Archive for April 19th, 2014
Tenerife Says It With Flowers On Good Friday

There was no bunny at my door and not a chocolate egg in sight, well I hadn’t planned to stay in munching anyway. Giving The Passion in Adeje a year off I headed up to Icod de los Vinos, it was very quiet apart from the Drago tree area but just a stepping stone for me on the way to Santa Barbara to see friends George and Ingrid at the ARTlandya teddy bear and doll museum. We had a lovely few hours on the finca terrace with fruit, cheese, and home made bread. I was impressed to see that the last link in the ring road, El Tanque to Buen Paso was finally finished and awaiting inauguration, they have even created a nice plaza on top.

Guia de Isora was to be my easter treat, the Pascua Florida featured 16 flower sculptures around the town centre created by local and mainland artists. The white crosses of the Light Cavalry made a bold introduction as I left the main road and headed up towards the church plaza and tight surrounding back streets.

All of the works were themed around the easter story, the church surrounds were littered with crosses marked on the ground and clusters of apples with nails in them, this represented the Forgiveness Of Sin, very striking. It was nearly time for the early evening service so black suited men and women were heading for the church and a large brass band was arriving in small groups.

I set off on the trail of the sculptures around the tight back streets and was delighted with what I found, several other people were checking out the route and clicking photo. This was the fourth year of the display but this time it was on for three days and advertised much more. The windows of many houses had religious banners draped from the upstairs windows adding to the reverential feel and most of the works were tucked into alcoves and small alleys.

Suffering was a common theme and red featured prominently to represent the blood of Christ and the red of the Roman soldiers who carried out the crucifixion. A lot of work had clearly gone into weaving these inspiring sights together and despite their easy access they were being given the utmost respect. The exhibition is unique in Spain and I’m sure it will grow in importance each year, maybe they will be able to extend it through the whole of Semana Santa. Another spectacular addition to the attractions of Tenerife.