The Cabildo inaugurates its traditional nativity scene and the Christmas lighting of Casa Palacio

The president of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Antonio Morales, together with councilors of the insular Corporation, inaugurated tonight the nativity scene of the insular institution which, like every year, appears marked with the symbols of nature and customs and traditions of the Island, and has also proceeded to turn on the lighting and decorations, which will adorn the façade of the Casa Palacio during all the Christmas holidays.

 

President Morales stated in his speech that, with this inauguration, "from the Government of the Island, we open Christmas to all the territories of Gran Canaria with the nativity scene, which is a tradition deeply rooted in our land."

 

And, as he recalled, nativity scenes were born in the XNUMXth century, in Italy, at the hands of Saint Francis of Assisi, and they arrived in the Canary Islands a century before they were known in Spain, due to the relationships maintained by the Islands. with Naples and Genoa, so the first of them settled in the Archipelago in the XNUMXth century. “And it is from here that the nativity scenes are later moved to Latin America, also before they even reach the Peninsula,” he recalled. “One more example of the influence of the Canary Islands, with this and many other things.”

 

Likewise, the island president has also praised the work of Fernando Benítez, creator of the Cabildo nativity scene for years, who has praised the goldsmith work he develops, detail by detail, whether in the clothing or in the landscapes and in the traditional scenes “that he recreates in an extraordinary way,” he stated.

 

And, Benítez himself has highlighted that the Cabildo's nativity scene this Christmas is once again impregnated with those natural elements that are symbols of Gran Canaria, as well as recreations of the daily life of the Island, which are taking place. in the religious passages related to the birth of Jesus. 

 

Thus, this creation opens with the scene of the Annunciation, in which a water fall appears, where the forest reserve of Los Tilos de Moya can be seen and, from that first reference, various daily scenes of trades related to the yesterday of Gran Canaria, with grazing and livestock, sectors with which the author has indicated that, “from the nativity scene, I always have a special commitment, so that there is an elevation of the values ​​that livestock breeders and farmers represent. of the Islands.” 

 

And, already in the final prints, the peaks of Gran Canaria are present, with Nublo and Bentayga. Because, as Benítez has detailed, “through the birth grotto, you can see the staging of the Virgin and Saint Joseph, with the wise men adoring the child, and, in the background, are Risco Caído and the central massifs of the island".

 

In the same way, the nativity scene artist has highlighted that values ​​inherent to the Canarian tradition are exalted, always with the enhancement and value of the family, in scenes starring parents, children and grandparents, "to promote those values ​​that must last in the society, such as respect for the elderly or having a beautiful childhood,” he stressed. "With the figures, who are dressed in the style of the XNUMXth century and the transition to the XNUMXth, endearing images are achieved, like the carter who goes with his mule and his cart, with his family in tow, in which she breastfeeds a baby and the children sitting next to him, with all their belongings,” he said, “or scenes of work of ranchers with cows, potters, shepherds with sheep and all of this with the essence of Gran Canaria always in the background.” , with the Cloud, which is the natural and spiritual image of our Island.”

 

Benítez concluded by stating that this “is a Nativity scene that is made with all the love and with great detail and, above all, to convey to the visitor that it is worth preserving our Island and keeping our past alive and fresh.”

 

 

 

 

A marine allegory made into a Christmas tree

 

The façade of the Gran Canaria Cabildo building also has a Christmas decoration that includes several trees, created by Aday Eventos-DéQú, of which the central one stands out, which is an allegory of the sea, with elements such as a lighthouse and marine animals, among others, which seek to represent that Canarian Christmas is different and is always associated with the ocean.

 

Finally, more than 150 curtains of low-consumption LED light bulbs illuminate the façade of the Casa Palacio, along with nine stars with garlands also made of flashing light bulbs of moderate consumption.