Taganana Festival Celebrates Anaga Massif Through Photography and Cultural Events
The seventh annual Taganana Festival is celebrating the culture and biodiversity of the Anaga Massif through a photography contest, a virtual exhibition, and a series of community-focused events held on August 21 and 22.
The Anaga Massif, a protected Biosphere Reserve, is once again the heart of Canarian culture following the results of the seventh annual Taganana Festival photography contest. The jury—made up of professionals Mary Carnero, Verónica González, and Marta Plasencia—awarded the 300-euro first prize to Morgane Ilin for her photo of a blue chaffinch. The 150-euro second prize went to Aitor Sosa for his image of a sunset in Benijo.
In addition to the top winners, the contest has produced a virtual exhibition featuring thirteen other works by photographers including Juanra Álvarez, Juan José Padrino Arvelo, César Afonso, Ana Hernández Grillo, Natalia Rehak, José Luis Fleitas, Juan Oliva, Carlos Javier Fernández, Ofelia Arco, and Jon Arrizabalaga. This amateur-friendly initiative serves as a visual record of the area’s biodiversity, architecture, and daily life, highlighting the festival’s goal of promoting the region through art.
The photo exhibition is part of the wider VII Taganana Festival, which takes place on August 21 and 22 between San Andrés and Taganana. Organized by Lasal Producciones and Carnero Comunicación, with support from groups like the Canarina Foundation and AFES Mental Health, the festival aims to support local economic growth alongside its artistic program. On Saturday, August 22, the event will host a meeting on local female entrepreneurship and feature the "El Mortero de Anaga" market, which showcases local crafts and products.
The festival also features cultural exchange opportunities, such as a Bantu percussion and dance workshop led by artists Lornoar and Michel Mbarga. Those interested in the workshop must register in advance. The event, supported by the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council, the Island Council, and the Government of the Canary Islands, aims to blend environmental awareness with community development. Further details are available through the festival’s official channels.