Colors of Los Gigantes - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Los Gigantes is one of the most interesting and friendly resorts in the Canary Archipelago. Local people are known for a cheerful and welcoming nature, they like and know how to have fun. For tourists, their traditional holidays are among the favorite entertainments. Even without much reason, locals often gather to sing and dance. The main festive event for the city is the annual carnival that is usually held in March.

This holiday covers all the cities of Tenerife, however, Los Gigantes has special traditions of its celebration. The main actions are held in the central city square Plaza Buganvilla where open-air concerts and dance shows take place every day. The culmination of the carnival is the solemn procession along Avenida José González Forte. Representatives of the best dance groups of Tenerife join the procession in sumptuous colorful costumes.

Every year, city residents choose different themes for the festival. It may be devoted to traditional crafts, national music, culinary, and even modern subcultures. Local restaurants and art centers take an active part in the festival preparing special entertainments for visitors. During the carnival, you can visit craft workshops and learn how to create unique souvenirs with your hands. In many restaurants and right on the streets, chefs give culinary master classes and invite participants to try the best regional delicacies. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

An obligatory event of the festival is the election of the Queen. Winning this beauty contest is considered very prestigious. The traditional Los Gigantes carnival is aimed at a wide audience and participants. Interesting entertainments are always prepared for children. They will have a chance to take part in amusing competitions, try on bright carnival costumes, learn how to cook popular Canary dishes, and make beautiful handicrafts.

One can also get acquainted with the traditions and customs of Los Gigantes outside of large-scale celebrations. Local residents have long been accustomed to a large number of tourists, so they are always ready to introduce them to the subtleties of their lifestyle. In small restaurants, owners are always happy to chat with guests on neutral subjects. Locals are kind-hearted and simple in communication. They have a peaceful and unhurried character so it is hardly possible to hear any raised voices here.

The unhurried nature of the townspeople may seem quite annoying to many foreigners who are accustomed to the rapid pace of modern life. Such behavior and slowness should be treated with understanding and regarded as the manifestations of a national character. Punctuality is not peculiar to local residents too. They did not even know the meaning of this word 50 years ago. Local shops and restaurants got a stable schedule only with the development of the tourism sector. Nevertheless, lateness is quite typical of the natives even today.

Many tourists note that such a measured and leisurely lifestyle is pretty contagious. After just a few days, foreign tourists begin to behave like locals - do not worry about pushing problems and enjoy life. Like hundreds of years ago, one of the main livelihoods for the townspeople is the cultivation of crops. The island of Tenerife is famous for its fertile volcanic soils, so vegetable and cereal crops do not require special care here. Many plantations and farms are open for tours today. At such farms, guests are invited to see how vegetables and fruits grow, as well as learn how to care for pets and try the best farm products. Such tours are especially popular among traveling families.

For the townspeople, traditional dances and music remain an essential component of the national culture. Bright entertainment programs are regularly organized for tourists in all cultural centers and the surrounding villages. There is also a high chance to witness musical and dance performances in one of the local restaurants. Los Gigantes is known as a beach resort to most travelers. In fact, the benefits of vacationing here are not limited to beach entertainment alone. Tourists always have the opportunity to plunge into the culture of the indigenous people.