Sea Of Salt
Corpus Christi
Sunday June 10th
Corpus Christi is Lanzarote´s most colourful festival. The event is celebrated across the island, but the best place to take it all in is Arrecife.
Corpus Christi is an important Catholic holy day – marking the Eucharist. On other Canary Islands such as Tenerife flowers are used to create intricate carpets in the streets, often depicting scenes or stories from the Bible.
But on Lanzarote dyed salt is used instead. Primarily because of the island´s arid and sometimes windy climate. On the Sunday afternoon of Corpus Christi (the 10th this year) islanders create incredibly intricate carpets of salt, in elaborate and colourful designs, all along the roads and pavements around the Church of San Ginés in Arrecife.
A procession then emerges from the Church, proceeding through the streets and across the carefully crafted carpets.
Arrecife is the best place to view this festival – but similar celebrations are also taking place in Costa Teguise and Tias.
It´s A KnockOut
Spanish Supper Middleweight Boxing Title
Saturday June 9th
The Cuidad Deportive in Arrecife hosts the Spanish Super Middleweight championshop this coming Saturday June 9th. As the 25 year old, local born aspirante, or challenger, Alexis Callero, takes on the Galician title holder, Oscar Lopez.
Expect fireworks as these two have a bit of previous history, with Lopez pipping Callero to the title in their last bout on points. The action gets underway from 8pm and tickets can be booked by calling 658 987 217.
Fiery Fiesta
Festival de San Juan
Saturday June 23rd
San Juan is one of Lanzarote´s most atmospheric fiestas. The event is essentially a celebration of the summer solstice, or longest day. And, unlike most island based fiestas and festivals therefore has its roots in paganism rather than Catholicism.
San Juan could almost be likened to Lanzarote´s version of bonfire night. Minus the fireworks and the freezing cold weather.
As night falls, big fires are lit all over the island. Many communities will build a bonfire in their street and huge piles of wood are also lit in public spaces and on beaches. Creating a glowing and smokey spectacle.
People gather round the bonfires and more macho spectators even attempt to leap the flames. Celebrations are particularly pronounced in the northern part of the island, as San Juan is also the patron saint of Haria.
Full Board
Windsurfing World Cup
From June 30th
One of the biggest annual events in the world windsurfing calendar takes place in Costa Teguise at the end of June. As the PWA Windsurf World Cup gets underway from June 30th to July 7th.
The sports biggest names, such as Kevin Pritchard and Canarian daredevil Jonas Ceballos, will be battling it out in both the freestyle and slalom disciplines – with the action taking place in and around the main beach in the resort, Las Cucharas.
On Screen
Tristram Shandy
Thursday June 21st
The chances to enjoy an English language movie on the big screen are few and far between on Lanzarote. But El Almacen in Arrecife continues to come up trumps with their regular film nights. And this month cinema goers can enjoy the much acclaimed 2006 release, Tristram Shandy – A Cock and Bull Story.
Directed by Michael Winterbottom, Tristram Shandy stars Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon in an adaption of Laurence Sterne´s 18th century novel, The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman.
The film has been widely acclaimed as one of the best comedy releases of 2006 and the screening takes place on Thursday June 21st at 9pm.
Windsurfing Photo © James Mitchell, Corpsu Christ Photo © teguise.com
