Tenerife is celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ first visit to the island with a 13-day programme that will delight beatlemaniacs and music fans alike. From 27th April to 9th May 2013, the northern town of Puerto de la Cruz will host a great array of music concerts, film screenings and exhibitions, with the aim to honour one of the best British bands of all time.

 

Under the name “50th Anniversary of The Beatles in Tenerife”, the Institute of the Canary Islands for Hispanic Studies (IEHC) has planned a dedicated programme to commemorate this special anniversary. Both residents and visitors will have the chance to enjoy live performances from cover brands, screenings of documentaries such as Let It Be and the film Yellow Submarine, exhibitions, forums and even a street market to buy The Beatles memorabilia, amongst other activities.

 

Back in 1963, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, along with close friends Astrid Kirchherr and Klaus Voormann, holidayed in Tenerife after the release of their very first album, Please Please Me. The hit album, which included popular songs such as Love Me Do and Please Please Me, hit the top of the UK charts in May 1963 and remained there for 30 weeks.

 

Puerto de la Cruz, in the northern coast, was one of the first holiday destinations in Tenerife, an island that received over 1.6 million visitors from the UK last year. Pleasant volcanic beaches, natural salt pools and a warm climate all year round continues to attract British holidaymakers to this charming fishing village, following in the footsteps of The Beatles who chose Puerto de la Cruz for their very first break in Tenerife.

 

Further to the arrival of The Beatles, Tenerife has established itself an important stage for international musical bands and singers. The biggest of the Canary Islands hosts a great number of events and festivals every year featuring some of the biggest names in the music industry. Elton John, Michael Bolton & Kenny G, Rod Stewart, Sting, James Blunt, Pitbull, The Wanted and David Guetta have all performed in Tenerife in the past few years, attracting visitors from all over the world.

50th Anniversary of The Beatles in Tenerife – Full programme

 

Saturday 27th April 2013

Hotel Tigaiga – 11:00

Official presentation of the “50th Anniversary of The Beatles in Tenerife". 

 

Customs House (Casa de la Aduana) – 12:30

Presentation of the exhibition “The Beatles in Puerto de la Cruz, 1963”, which will feature photos of The Beatles while on the island, LP’s, books of the band, images and postcards of Tenerife in the '60s.

 

Sunday 28th April 2013

Charco Square – 11:00-13:00

Street market with all sort of products related to the group such as books, LP’s, posters, T-shirts with images of The Beatles in Tenerife and merchandising related to the 50th anniversary.

 

Institute of the Canary Islands for Hispanic Studies (IEHC) – 19:30

Screening: Yellow Submarine (1968), an animated film based on the music of The Beatles.

 

Tuesday 30th April 2013

Institute of the Canary Islands for Hispanic Studies (IEHC) – 19:30

Lecture: “The Beatles: From Liverpool to Hamburg” conducted by Adrian McGrath (in English).

 

Friday 3rd May 2013

Sala Timanfaya – 19:30

Screening: Let It Be (1970), a documentary film about The Beatles. The film shows scenes of the band while recording the songs for Let It Be, the band’s 12th and final studio album.

 

Saturday 4th May 2013

Sala Timanfaya – 21:00

Concert: Tenerife’s cover group “Almas de Goma” will be playing songs from the group’s career. There will be a prize draw to win a Paul McCartney type violin bass.

 

Sunday 5th May 2013

Restaurant Dinámico (Plaza del Charco) – 12:00

Concert: Puerto de la Cruz musical ensemble will perform The Beatles’ most popular songs.

 

Tuesday 7th May 2013

Las Lonjas Street – 20:30

Tribute to John Lennon: Documentary and songs from Live in New York City, John Lennon’s live album recorded in 1972 at Madison Square Garden.

 

Wednesday 8th May 2013

Las Lonjas Street – 20:30

Tribute to George Harrison: A screening of the Concert for George, which was held at the Royal Albert Hall in 2002, commemorating the first anniversary of George Harrison’s death.

 

Thursday 9th May 2013

Institute of the Canary Islands for Hispanic Studies (IEHC) – 19:30

Closing ceremony: “The Beatles leave Tenerife on the road to success”

 

 

-Ends-

 

 

Notes for Editors:

1. The Tenerife Tourism Corporation is a membership led independent body, supported by the public and private sectors, which markets Tenerife overseas as a tourist destination. A portfolio of five specific brands has been created: Golf, Nature, Select, Convention Bureau and Film Commission.

2. For general tourism information on Tenerife please visit: www.webtenerife.co.uk.

3. For general tourism information on Puerto de la Cruz please visit: www.turismo.puertodelacruz.es/en/.

4. For media enquiries, please contact Enrique Martín or Cristina Cunchillos at Hume Whitehead:  enrique@humewhitehead.co.uk / 0845 498 9984; cristina@humewhitehead.co.uk / 0845 498 9985.