Tenerife will host the first international congress of carnivals.

The first international congress dedicated to carnivals will be held on October 16-17 in Tenerife, at the TEA art center. Representatives of famous carnivals from Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Venice (Italy), Cadiz, Barranquilla (Colombia), and Mindelo (Cape Verde) will attend.

There will also be guests from the carnival in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Düsseldorf (Germany), and from the "Burial of the Sardine" festival from Murcia.

The organizer is the Association of Designers and Artisans of the Tenerife Carnival, together with the Las Indias educational center. They will discuss how to make the carnival industry more professional, how to preserve carnivals as cultural heritage, and how to make them environmentally sustainable.

According to Tania Bethencourt from CIFP Las Indias, 35 speakers will present during the two days of the congress, divided into seven thematic groups.

Among them will be Alberto Ramos, director of the Department of Carnival at the University of Cadiz, and Alberto Gomez, head of the Barranquilla Carnival Foundation, which is a UNESCO Intangible Heritage Site.

The number of places is limited to 185 per day. Reports can be viewed online on the website of the Association of Designers and Artisans of the Tenerife Carnival.

The President of the Association, Santi Castro, emphasized that the congress will help carnivals become better, implement new ideas, train people, and create jobs.

The goal is for the carnival to continue to provide people with work while maintaining its uniqueness. The congress will be a place for discussions, exchange of ideas, and problem-solving.

Rosa Davila, President of the Cabildo of Tenerife, called the event "extraordinary," which will change the perception of the carnival. According to her, the carnival is not just a holiday, but also culture, creativity, talent, work, and economic development.

Davila added that the congress aims to show the people who make the carnival possible with their work and talent, as well as to discuss important issues and challenges.

The Mayor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, José Manuel Bermúdez, emphasized that "talent and creativity have names: designers and artisans" who create "the brilliance of our carnival." He welcomed the creation of their association.

Bermúdez noted the important role of educational centers in training future designers and emphasized the need to preserve the "positive atmosphere on the streets" and "traditional events" so that young people know the history of the carnival.

He also noted the participation of representatives of other carnivals in order to "learn from them" and not be ashamed to be an example for other cities. "We are often copied, and we have no problem with that."

He added: "Our carnival is the best in the world, everyone copies it, and we don't mind. The congress will help us learn from other carnivals that also strive to be the best."

Efraín Medina, Councilor for Employment, Education, and Youth in the Cabildo of Tenerife, stated that the congress is a "creative discussion" of sustainable development and professionalization of the carnival industry, as well as an opportunity to achieve "excellence."