that the Municipal Library System will distribute books to all individuals using the lending service starting April 23.
Municipal Choir Initiative
This programme, with a legacy spanning over 30 years, continues to enrich our community’s cultural and educational landscape. During the week from April 21 to 24, various educational institutions will partake in activities organised by their respective schools, featuring the prominent presence of their school choirs from Voces Blancas.
Kicking off this series of events, the CEIP Choir Miguel Pintor will perform on Monday 21 at 12:00 p.m. On Tuesday, April 22, at 10:30 a.m., the CEIP TINCER Choir will enliven its events, followed by the CEIP Santa María del Mar choir at 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 23 will see the turn of CEO Bethencourt and Molina, set to perform around 12:00 p.m. Lastly, on Thursday, April 24, at 10:00 a.m., the CEIP Salamanca choir will take the stage, concluding this week of choral activities in the educational centres.
On Friday, a rehearsal for the commemorative event of the 80th anniversary of CEIP Ágora, formerly known as CEIP García Escámez, will take place, with the main event set for Saturday 26 morning.
On Wednesday, May 7, the CEO Bethencourt and Molina Secondary Choir will share their music with the patients and staff at the Virgen de los Dolores hospital. Then, on Tuesday 13, the School Choir of Blancas Voces from CEIP TINCER will also join in this initiative.
