1st Festival Canarias Klassico :: August 3rd-11th
Lanzarote and the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura are being served a serious slice of culture this month, with the inauguration of the first Canarias Klassico event.
This series of classical concerts are designed to showcase the talents of both local and international musicians, whilst also creating a cross fertilization of ideas between different musical genres and disciplines.
The Lanzarote dates all take place at the Teatro de la Villa Teguise – in the islands old capital city – and amongst the highlights are a performance on Friday August 10th, featuring some of the leading exponents of the traditional Canarian timple (a small ukelele like guitar) – such as Steve Diaz and M.A Negrin – alongside renowned Italian flautist Gionata Sgambaro. One of the first ever unions between these two very different musical instruments.
And on August 11th the stage is set for a the appearance of leading Hungarian cellist Peter Szabo and the Polish born and French trained pianist Frédéric Vaysse-Knitter, who is currently undertaking a Europe wide tour performing Bach´s Goldberg Variations.
All of the concerts start at 9pm and admission costs €10. For further information visit the Festival website.
Thursday August 3rd
Stockholm Royal Opera Woodwind Quartet
Friday August 4th
Virginie Robilliard and Frédéric Vaysse-Knitter
Thursday August 10th
Gionata Sgambaro and Steve Diaz
Friday August 11th
Peter Szabo and Frédéric Vaysse-Knitter
Fiesta de Nuestro Senora del Carmen :: Until August 12th
The fiesta of Neustro Senora del Carmen – one of Lanzarote´s biggest summer festivals – is now underway until August 12th. Featuing a full programme of events incorporating live music, Batacuda drum bands, Canarian wrestling and a funfair culminating in a fireworks display on Sunday 12th August.
The fiesta – which is in honour of the islands´ patron saint of fishermen – in fact takes place in various locations across the island from mid-July onwards. Occupying a special position amongst a whole raft of island wide summer festivals. But the main focus of the festival is in Puerto del Carmen – with the bulk of the activities taking place in the Old Town Harbour area.
Amongst the highlights are a Sand Sculpture Competition taking place on the main beach at Puerto del Carmen on August 5th, the Spanish Supermotar Karting Championship, being held at the Kartin track just outside the resort and the 11th Festival of Canarian Artisans, taking place from the 16th to the 19th in the Old Town Harbour. View further information and a full event timetable here.
Fiesta de San Gines :: August 14th – 25th
Lanzarote´s capital, Arrecife, plays host to the annual Fiesta de San Gines this month. In honour of the city’s patron saint.
San Gines was formerly the Bishop of Clermont. During the 16th century he was responsible for the construction of a small hermitage, now the Church de San Gines, that ministered to the nearby population of the small inland port area, called El Charco (also known locally as the puddle).
Legend has it that during the 1700´s a portrait of the Bishop appeared, floating on the waters of El Charco. And from that moment on the “porteños” (port dwellers) proclaimed him the Patron Saint of the city.
Whatever the truth of the legend it´s a great excuse for a fiesta. And during the daytime much of the activity is concentrated around the El Charco area itself, where traditional island sports such as Canarian sailing and wrestling are celebrated.
Folklore concerts are also held at the newly renovated El Kiosko, which looks surprisingly similar to a traditional British bandstand. El Kiosko is situated on the seafront just at the bottom of the main shopping street, Calle Leon y Castillo.
The whole event then culminates in a hugely impressive and extremely well attended fireworks display on the main beach, Playa El Reducto, on the night of the 25th.
Other event highlights include concerts featuring performers such as Shaila Durcal and La Mala Rodriguez. Plus the crowning of the Carnival Queen on August 15th – which will also feature an appearance from current island hero Walter. Recent winner of Spain´s very own version of the X Factor.
Tourists are very welcome to attend throughout and Arrecife is easily reached by public bus from both Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise.
