Second Place at the Puerto de la Cruz Carnival

Carnivals in Tenerife are not just a festival - they are real magic, a grand spectacle famous worldwide for its scale, incredible costumes, and emotions. This year, in the heart of one of the island's brightest cities, Puerto de la Cruz, a Ukrainian star shone. A young Ukrainian girl captivated the Spanish audience and the strict jury, winning an honorable second place (the title of finalist / first vice-queen) in the Children's Carnival Queen contest.

A fantasy brought to life: sun, pencils, and Ukrainian soul

The Carnival Queen election is always a competition not only of beauty and charisma, but also of the titanic work of designers. Costumes (called "fantasias" here) can weigh dozens of kilograms and are true works of art.

The fantasia presented by our young compatriot amazed the audience with its creativity and life-affirming message. As seen in the photos, the central element of the composition was a huge, beautifully painted Sun, whose rays were made as giant colored pencils. This costume symbolized creativity, light, bright childhood colors, and hope - exactly what every Ukrainian needs so much today.

The girl herself, dressed in a luxurious golden-and-blue outfit with a "Fantasia Finalista" sash, stood on stage like a true queen - confident, joyful, and incredibly sincere.

Support team and blue-and-yellow symbols

Behind every success like this stands a huge team: parents, designers, craftspeople, and friends. In touching moments after the award ceremony, the girl is surrounded by her support group. They all glow with happiness, making heart shapes with their fingers.

A particularly emotional detail is the blue-and-yellow colors on the hands of team members. This small but meaningful touch became a symbol that even in moments of greatest triumph on a Spanish stage, Ukrainians remember their roots and dedicate their victories to their homeland.

More than just a contest

For the Ukrainian community in the Canary Islands, this event has special meaning. It shows how Ukrainian children, despite all difficulties and forced relocation because of the war, continue to grow, dream, and achieve great results. They integrate beautifully into the culture of countries that gave them shelter, becoming an ornament of these societies while preserving their identity.

Second place at such a large Spanish celebration is a big victory. Our young Ukrainian proved that Ukrainian children are talented, bright, and brave. She gave her light to the Puerto de la Cruz Carnival, and the Canary Islands responded in kind by recognizing her as one of their Queens.

She has many victories ahead, but this day - when a sun made of colored pencils shone on the Puerto de la Cruz stage - will forever remain in history as a celebration of beauty, childhood, and Ukrainian pride.