The festival, scheduled for May 9 at the Parque Marítimo de Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is organized by Lifepro Nutrition, a food supplement brand. The controversy stems from a prominent commercial representative and ambassador of this brand, who is also the leader of an eviction organization. Furthermore, the executive director of the organizing company has promoted enrollment in this organization's club on social media, whose website is sponsored by the festival's company.
The Tenerife Tenants' Union criticizes Canarian institutions for allegedly “whitewashing” those who, according to them, “profit from intimidation.” They describe the event as a “propaganda showcase for companies that are the economic backbone of the most violent far-right,” and an “insult to the working class,” especially when “thousands of families live under the constant threat of eviction and housing precariousness.”
“"At this point, we cannot call it an oversight; we must call it collaborationism."
The Vice-Ministry of Sports of the Government of Canarias has confirmed its collaboration with the event through a “sports sponsorship contract amounting to 14,900 euros.” They explained that these contracts require a return on investment report to justify their impact. The Ministry defends its support by arguing that the festival “meets the requirements and objectives they promote,” such as physical activity among young people, and has declined to comment on the signature collection.
For its part, the Cabildo de Tenerife has chosen not to respond to questions, while the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council has referred to a statement from the organizing company. In this statement, Lifepro Nutrition asserts that the event is “strictly sporting with no political ideologies” and that the relationship with the leader of the eviction organization “is exclusively limited to the 2024 edition,” denying any link to the event's management or organization. However, the statement is not available on the festival's website or social media, and the organizing company continues to sponsor the eviction organization's website.
The Tenerife Tenants' Union has also pointed out that this sponsorship adds to a trend of Canarian institutions “promoting and contracting far-right groups and personalities,” mentioning contracts with other media and the participation of far-right influencers in promotional events for Canarias.
