2011 - SEA AND CULTURES

On a black background, a submerged sardine in the shape of a Carnival feather sends out ripples that represent the different cultures which have converged in the city throughout its history. The winning poster was by Ruyman Rodríguez Batista, a young designer closely linked to the festivities.

The 2011 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival stage represented a temple of cultures in the depths of the sea. The Carnival staging represented a sunken civilisation resting on five enormous columns, acting as the pillars of culture.

The Canarian journalist and writer declared the festivities open on 18 February on the stage of Santa Catalina Park. The audience enjoyed the well-scripted opening proclamation.

Laura Ojeda sat on the throne of the Sea and Cultures Carnival. The costume entitled "¡Soy Gran Canaria!" (I am Gran Canaria), designed by Fernando Méndez for Centro Comercial Alcampo-Telde, was the jury's favourite.

Dissolute Atlas, of a gender difficult to identify, with a question mark, helped Séregon, representing Roca Negra Hotel Spa, take home the title of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Drag Queen 2011.

The crown of the Grand Dame of the Sea and Cultures Carnival was for Lucía González Gopar, modelling the costume entitled “La Edad de Oro” (The Golden Age), by Santiago Santana and Mary Patrón for the Club de Mayores Félix García.

“Surgió del mar para unirse al Carnaval” (She Rose up out of The Sea to Join The Carnival) is the name of the costume designed by Rafael Déniz, Rosa Montesdeoca and Mariola Déniz for Selena Pérez Suárez, the Junior Queen of the festivities who paraded on behalf of Oh, Sole Mío La Puntilla, Media Publicitaria Canaria and Gym Perdomo.

Los Chancletas won the First Prize for Performance in the Murgas contest. This Afilarmónica (a special honourable title for Murga groups), established in 1980 by a group of friends from La Isleta, became the best group at the Sea and Cultures Carnival.

The Comparsa Aragüimé won the First Prize for Performance and for Costume in the 2011 Carnival.

The Comparsa Kisamba took the First Prize for Performance, a prize it had already won in 2010.

José Saavedra's creation, carried out on Toni Guerrero's body, and on behalf of Academia Telde, won the First Prize for Body Painting at the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival; the contest never ceases to surprise every edition, with the beauty and originality of its participants.

Carmen Suárez Carrillo's “A pulpiar a Las Palmas" (Go Take a Walk to Las Palmas) costume took the Juanito el Pionero prize, the first in the individual section. In the groups category it was Amanecer Rociero, with 60 members, which took the first prize for the costume entitled “Amanecer Marinero” (Marine Dawn), a design by Pilar López, Josefa de la Virgen Blanco and Carmen Ruano.

Pancho, a dog of a breed called ratonero inglés, dressed up as a cabin boy, and presented by Manuel Mireles Romero, took the trophy for Attitude and the trophy for Friendliness; the little chihuahua Cloe and her owner Yaiza Quevedo Martín won the trophy for Originality with the costume entitled “Úrsula ataca a la Sirenita debajo del mar” (Ursula Attacks the Little Mermaid under the Sea).