A popular event for both residents and tourists

Yellow Pages Furniture   Suzane Décor Tenerife Furniture

Therefore i'ts not too surprising to find that in predominantly Catholic countries the acts and ceremonies that take place during this holiest of weeks are highly significant.

While some European countries keep their religious rites almost exclusively in-house in a sense, within the confines of churches and cathedrals, Easter in Spain is very much a public affair, with highly emotional marches and processions in many towns and cities throughout the peninsula and here in Tenerife.  And while international attention generally focuses on the very solemn processions with the hooded brotherhoods carrying statues through the streets of Sevilla and other peninsular Spanish cities, the Canary Islands also has its centres of public devotion. One of those very open displays of faith takes place in Adeje in South Tenerife, when, after months of dedicated rehearsing, hundreds of locals act out Jesus' last days and torment of the crucifixion.  The theatre is the main street of the town, and is a hugely popular event for both residents and tourists, and takes place on the afternoon of Good Friday. 

Adeje's mayor, José Miguel Rodríguez Fraga, told Island Connections, “Easter week is something that is important all over Spain, a series of  events and street acts, and Adeje has for many years had its own particular celebrations, which have improved greatly in recent times. 

“The central event, which is the representation of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, on Good Friday, through the streets of the town, is hugely important for residents, with a lot of them taking part, and converts Adeje, in a sense, into a mini-Jerusalem.  We hold the event in very high regard,  we are very proud to be able to take part in a community act of this nature. It is a very important part of our culture and our history”

But for many, especially those coming from other very Roman Catholic countries, where religion and a holiday spirit rarely mix, especially during the commemoration of the tragedy of the crucifixion, it's perhaps somewhat odd to see the celebration of something highly religious in such a holiday spirit?

“Yes, in principal Easter week has always been a very religious event, but in modern times we have also become a holiday destination”, explained the mayor. “So we are, in a way, giving people a double offer, for those who want to celebrate the religious side of Easter, and for those who want to holiday in a top tourist destination and enjoy a cultural offering at the same time its a plus.”

So to experience Easter in Adeje there is no better place to be than the main street of the town.  We advice you to get there early, wear sun tan lotion, bring a sun hat and plenty of water, and be prepared to be moved.

Gallery: Adeje – a mini Jerusalem

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