Tenerife Authorities Collaborate to Support Tejina Hearts Festival Traditions
Tenerife’s Island Council and the La Laguna City Council are collaborating to support the sustainable organization of the culturally significant Tejina Hearts Festival.
Tenerife is once again prioritizing the preservation of its local traditions, as shown by a new collaboration between the Island Council and the San Cristóbal de La Laguna City Council to prepare for the Tejina Hearts Festival. Since 2003, this event has been officially recognized as an Asset of Cultural Interest, highlighting its importance as a vital piece of Canarian heritage.
To organize the festival, the Island Council’s departments for the environment and emergency services have joined forces with various municipal teams from La Laguna. The group recently met at the La Tahona recreational area to gather faya—a type of plant material essential for building the festival’s iconic structures.
The true heart of the event lies in the community spirit it fosters. Three local neighborhood committees—Calle Arriba, Calle Abajo, and El Pico—work together to handcraft these elaborate displays. By assisting in the collection of materials like branches, flowers, and fruit, local authorities are ensuring that the festival remains sustainable and follows modern environmental regulations.
More than just a beautiful display, the Hearts Festival serves as a successful model of community-led tradition. Two decades after receiving official protected status, it remains a powerful example of how public support can help keep local culture and community spirit alive.