Recreation Gesta July 25 facts for kids
The Recreation Gesta July 25 (in Spanish: Recreación de la Gesta del 25 de julio) is a special event held every July in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. It's a historical re-enactment that brings to life the famous Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife from 1797. Imagine stepping back in time to see soldiers, cannons, and ships from over 200 years ago!
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What is the July 25th Recreation?
This event is like a living history lesson. It shows how the people of Santa Cruz de Tenerife defended their city. In 1797, British forces, led by the famous Admiral Horatio Nelson, tried to invade the island. But the Spanish defenders, led by General Antonio Gutiérrez de Otero y Santayana, fought them off. The Recreation Gesta July 25 celebrates this important victory.
How the Event Started
The modern Recreation Gesta began in 2008. It is organized by the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. A special group called the Asociación Histórico Cultural Gesta del 25 de julio de 1797 also helps a lot. Many local groups and governments support this big event. The Regional Military Museum of the Canary Islands also plays a key role.
What Happens During the Event?
The event takes place over two days, July 24th and 25th. It's packed with exciting activities that show what happened during the battle.
Day 1: July 24th
The event kicks off on July 24th with a grand parade. Soldiers march through the streets of Santa Cruz. They wear amazing copies of the uniforms from 1797. They also carry old-style weapons. The parade starts at Plaza Weyler and ends at Plaza de la Candelaria. It's a great way to see how soldiers looked long ago!
Day 2: July 25th
July 25th is the main day for the re-enactment. You can see actors playing the roles of Spanish and British soldiers. They recreate the intense fighting that happened during the landing. They also show the street battles. The re-enactment even includes the moment when Admiral Nelson's troops surrendered. All these scenes happen in the same places where the real battle took place. This is usually around the Castle of St John the Baptist in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Remembering the Heroes
The Recreation Gesta ends on the evening of July 25th. There is a special religious service at the Parish of Our Lady of Conception. This service remembers the battle and honors St. James. St. James is the patron saint of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. During the ceremony, a wreath is placed at the tomb of General Antonio Gutiérrez. His tomb is in the chapel of St. James in the same church. After the service, a statue of St. James is carried in a procession through the city streets.
See also
In Spanish: Recreación de la Gesta del 25 de julio para niños
