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THE BEST LOCAL FIESTAS & FESTIVE TRADITIONS IN TENERIFE

EASTER PROCESSIONS

One of the most deeply-rooted and devoted traditions in Tenerife is the celebration of Easter, which takes centre stage in La Laguna at this time of year.

The Easter Processions are always followed by a great number of churchgoers and general public including many tourists, who enjoy admiring the artistic nature of the religious statues even if they do quite not feel the religious fervour that spreads over the city.The "cofradias" are brotherhoods that carry the religious statues around the city to demonstrate not only their devotion to God, but also their cultural and social commitment to their town. They are made up of people from different neighbourhoods who pass on their membership and participation in the processions from generation to generation.

The most important processions take place from Maundy Thursday onwards. From this day, the city's churches exhibit their religious images during the day and most of the night. The most popular are The "Procesión Magna" on Good Friday at 5.00 pm and the "Procesión del Silencio" at 9.00 pm, also on Good Friday. Both processions leave from the Church of the Concepción. Other towns where Easter is an important celebration are Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Puerto de la Cruz, La Orotava, Icod de los Vinos, Garachico, Arona, Adeje, Los Realejos and Santiago del Teide.


THE NIGHT OF SAN JUAN

Many places in Tenerife celebrate the summer solstice, the night of San Juan, with traditional bonfires. Each town or village has its own special traditions, usually they involve fire and various customs to help you leave bad times behind and move on to better times by burning old objects.

In San Juan de la Rambla and Garachico, to the north of the island, this magic night is celebrated with "acoustic" fireworks and fireballs made from bags of sawdust. In Icod de los Vinos they also burn brightly-coloured wooden banners while on many beaches in Tenerife bonfires are lit and people wait for daybreak at the end of this very magical night.


ROMERIAS

The "Romerías" (Religious Processions) are one of the most typical traditions in Tenerife. They are directly related to the Catholic calendar of saints' days.

Local people accompany the procession of the patron saint of the town wearing traditional dress and riding in decorated wagons pulled by oxen.

There is also singing and dancing to music played by local folk groups. The procession passes along the streets of the town always attracting a large number of onlookers.Traditional food also plays an important role in these celebrations, which the local people are proud to share with visitors. Most towns and villages on the island hold a "Romería" each year.

DAY OF TRADTION IN CHIRCHE

Festive tradition of Guía de Isora, in Tenerife South. Day of Traditions in Chirche.Every year the small village of Chirche, in the southern district of Guía de Isora, celebrates a peculiar festival based on the daily customs of the village from the first half of the twentieth century.

The locals carry out jobs, do household chores and play children's games typical of that period. Craft workshops, exhibitions, Canarian wrestling and a street market selling local products complete this living museum.

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