Tejina is getting ready for one of the biggest weeks in its calendar as the main celebrations in honour of San Bartolomé get underway.
The festivities began on Monday, 24 August, following several weeks of events, and now things are building towards the moment everyone has been waiting for… the unveiling of Tejina’s famous Corazones.
And if you’ve never seen them, they’re worth a look.
Three neighbourhoods, three giant hearts
The Corazones are huge, heart-shaped structures created by the three historic areas of Tejina: Calle Arriba, Calle Abajo and El Pico.
For weeks, residents work away preparing them, decorating the structures with fruit, flowers, bread and other materials.
What makes it even more interesting is that each neighbourhood keeps its design secret until the big reveal. So, naturally, there’s a bit of friendly rivalry involved too.
Nobody wants to spend weeks making a giant heart only to be outdone by the neighbours.
A tradition with deep roots
The Corazones are far more than colourful decorations for a fiesta. They are an important part of Tejina’s cultural identity and are recognised as a Cultural Heritage Asset.
The final weekend of August is expected to bring the biggest crowds, with processions, music, parrandas and plenty of activity filling the streets and main square.
The highlight will be when the three Corazones are paraded through Tejina before coming together in the church square, where hundreds of people gather to see the finished creations for the first time.
A week that brings the village together
Like many of Tenerife’s traditional fiestas, the celebrations are about much more than the official programme.
Families return, friends meet up, locals get involved and visitors come from around the island to experience one of Tenerife’s more unusual and colourful traditions.
Months of work go into making the celebrations happen, and this week is the payoff.
If you’re in the north of Tenerife towards the end of August, Tejina is likely to be a very busy place.