The Carnival of Fuerteventura in La Oliva, organized by the Department of Events of Ayuntamiento of La Oliva, was a grand spectacle in 2023. Locals and travelers alike were sporting colorful and creative costumes, with all ages from 1 to 90 years old participating in the festivities.
The culture of the Canary Islands, including the Majorero culture of Fuerteventura, is one of happiness and a carefree attitude towards life. People live with a smile and encourage others to do the same by being humble, compassionate, and welcoming. This spirit was evident during the carnival, as people came together to celebrate in a joyous atmosphere.
The carnival started in the main street at the start of Corralejo, near the water park, and continued towards the ground behind the Centro de Salud and Parada de Guaguas of Corralejo. It was a colorful and lively procession that showcased the creativity and enthusiasm of the participants.
The former mayor, Isai Blanco, was dressed in a costume inspired by Egyptian mythology, adding to the excitement of the event. The current mayor, Pilar Gonzalez, and her team at La Oliva, along with the frontman Marcelino Umpierrez who heads culture and programation of events, did an exceptional job in organizing the carnival and making thousands of people happy.
Another highlight of the Carnival of Fuerteventura in La Oliva was the Carrozas de Carnaval, creatively modified vehicles specifically designed for the carnival. Each carroza had a different theme, such as Egypt, The Lion King, Mexico, and Pirates, and featured a bar and barbecue on wheels, a dance floor with a DJ, and people dancing in and around the carrozas throughout the town. It was a spectacular sight to see.
The carnival in Corralejo ended on March 12th, 2023, with the procession of the sardine entierro. This tradition, which mixes the carnival parody with the funeral burial of Catholicism, marks the end of the carnival and the beginning of the solemnity of Lent.
The Entierro de la Sardina, or burial of the sardine, is a ceremony that announces the end of the carnival with a procession characterized by the ironic mourning of the attendees and the final burning of a figure of a sardine. It is a symbolic burial of the past that allows for a rebirth with greater strength. This year, the current mayor, Pilar Gonzalez, participated in the entierro, adding to the festive spirit of the event.
If you want to experience the spirit of the Carnival of Fuerteventura in La Oliva for yourself, be sure to mark your calendars for next year’s festivities. In the meantime, you can stay connected with the culture and lifestyle of Fuerteventura by subscribing to Fuerteventura Times, a lifestyle magazine that shares stories, news, and inspiration from the Canary Islands to the world.
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If you missed out on the carnival, you can still catch a glimpse of the festivities by subscribing to the YouTube channel and newsletter of the Ayuntamiento of La Oliva.
Fuerteventura Times is a lifestyle magazine from Fuerteventura that shares stories, anecdotes, news, and inspiration from the Canary Islands to the world. It is a great way to stay connected with the culture and lifestyle of this beautiful island.
To view short about the carnival, click the button
A special thank you, photographer Černauskas Dovydas, for the wonderful photographs.
