Festivals in Fuerteventura
April 11, 2010 by admin
Filed under Activities, Attractions
When selecting a holiday destination that’s perfect for you and your family, it’s important to consider exactly what you’re looking for. Do you want to spread out a towel under the sun and bask on a pristine sandy beach? Perhaps you’d rather fill your itinerary with museum visits and trips to historic landmarks that are unique to your destination. You’re likely to spend the bulk of your planning time plotting out things to see and do, so it’s easy to overlook the smaller details that could go a long way in determining just how memorable your holiday will be.
If you want to ensure yourself a truly special experience, you might consider planning your trip around celebrations and holidays that are important to the culture of your destination. The festivals in Fuerteventura, for instance, play a large role in the lives of the island’s natives, and have a lot to offer a curious tourist.
As with most places, Fuerteventura takes its religious holidays very seriously. Of particular note is their celebration of Holy Week leading up to the Easter holiday. Called Semana Santa by the natives, it represents an elaborate weeklong event filled with religious services, lush floral parades, and parties that peak on Good Friday. The strong Catholic presence on the island has a lot to say about how Easter is celebrated, and you might be interested in sitting in on one of the traditional church services on Easter Sunday. You’re likely to find it a spiritually moving capstone to a long and extravagant week, no matter your religious persuasion.
Some of the most internationally famous festivals in Fuerteventura revolve around music. You’ll find two major summertime musical events, beginning with Fuertemusica Music Festival in June. Held in the city of El Cotillo, this sonically diverse celebration brings in many famous bands from around Europe to play before enormous crowds of natives and tourists. A month later in July, you’re sure to enjoy the International Jazz Festival that sprawls throughout many locations on the island.
The festival rambles on for three weeks and plays host to a large number of talented jazz musicians from around the world. The period sees the greatest annual influx of visitors to Fuerteventura, and it’s no doubt owing to the festive environment fostered by this well-regarded event.