Candelaria Council to Oppose February 2 'Tenerife Day'

This Friday, the Candelaria City Council will officially oppose the decision to make February 2 'Tenerife Day.' This move was put forward by the island's government, known as the Cabildo. Reports suggest that the city council will discuss and likely approve a proposal from the socialist party, which holds a clear majority. This proposal strongly rejects sharing February 2 with any other celebration, as this date is very important to Candelaria, often called the 'Villa Mariana.' The proposal, signed by PSOE spokesperson Manuel Alberto González, stresses that February 2 should remain solely for the Feast of the Virgin of Candelaria, who is the Patron Saint of the Canary Islands.

The city council's proposal argues that making February 2 an official island day is a 'deeply mistaken' decision. This is because it falls on a date that already holds great popular and religious significance. The document calls for the events related to the Patron Saint of the Canary Islands in Candelaria to be protected. It urges the Cabildo to find a different date that doesn't conflict with the historical, religious, and cultural importance of this tradition. The proposal also warns that the Cabildo's plan could cause 'symbolic confusion' and 'harm' to a celebration that is a key part of Canarian identity.

Candelaria's mayor, Mari Brito, had already hinted at this official opposition, publicly sharing her worries on February 9. She previously stated that choosing February 2 was illogical. She argued it might wrongly lead people to think the Virgin of Candelaria is the Patron Saint of Tenerife, when in fact, it's the Virgin of Los Remedios. Mayor Brito highlighted that this decision impacts the Patron Saint of all Canarians. She believes there are many other dates available to celebrate Tenerife Day without causing such a clash of symbols.