Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez welcomed the drag artist Javier Jiménez, creator of Exhuberancia Carey, after winning the Arkoiris Award for Best Drag Artist. The Dragnaval gala, promoted by him, was also awarded.
The actor, singer, and drag artist Javier Jiménez, better known as Exhuberancia Carey, was received this Wednesday at the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council by Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez and councillors Gladis de León and Javier Caraballero. The purpose of the meeting was to highlight his artistic career and social commitment, after being recognised as Best Drag Artist at the Arkoiris Awards, where his creation Dragnaval also triumphed.
A reference of Canary drag
With over fifteen years of career on stage, Exhuberancia Carey has established himself as one of the essential names in drag art in the Canary Islands. His roles as an actor, singer, presenter, and cultural promoter have earned him respect from both the public and institutions. Mayor Bermúdez highlighted his ability to turn Carnival into a tool for visibility and inclusion, something that, he said, "projects a city that is open, plural, and committed to equality."
The reception, which took place at the City Hall, also served to recognise the creation of Dragnaval, the first drag gala integrated into the official programme of the Santa Cruz Carnival. This project, promoted by the Equality department and supported by the Festivities department, came to light in 2024 and has since become an unmissable event on the city's festive calendar.
Dragnaval, a pioneering project
Javier Jiménez not only conceived Dragnaval but also takes on its artistic direction, promotion, and presentation. The gala, which was born with the aim of giving prominence to the drag community within Carnival, has been recognised at the Arkoiris Awards as one of the most innovative initiatives. The councillor for Festivities, Javier Caraballero, emphasised that Dragnaval "has established itself as one of the most relevant additions to the Carnival programme, expanding the offer and reinforcing the open and diverse character of the festival."
For her part, the councillor for Equality and Affective-Sexual Diversity, Gladis de León, thanked Exhuberancia Carey for his commitment to municipal initiatives. "His collaboration with community groups and projects strengthens social cohesion through culture," she stated. The councillor highlighted that Jiménez's work goes beyond entertainment: he is an activist who uses art to create spaces for encounter and freedom.
Art as a tool for change
During the meeting, Javier Jiménez expressed gratitude for the institutional recognition and recalled that Exhuberancia Carey was born with the aim of using art to create visibility spaces. "The creation of Dragnaval was an important step in giving greater prominence to the drag community within Carnival, one of the main hallmarks of the city," he pointed out. The drag artist, who combines his artistic side with a strong social commitment, has participated in numerous actions alongside the City Council and various groups in Santa Cruz.
The institutional reception highlights the City Council's support for those who, through culture and social commitment, contribute to building a more equal and diverse city. For the residents of Santa Cruz, such recognitions reinforce the image of a capital that bets on inclusion and creativity as its hallmarks. The next big challenge for Exhuberancia Carey will undoubtedly be to continue expanding the reach of Dragnaval and solidify his legacy in the chicharrero Carnival.
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