The Carnival in Las Palmas (January 26th – February 20th, 2010)Back to the events list
The yearly carnival is a major event in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Unlike the usual carnivals which last on average for 3-5 days, this one extends for a whole 3 weeks, all the way to the beginning of the Lint. The culmination of the festival is marked by the Drag Queen Day.
The preparation for the carnival in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria takes almost the whole year: the people of the Canary Islands learn songs and make clothes and costumes. There is also a number of selection processes for dancing teams, musical ensembles, theatrical troupes, and other groups. The winners in each nomination are delegated for the Carnival in Las Palmas. At the carnival these selectees become the heart of the procession, they escort the queen and perform most of the shows in the streets for the carnival guests. The public is believed to enjoy the most the performance of the Murgas (the minstrels), their performances revolve around spicy jokes on social engaging topics. The people of the Canary Islands adore musical satire, for its depth and effects. By the end of every musical piece viewers manage to remember the chorus and usually sing along with the performing minstrels.
The selection of the Drag Queen is the main event of the Las Palmas Carnival in Gran Canaria. As a general rule, the participating claimants to the royal title must not only be in good physical shape but also have a wealthy sponsor, because the dresses can weigh up to 70-80 kilograms and cost up to 50 thousand Euros. Anything less than that is doubtful to gain enough attention. Generally, the dresses are made using peacock feathers, metal carcasses, glittering pieces, sequins, sparkles, and shiny beads.
Every next dress is announced before the owner enters the main stage in the central ark of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, called Santa Catalina. The whole ceremony is very pompous, filled with pyrotechnical breaks, fireworks, and other special effects. However, a truly beautiful dress does not guarantee the title of Drag Queen. The participants must also sing a song of their choice. Sometimes the efforts pay off with generosity. The Queen gets the honor of sitting on the main carnival platform during the street procession called Gran Cabalgata.
The procession is huge and colorful, composed of tens of thousands of masks and a multitude of musical bands. At time the carnival occupies the main streets of the city, demonstrating to all the viewers who sit patiently watching from the sidewalks. The procession transforms gradually into a true unobstructed fairy.
Sardine's Funeral is the most grotesque and bright carnival show. It notifies people that the carnival is coming to an end, and all the holiday fun is soon to be over. By the time the carnival ends the Lint will begin and all the non-restraining behavior will end with it. When Sardine is eaten by the flames – Las Palmas is sobbing in tears. The city is mourning the yearly death of the Carnival and the loss of Sardine, who symbolizes the spirit of love for freedom and tolerance in general. Sardine's funeral draws the border between the chaotic recklessness of the Carnival and the reservation of self-restraint during the Lint. This last event marks the point of return towards a normal flow of things in the life of the local people in the Canary Isalnds…until next year.
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