Day of the Canaries -welcome all.

One of the qualities that draws people back to the Canary Islands, again and again, is the passion and warmth of the people. There is also a great pride in the culture and heritage of the islands, a pride they love to share with those who choose to live among them. Saturday May 30 is the Day of the Canaries, the big national holiday, and we are all invited to join in the celebrations.

From the capitals to the tourism centres and in the small villages, there will be wild displays of colour and music around the main plazas. Tenerife as the biggest island has a particularly busy programme, in the capital Santa Cruz, the new second tram line from La Cuesta to Tincer will be inaugurated. In the evening, down south in Playa de las Americas, there is a musical storm at the football ground, with 14 acts from 8.30pm till well past midnight. The Tiembla Tenerife is one of the few events where you will have to pay, tickets are 30 euros, but it will be some night.

Smaller more intimate events may be more your style, like the gathering of 3 municipal bands at the Cabo Blanco civic centre from 7pm. Traditional Canarian costumes, music and good, especially sardines, will be the fare at street level. Make a point of getting out and enjoying some traditional colour, and remind yourself just why the Canary Islands are your place of choice.