Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Santa Cruz Celebrates Nonexistent Anniversary
Yes, you read that right. The town hall in Santa Cruz in Tenerife is, apparently, making the final preparations to celebrate the 186th Anniversary of the city being declared the capital of the Canary Islands, which in 1822 was one single province.
These festivities, on Sunday, January 27th, will be held in the Plaza de San Francisco, before the monument (see photo) to José Murphy y Meade (1774-1841), who was [obviously] of Irish decent and "Tenerife's most famous early 19th century politician who fought for economic independence of the Canary Islands and for Santa Cruz to be recognized as the capital of the islands." [Source.]
But, never mind that Santa Cruz is not still the capital of the Canary Islands and now only capital of the western province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife since the two were split in two in 1927. I'd be tempted to suggest that there's some Irish logic in here, because surely, this would be the same as me celebrating my 30th wedding anniversary this June, even though I got divorced in 1982? :)
The thought of celebrating the divorce instead crossed my mind too. As it did the folk in Las Palmas in Gran Canaria, who celebrated the split last September, which is probably what gave Santa Cruz the, lets be honest, daft idea.
Then Tenerife already has some weird fiestas and even stranger reasons for celebrating them, and as El Dia suggest, "Everyone, without doubt, can celebrate what they estimate to be adequate and convenient."
Celebrations Should Be Fun?
Well, we think so, if you want people to take some interest and, history shouldn't be forgotten. So also forgive me for saying that here's an event I won't be submitting to this list of January Holidays You Don't Want to Miss: The Good, the Bad & the Unbelievable. Well, maybe under the last two categories.
Nothing wrong with honouring Mr Murphy again, but it's some of the other items in the service that bother me. We expect the mayor to speak, the band to play and the historical reference added. There is to be an interpretation of the Himno de Canarias (Canarian Anthem) and another of the Spanish National Anthem (hopefully without the officially scrapped, divisive words.)
That last aside, what kind of person spends their Sunday reading out loud the whole of the document of the "original concession as capital"? I'll tell you who; the mayor's First Lieutenant, Ángel Llanos. This is the same man who made himself (in)famous over his, shall we say, not quite accurate pronouncements about Elton John coming to Tenerife. Well, reading an historical document should make for an increase in accuracy, but I dread to think what they have lined up for the 200th Anniversary: for fun they might read it twice! :)
