The representation of La Pasión de Adeje in its twenty-sixth edition incorporated new scenes, characters and cast. Capacity expectations were exceeded with more than five thousand people in the historic center to experience one of the most massive events of its Easter. A Passion that has been broadcast on television and social networks for years, exceeding a reach of 200,000 viewers.
This year around 300 amateur actors and actresses and some professionals have participated, in addition to the technical and logistical staff that contribute to this performance taking place year after year. La Pasión is one of the most unique and identifying cultural gatherings in the municipality, as well as being one of the events in which the most people participate and one of the most technically complex.
Although the official audience data will not be available until Monday, last year (2022), 200,000 viewers were reached on television alone, to which must be added those who watched the performance through the different social networks. This year La Pasión has been broadcast nationally by 13 Television, at a regional level by Televisión Canaria and Mírame Televisión, in the insular geography Channel 4 television, Channel 10 TV, the municipal radio station Radio Sur Adeje and the social networks of the company itself City hall.
This singular play is organized by the Adeje City Council in a transversal work in which numerous departments are involved, all of them under the supervision of the mayor of the municipality, José Miguel Rodríguez Fraga. The direction of the representation of The Passion was in charge of Abraham Gómez, the coordination and production of Alberto Álvarez, the artistic direction was the work of Freya Jaén. As every year, the municipal staff, as well as those responsible for props, scenery, costumes, hairdressing and makeup, were present on this day, who were joined by cameras, photographers and even the writing team, social networks, web and radio.
The start of this great theatrical work of almost two hours duration, takes place in Calle Grande and Plaza de España in Adeje. The Passion begins with the messianic entrance of Jesus, which is known as Palm Sunday, where the dialogue “Let the children come to me because theirs will be the kingdom of God” takes place.
This year, the most significant novelty has been the incorporation of a new scene, the expulsion of the merchants from the temple, which took place after the messianic entrance. In this scene, a different Jesus was observed, more intense and concerned about his own purity of faith and the phrase “my house will be called a house of prayer” could be heard, which is why Jesus Christ expelled the merchants from the temple, because In the judgment of the messiah, with their purchases and sales, they dishonored the Father exactly in the place where he should be most honored.
Next, the last supper took place, where Jesus warned his apostles that they should respect one another in the same way that he had loved them. The bread and wine symbolize eternal life, the body and blood of Jesus Christ that was offered to his disciples.
Along the Calle Grande, the scenes that represent the last moments of the life of Jesus were happening. Among the most significant are the trial of Pontius Pilate, Herod, the meeting with Judas, the prayer in the Huerto de Los Olivos, the meeting with the mother until the completion of the work, in Plaza España.
The role of Pilatos was reproduced by Raúl de Castro, who was accompanied by his wife Claudia, who was played by Mónica Panizzi. In this scene, the people are asked, which of these two men do you want to release Jesus or Barabbas? After the decision of the people, Pilate orders Jesus to be whipped, who was later crucified and frees Barabbas by decision of the people. Before Jesus left, Pilate subscribed “I do not take responsibility for the death of this man.” Herod and Herodias were given life by Yiyo Alonso and Ana Niebla, respectively. In this scene it could be seen how Jesus endured the insults of both rulers, who also mocked his supposed divine power.
The scene of the crucifixion, the most significant, began with the tortuous journey of Jesus Christ, who, under the lashes of the Romans, said goodbye to his mother for the last time. Carrying the cross, Jesus, played by the actor Ignacio de La Lastra, came to an end. At this point, he was accompanied by the Virgin Mary, played by Ana Oneida Borges, together with María de Cleofás, played by Sonnibel Mendoza, Saint John was represented by Gabriele Zizzi and María Magdalena, whose role was played by Ania González.
Several months of work and casting for the main actors
La Pasión de Adeje involved several months of work and assembly, days and nights of rehearsal that lasted until the wee hours of the morning. In this edition, like the previous one, a casting was carried out to be able to choose the main roles, among which Judas Iscariot stands out, represented by José Antonio Sánchez, the priests of the temple such as Caifás and Anas, were interpreted by Roberto Melo López and Nicolás Tenías, respectively. Sergio Vargas gave life to the role of the apostle Pedro.
