The Teguise City Council has announced the winner of the Poster Contest for the Carnival of La Graciosa, Costa y Villa de Teguise 2026, with the winning entry being the work titled Serenata, by artist Luis Ángel Argota Martín, from Álava, who will receive a prize of 600 euros.
The selected poster will be the official image of the 2026 Carnival, defining the aesthetic and spirit of a festival that this year is celebrated under the allegory "Mexico Lindo y Más Allá, la Fiesta de los Muertos" (Beautiful Mexico and Beyond, the Day of the Dead Festival), chosen by popular vote. The artwork depicts a festive scene featuring a symbolic Mexican female figure, linked to the representation of death in Mexican tradition and dressed in traditional attire, dancing alongside a mariachi reinterpreted as a Teguise Carnival diablete, recognizable by its bells, mask, and elements of traditional carnival.
The composition unfolds in an environment clearly identifiable with the Villa de Teguise, incorporating references to its cobblestone streets, the tower of the Church of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, as well as emblematic buildings such as the Palacio Ico and La Cilla in Plaza de los Leones, integrating architectural heritage, local identity, and a colorful, contemporary aesthetic that reinforces the participatory and cultural character of the Carnival
The jury was composed of graphic designers María Nela Hernández Callero and Idafane Elvira Betancort, with the Councilor for Festivals, Andoni Machín, acting as secretary, with a vote but no say. A total of six posters were submitted to the competition, with artistic quality, originality, and adequate interpretation of the proposed allegory being evaluated.
The mayor of Teguise, Olivia Duque, highlighted that "the winning poster reflects the spirit of the Teguise Carnival, integrating traditional elements of the municipality with a theme chosen by the citizens themselves," and wanted to thank "the participation of all those who have submitted their work, contributing to the enrichment of one of the most representative festivals on the municipal calendar."For his part, the Councilor for Festivals, Andoni Machín, stressed that "the poster contest is one of the first steps of the Carnival and a fundamental tool for involving citizens and creators in the construction of the festival," also thanking "the quality of the proposals submitted and the work of the jury."
The Carnival of La Graciosa, Costa and Villa de Teguise 2026 will begin with the presentation of the carnival groups in Villa de Teguise on February 8. Subsequently, the main events will take place from March 2 to 8 in Costa Teguise and Villa de Teguise, and from March 12 to 15 on the island of La Graciosa.
With the election of the promotional poster, the Teguise City Council kicks off the organization of the 2026 Carnival, a cultural and festive event that combines tradition, identity, and citizen participation.
