A Corner of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Category: Literature · Subcategory: Literary fragments · Year: 1971 · Authors: Juan Pérez Delgado "Nijota"

At the end of the 1960s, after the demolition of the building that closed off the upper part of Plaza de la Candelaria, a large plot of land was uncovered (today occupied by the Banco de Santander building), which was closed off for a time by a wall that considerably spoiled the surroundings. With the sarcasm that characterised him, the satirical writer Juan Pérez Delgado "Nijota" (La Laguna, 1898-Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 1973) published a humorous poem in the local press (later included in the book Verso y Prosa ) entitled "A Corner of Santa Cruz". In it, the author, with his characteristic style, added a touch of humour to the lamentable state of such an important place; and he did so with the following words:

 

«This is a dihedral angle,

white, popular, simple,

on the right going up,

of Castillo Street.

 

It is the corner of a wall,

free of any sumptuous intention,

facing the always attractive

Plaza de la Candelaria.

 

People pass here

who come from overseas

and who observe well the things

of Santa Cruz upon entering.

 

Large and beautiful buildings

flank that square,

but this back wall

ruins all beauty.

 

In the German tourist

who comes in profusion

perhaps that wall

provokes a sad memory.

 

Behind the wall you see a façade

of genuine island style,

which is yellow.

But it is not the submarine.

 

I am told that on this site

there should be a bank

and that this is the project

of Banco de Santander.

 

But, as the urban plan

has remained uncertain,

now there is only a plot

surrounded by a wall.

 

The wall is whitewashed,

but it is low in height

and looks ugly and poor

as the background of the square.

 

A row of people

in front of the white wall

currently sit on chairs,

until they build the bank.»

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