Santa Cruz Carnival Sparks Debate Over Return of Public Telephone Voting

The Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council’s decision to bring back telephone voting for the 2027 Adult Carnival Queen Gala has sparked a fresh debate over the nature of the pageant. Costume designers and artisans have voiced strong opposition, arguing that public voting undermines the technical and artistic expertise that should define such a prestigious event.

The core of the conflict is the balance between public participation and professional standards. Designers fear that telephone voting—which can be swayed by social media followings or media campaigns—devalues the months of hard work and financial investment put into the costumes. However, Festivals Councilor Javier Caraballero defends the move, explaining that the public vote will act as a "fifteenth juror," accounting for 8% of the final score. The council maintains that this small percentage encourages spectator involvement without compromising the integrity of the results.

This decision marks a departure from the previous gala, which used a lottery system to select a popular representative. That method was intended to avoid the influence of digital popularity, but it was scrapped after the public complained that a single person could not truly represent the diverse opinions of the audience.

The City Council remains firm, insisting that the festival must evolve rather than rely on outdated formats. With the 2027 gala—themed around Ancient Rome—set for February 17, officials have confirmed that the new rules are final. As registration for Queen candidates opens on October 19, the ongoing disagreement highlights the challenge of balancing artistic rigor with the public’s desire to have a say in one of Spain’s most significant cultural events.