The City Council of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, operating through its Independent Organ for Festivities and Leisure Activities (OAFAR), has appointed Jep Meléndez and Daniel Pages to helm the gala events for Carnival 2024.
Councillor for Festivities, Javier Caraballero, lauds the “acknowledged career paths” of both directors. He emphasizes their “deep understanding of our globally-renowned festival,” as well as their “dedication and creative flair.” Caraballero is confident that this pair will make an “ideal combination for launching the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival and for the productions that will introduce our three queens.”
For Caraballero, the 2024 Carnival poses a unique challenge due to its close proximity to the Christmas and Epiphany celebrations. However, he insists that this will not diminish the spectacle’s grandeur. On the contrary, it will galvanize both the OAFAR team and the new technical staff to collaborate from the outset to create “the world’s best carnival.”
The inaugural ceremony, scheduled for Friday, 12 January, will feature the joint expertise of both Meléndez and Pages. Daniel Pages will solely direct the Children’s Queen and Seniors’ Queen election galas, planned for Sunday, 28 January and Wednesday, 31 January, respectively. Jep Meléndez will take the reins for the Carnival Queen election gala on Wednesday, 7 February.
Jep Meléndez is an accomplished choreographer, artistic director, and body percussionist with a rich history of training in Barcelona and New York. His portfolio includes directing and performing in various international events like the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and The New Victory Theater on off-Broadway in New York. Meléndez has also been an integral part of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival in past years.
Daniel Pages, on the other hand, holds a degree in Advertising and Public Relations and a Master’s in Multimedia Design. He returned to the Canary Islands to achieve his dream of designing costumes for the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival. Over the years, he has won multiple titles and has been an ongoing contributor to the event, designing a wide array of costumes and fantasies.
Pages has also ventured into directing various other events, from craft fairs and fashion shows to international sporting competitions. His artistic touch has graced various arenas, further solidifying his reputation as a versatile and accomplished director.
