The Queen of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival, Carla Castro, brought one of the island's most emblematic traditions to London, participating in the Adult Day parade of the Notting Hill Carnival for its 60th anniversary. Her costume, 'Icónica', designed by Alexis Santana, stood out with its over five-meter height, vibrant colors, and sparkle, offering a unique artistic and cultural expression to thousands.
The Queen's presence at this international event served as a meeting point for different ways of experiencing Carnival. The float, representing the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council and the Tenerife Island Council, provided a distinct artistic perspective within a parade characterized by music and Caribbean tradition.
“"Our Queen's participation in this grand parade is much more than a tourism promotion action: it is an opportunity to connect two cultural manifestations of enormous international relevance, which share music, creativity, diversity, and, above all, the ability to turn the street into a space for meeting and celebration."
Lope Afonso, Vice President and Minister of Tourism of the Tenerife Island Council, highlighted the connection between the two carnivals, calling it an opportunity for cultural exchange. He emphasized that 'Santa Cruz and Notting Hill are two great expressions of Carnival worldwide' and that Carla Castro's participation recognizes the cultural value of the Tenerife festival and its creative talent.
The mayor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Jose Manuel Bermúdez, stressed the importance of such promotional actions for the international profile of the city's carnival. Meanwhile, Carla Castro expressed her honor in representing Tenerife with 'Icónica', hoping it would inspire curiosity to discover the island and its offerings.
'Icónica' is a collective work of art, the result of the efforts of over 30 Canarian artists, including illustrators, architects, and artisans, led by designer Alexis Santana. Its creation involved significant logistical challenges for its transport and reconstruction in London.
This collaboration is part of a growing relationship between the two carnivals. Recently, Ian Comfort, president of Notting Hill Carnival, visited Tenerife and was part of the jury that selected Carla Castro as Queen.
The participation in the United Kingdom, a key tourist market for the Canary Islands, also served to showcase a different dimension of the islands beyond sun and beach, highlighting their culture, tradition, craftsmanship, music, and creativity.
