Salt from Fuencaliente will create Adeje’s Corpus carpets
Up to seven thousand kilos of salt, marmolina, sand and volcanic earth will be used to create the carpets
This weekend (Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June) the traditional salt carpet making will take place in the Calle Grande and Calle Corpus Christi in Adeje. This year, the Adeje has purchased about seven thousand kilos of salt from the salt mines of Fuencaliente, La Palma. In this way, says the councillor for culture, Adolfo Alonso Ferrera “we are contributing to the on-going rebuilding of our sister island which, after the volcanic eruption a few years ago, still needs economic assistance, and what better way than by acquiring local produce”.
This year there are more individuals and group than last year registered to participate. Adeje Town Hall stresses the importance of preserving traditions and encouraging participation in cultural events. The salt carpets are ephemeral works of art that are created with care and dedication by so many different people and groups each year.
The people who take part will begin their work on Saturday afternoon, from five o’clockonwards, and continue until late at night, so that at dawn on Sunday, the streets of the municipality will be embellished with these multi-coloured tapestries. The making of the carpets requires careful planning and co-operation between participants.
Sunday will begin with mass in the parish church of Santa Úrsula at 11am. This will be followed by the procession of the Blessed Sacrament through the carpeted streets. During the procession, the local authorities, the public and the Adeje Patronal Band will accompany the Blessed Sacrament.
The carpets that will be made will measure 3 x 4 metres and will cover the almost 300 metres of Calle Grande and Calle Corpus Christi. This year, as well as salt, sawdust, marmolina, sand and volcanic earth will be used.
Participating groups this year include children making their confirmation and communion, parish groups from Los Olivos and Armeñime, the Porteadores de la Virgen, Balonmano Costa Adeje, Volunteer Firefighters of Adeje, AMPA Los Captus, El Galeón and Pelinor, Asociación Autismo Sur, Club Montañero Abinque, Colegio Costa Adeje, the Walk for Life /Carrera por la Vida foundation, member of the Adeje seniors and youth clubs, Colegio de Las Torres, and Agrupación Socialista de Adeje among many others.
Corpus Christi in Adeje is a festival that transcends the religious and becomes an expression of local identity and culture. The salt-carpeted streets reflect the devotion and work of a community that unites around a tradition, reflecting both an artistic and a spiritual legacy