One of the worst nightmares of the La Orotava carpet makers has come true. The removal of the two tents that covered the lateral tapestries of the great carpet of lands of the Teide yesterday coincided with a downpour that for more than four hours gradually destroyed the meticulous work that a team of about 25 people had carried out for almost 50 days.
Two thirds of the large carpet in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento de La Orotava have been practically destroyed. The central tapestry, which has suffered some water damage, is the only one that was kept safe under the last tent that was pending removal when an unexpected and persistent rain began.
This last awning that was attached to the palm trees allowed its removal to be delayed today or tomorrow, dates prior to the great day of the carpets, which is celebrated this Thursday. With the new tents, the process is slower and, in addition, their removal is required earlier to complete the work, acting in the areas where these elements are supported. The disaster fuels the debate on the need to have an awning like the old one to protect the square and, furthermore, to delay its removal as long as possible.
The Artearena Carpet Makers saw yesterday how much of their work and effort was lost. A very sad image for which no one found words or comfort. The director of the carpet, Domingo gonzalez Expósito acknowledged to EL DÍA that very little can be done: “If it doesn’t stop raining, we can’t go back to work.” His intention is to leave the damaged parts as they are, without removing them, and focus on finishing the areas that could not be finished. It will be a historical carpet, in which intact parts and two tapestries practically erased by the rain will be mixed. The images of San Isidro and María Auxiliadora were finished, but they are barely intuited anymore. Neither did the elements that surrounded the saint and the recently crowned virgin.
it will be different
The Artearena Carpet Makers will only have Tuesday and Wednesday to try to amend and/or finish a work that will not be the one that had been prepared, although it will continue to perform its function as an offering to Corpus Christi. “It is the will of God,” recalled one of the carpet makers, who lamented that a few hours earlier “almost all the work on those two tapestries was finished, with an impressive level of detail.”
Late in the afternoon, the municipal government showed its “total support for the team of carpet makers in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.” In a statement, he announced that early today “assessments will be made by the management of the Carpet” to determine the extent of the damage caused by the rain.
The local government explained that the tents that covered the side tapestries were removed yesterday “from the early hours of the morning, taking into account that” from the direction of the Carpet “it was considered necessary” to be able to have the work on time. “Last year it began to be removed on Tuesday and the carpet makers could not finish the tapestry until the wee hours of the morning.” Dismantling the tents requires “a minimum of two days,” the City Council said in a statement.
The central tent was going to be removed today and, for this reason, this central tapestry, which represents the tabernacle of the Iglesia de la Concepción, is still covered and it is expected that it will not be so affected by the rain. Today it will be decided whether to retire or wait until tomorrow.
“The carpet masters will do everything possible between now and Thursday so that you can admire this Carpet, which has been worked on for 40 days,” recalled the Orotava City Council.
Something similar happened 81 years ago. A downpour washed away the carpet from the square and a simpler one was made. «The villeros join forces in complex situations and the feeling and pride for La Orotava can handle everything. The Plaza del Ayuntamiento will receive the Blessed Sacrament next Thursday with total solemnity,” the official statement concluded.
