Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 14 March 2022. The Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival maintains a traditional programme which has developed its character since the festivities were recovered, in 1976, at the end of the Franco dictatorship. Although in this exceptional year street celebrations have not been organised (the popular cavalcades and parades, or the massive open-air concerts), the 2022 Carnival, dedicated to preserving Planet Earth, still has classic events on its calendar such as the Carnival Queen Gala (perhaps its most symbolic), or the Murga and Comparsa contests, as well as the opening proclamation for the festivities (which this year was performed by the popular local group La Trova) or even the Junior Gala.

However, over the years, the festivities have been adapting to the times, incorporating new acts in an ever more comprehensive programme. We would expect nothing less, in a city with the cosmopolitan character of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. It is no coincidence that the neighbourhood known as the cradle of modern Carnival should be La Isleta: it has developed alongside the important ports, Puerto de La Luz and Puerto de Las Palmas, an entry gate also for culture and outside influences reaching the city, influences which have shaped an open and broad-minded mentality.

Among those novelties there are contests such as the Body Painting Contest (which has now become an international competition) or the Dogs' Carnival (consolidated over more than a decade's existence, because the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival is for all comers). And, above all of these, the Drag Queen Gala, which appeared on the programme with the start of the new century. In the 21st century, the Drag Queen Carnival is the watchword for the festivities in the Gran Canaria capital. On 18 March, we will once more be holding a Gala which is followed all round the world, registering worldwide trending topics year after year and symbolising the very pinnacle of modernity in this Carnival.

This act, which can be taken as the triumph of tolerance, diversity, of the breaching of social mores, of respect and of coexistence, a gala which blurs the borders between genders, which is a major symbol of freedom, and which is followed by millions of people worldwide, is being streamed on the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival Facebook page and on the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria YouTube channel, in the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival 2022 playlist.

Photos: Tony Hernández