In anticipation The FU International Academy is planning a regular Sunday excursion to Santa Cruz to see CD Tenerife play.
In the meantime we are watching the news carefully and cheering them on, even if it is from our armchairs at home. If they make it there will be fireworks and dancing in the streets…. watch this space.
Check out their official website: www.clubdeportivotenerife.es
“¡Olé!” - New Flamenco classes for our students
Walk past classroom 4 on a Wednesday afternoon and you may be surprised to hear the clapping of hands and the rhythmic “clack, clack” of heels on the floor. Our Flamenco dancers are in session. What could be more Spanish?
Our professional teacher takes the students through the steps, all in Spanish, of course. We believe in living the language and this is a new addition to our free afternoon activities which has proved very popular with our students.
More News…
Tenerife is a small island but it has a surprising number of reasons to be world famous. Read on to learn about the largest sand carpet in the world and an event that features in the Guinness Book of Records.
One of the charming and colourful characteristics of Spanish culture is that the calendar is dotted with feast days and processions. A fiesta is not a fiesta without singing, dancing and fireworks; there is much merry making and no doubt a few hangovers the next morning. The religious processions are impressive and transport you to another era with their customs and pageantry.
Canarian people love to share their devotions and fiestas with visitors. Don’t forget to have your camera at the ready for some really colourful and unique images to show your family and friends back home.
Thursday 18th June - Feast of Corpus Christi and the “Alfombras”
During the month of June various towns around the island create elaborate “carpets” using flower petals, coloured rice or sand from the Teide. These carpets depict religious or topical designs which are eventually walked over by a procession of priests carrying the monstrance containing the Holy Sacrament.
The carpets of La Orotava are the most famous followed by those of La Laguna, in the north of Tenerife.
In La Orotava, the carpets are of an exceptional artistic quality and the pictures could be taken for a painting if you didn’t know they were made of sand. The most spectacular is the one in front of the Ayuntamiento or Town Hall, which covers an area of almost 2,000 sq m. The carpets in La Orotava are world famous and many people make a pilgrimage here every year. The town is just a 10 minute bus ride from Puerto de la Cruz.
Friday 19th June - Baile de Magos de La Orotava
The most famous dance is in La Orotava. In fact it features in the Guinness Book of Records as it is the largest collection of people wearing traditional costumes in the world - a big achievement for a small island.
Tuesday 23rd June - Noche de San Juan
This celebration gets the summer party season off to a good start with a beach party on the Playa Jardin in Puerto de la Cruz. This was originally a celebration of the summer solstice but is now dedicated to Saint John. Fire and water are an essential part of the ritual, symbolising the fundamental connection between man and these primordial elements of life. People dance round the bonfires to cast out evil and cleanse the spirit.
Picnickers bring their own candles and create circular shrines in the sand decorated with flowers; fortunes are told and wishes made… what will the next year bring? There are bands, children’s activities, dancing and theatrical shows. As it is a time of cleansing and renewal, at midnight the revelers take to the sea for a ritual cleansing of the body and soul. A breathtaking firework display rounds off the entertainment, but for those with staying power the party goes on until sunrise. This really is a night to remember but get there early to get your space on the beach. You will certainly learn one Spanish phrase at this event - ¡Viva, viva, viva San Juan! – Long live St John!
Wednesday 24th June - El Baño de las Cabras
This annual bathing of the goats takes place early in the morning on the small beach by the port. The origins of this ritual are not known but is believed to go back as far as the indigenous people of the island, The Guanches, who brought their animals down to the sea to wash them to get rid of parasites and help the healing of any skin wounds. It is certainly amusing to watch as the goatherds attempt to dip their entire herd in the water, some animals more willing than others…
15 th June Romeria in Granadilla
30th June Romeria in Tacoronte
A Romeria is the name for a pilgrimage but it is far from a solemn occasion. The townspeople, dressed in traditional costume, follow colourfully decorated ox carts through the town playing music and dancing. On the back of the carts are barbeques, and if you are lucky you will be handed some tasty snacks as they pass by.
Be part of Spanish life…
Our Spanish language courses take place in the morning so you will have all afternoon and the weekends to enjoy the island. When you come and study at the FU International Academy you will be sure of a warm welcome. We will tell you more about local events during your stay…we look forward to seeing you soon.
