La Laguna Council Faces Backlash Over Removal of Tenerife Symphony from Festival Program

The San Cristóbal de La Laguna City Council’s decision to remove the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra (OST) from the Santísimo Cristo Festival program has sparked a political row. The local Popular Party (PP) notes that this move breaks a tradition of performances dating back to 2003, disrupting one of the city's most established cultural events.

Juan Antonio Molina, spokesperson for the PP, has questioned the change, arguing that replacing the world-renowned OST with the newly formed La Laguna Symphony Orchestra—an ensemble created by the city council—lacks any real cultural or technical justification. The PP also points out a shift in funding: while the OST’s performances were supported by the Tenerife Island Council, the new orchestra will be funded directly by the city, increasing the burden on local taxpayers.

The debate goes beyond music and into how the city manages its cultural identity. While the local government wants to promote its own new project, the opposition argues that both orchestras could have performed side-by-side. The PP views the decision to drop the island’s orchestra as a political mistake that creates an unnecessary conflict between tradition and innovation.

The Popular Party is now urging the city council to reconsider, arguing that it is possible to support new artistic projects without abandoning the festival's historical legacy. The controversy highlights a common tension in local government, where the desire to build a unique identity often clashes with the preservation of long-standing traditions supported by regional institutions.