Fiesta of the Hearts of Tejina
Return: 050[La Laguna], 015[Santa Cruz], 111[Las Americas] to Las Chafiras, 470[Granadilla] to Los Abrigos (Fares €1.15, 0.10 and €4.80, 0.10 total €6.15).
Friday evening saw the Spain Freestyle Motocross championship at Tegueste Football Ground, I had travelled this bus route earlier in the year to see their Romania, followed on Sunday by a trip to Tejina for the 'Hearts of Tejina' fiesta which is the subject of my photo album. The first couple of photos are of an oil tanker delivering to the airport off La Tajita beach which I had described on my 'El Medano' blog. The journey proved to be an easy one with each bus almost due to depart as I arrived at each destination. As the town was closed to traffic the bus dropped us at the roundabout at the bottom of the hill necessitating a walk up to the town square. The signpost on the roundabout proclaimed that Punta Hidalgo was 5km away which is the farthest point due north as you look on the map on the Timetable page, once I have completed that run then I will have explored the farthest extremities of the island and areas in between all by bus! Back to the reason for my visit to Tejina (pronounced Tahina) today. The 'Hearts' fiesta is unique to Tejina and, I believe, one other town in Spain.
It takes place on the Sunday following the feast of San (Saint) Bartolomé on the 24th August. As is usual with these events a large firework display and much revelry took place the night before (Saturday). When I arrived at midday large crowds were already gathered in front of the church when suddenly a procession behind me continued up the road past the church. It was lead by children waving large flags then a group of men bearing a large flat object and followed by a large band of musicians and followers all dressed in yellow tea shirts and hats. This turned out to be the first of the 'Hearts'. The festival consists of a competition between the 'Corazones de Tejina' or main districts of the town, Calle de Arriba (orange), Calle de Abajo (yellow) and El Pico (white and green). The three districts compete against each other in secret to create the most beautiful heart made from beech branches, flowers, fruit and vegetables and other decorative items made from pastry. These Hearts can way as much as 800 kilos, after they are paraded around the town they arrive in front of the church to be blessed by the Saint. They are then hauled up onto three large wooden crosses, no mean feat in itself and will remain there until the following day when the fruit and flowers are auctioned off and it is considered a great honour to obtain any part of these beautiful creations. Once the Hearts were in place for everyone to admire the fairground next to the church burst into life as did the bars and restaurants. I was enjoying my lunch when, at about 13:30 I realised that there was more activity in front of the church, San Bartolomé was about to proceed around the town lead by the priests and dignitaries and followed by a large town band. Whilst the procession was under way I managed to have a look around the very beautiful church. The Saint arrived back and I took a photograph to show how hard it is to manoeuvre these Saints for these processions. Once back at the church door and facing the crowd there were again three cheers for San Bartolomé before retiring inside. The afternoon became a relaxed affair with good wine, good food and all the fun of the fair. A very intimate, relaxed day out and something very different.
 |
| Tanker at La Tejita beach near El Medano |
Buenos Noches
Comments
Post a Comment