Hatred, rivalries and jealousies are a feature of human nature that, sadly, can continue for many years. If left unresolved, they become poisonous and destructive with implications that spread far beyond the original squabble. Such rivalries apply to families, countries and even to islands.
For most people, these seven islands in the Atlantic are a haven of peace and tranquillity. There is an illusion that these islands cooperate and work well together as an autonomous community within Spain.
The islands benefit from a shared history, culture, mutual understanding, a shared dependency and have common concerns about the economy, unemployment, health and environmental issues, such as exploration for oil off the coast of Africa. However, is this glossy facade really true?
Needless to say, much of this cooperation is really only skin deep. Bitter rivalries between the islands and, in particular, between Gran Canaria and Tenerife have existed for many hundreds of years, peaking during the horrors of the Spanish Civil War.
Nowadays, we have only to attend a football match or other major sporting event between the two rivals to witness current manifestations of unresolved bitterness, jealousy and rivalry. Just add a dose of Spanish machismo on a very hot day, and you can imagine the result.
Although Tenerife is the largest island, with the largest population of all the islands, the city of Las Palmas in Gran Canaria is the largest city on any of the islands. Indeed, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the seventh largest city in all of Spain. In addition, the airport of Gran Canaria dwarfs those on Tenerife, with its large number of national and international flights, as well as being the third largest airport in Spain.
Tenerife and Gran Canaria have squabbled ferociously in the past as to which city should be regarded as the capital city of the Canary Islands, Santa Cruz de Tenerife or Las Palmas de Gran Canaria? The outcome was, of course, the usual compromise that they should both hold equal status.
There was much anguish about where the islands’ prestigious universities and hospitals should be situated. The answer was to duplicate everything for the benefit of both islands. There is, of course, always a Canarian compromise, but only after much macho shouting, unpronounceable expletives and table banging. It’s just the way that things are done over here.
The current spat between the Mayors of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is another fine example of such a squabble. Las Palmas recently accused Tenerife of ‘cooking the books’, with its inclusion of over 13,000 “ghost residents” in its statistical submission designed, naturally enough, to enhance its quota of funding from the Government. By now we all know that statistics can be interpreted and distorted by politicians to mean anything.
Predictably, the Mayor of Tenerife and the President of the Tenerife Cabildo are now accusing the Mayor of Las Palmas of similar evil doings with dark suggestions that they too “may be surprised” if they examine their own statistics too closely. Despite the squabble, and much huffing and puffing, they will eventually kiss and make up – until the next time, that is.
Of course, there is a small independence movement on the islands, which makes impressive and strident claims during local and national elections that the Canary Islands would benefit from being an independent state, completely divorced from Spain.
After all, the Scots are trying to do it, so why not the Canary Islands? It is, of course, great rhetoric, but totally ignores the reality that the islands just do not get on with each other, and that they need Spain to keep them from capsizing the other’s metaphorical boats.
The arguments and accusations go on, and will continue just as they have always done. After all, it is much like the love-hate relationship between Britain and France. They may dislike each other intensely, but support each other when the going gets tough.
If you enjoyed this article, take a look at Barrie’s websites: www.barriemahoney.com and www.thecanaryislander.com or read his latest book, ‘Message in a Bottle’ (ISBN: 978 1480 031005). Available as paperback, Kindle and iBooks
© Barrie Mahoney
Filed under: http://www.theleader.info/article/38764/
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