You can now enjoy one of the most visited portals of nativity scene Canary Islands, that of the Cabildo headquarters. The president of the insular Corporation, Rosa Davilainaugurated this traditional nativity scene, which on this occasion has a biblical atmosphere and was made by José María Mesa Martín.
The Cabildo portal has been a reference in the Canary Islands since it was first installed at the end of the decade of the eightiesfollowing an initiative proposed by the then Ethnographic Museum, now the Museum of History and Anthropology, a crucial moment to resume this custom that at that time was going through a critical moment, since there were few births that were staged both in the domestic sphere and in official entities.
This initiative of the insular Corporation was soon supported and imitated by other institutions of the Archipelago that set up their own births, thus preventing this ancient custom from becoming permanently extinct.
This year’s birth is biblical atmosphere with architecture very elaborate in textures and finishes, using recycled material, where there is no shortage of domes and minarets typical of the area. The flora deserves special care to achieve a natural environment that completes the idyllic landscape. On this occasion, we have chosen a setup arranged in such a way that it can be surrounded, which makes its installation difficult, but makes it easier to see all the details of the rich domestic trousseau, the merchants, artisan trades, etc.
The author of the portal, José María Mesa Martín, a graduate in Art History and Fine Arts, has already installed his nativity scenes on other occasions in the Cabildo. Recognized as one of the most renowned local and national nativity scenesters, It has received glowing reviews from specialized publications in this field. His figures, modeled by hand, without using molds, make them unique and unrepeatable. The draperies are made of glued and polychrome canvas following historical models of the trends in use in the different historical periods it addresses. In his extensive career he has worked on two types of figures: biblical ones and those dressed in traditional Canarian clothing for Canarian portals.
The birth will remain open to the public until next January 6from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., except on January 24 and 31 (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) and on January 25, 1, and 6 ( 4:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.).
Rosa Dávila thanked the efforts of the artisan hands that have made this “magnificent” nativity scene possible, which year after year is installed in “the home of all Tenerife residents.” «For us it is an honor that thanks to a personality like José María Mesa, and under the coordination of Juan de la Cruz, we can enjoy this year this Portal, which has great value, made with recycled materials and of large dimensions. The result is magnificent. I also want to thank the decoration of the Cabildo, which is due to the expert hands of the girls and boys of the Prominsur Association. “We are very proud of them.”
Dávila was accompanied at the inauguration by the vice president and Minister of Tourism, Lope Afonso, counselors, island directors and the coordinator of this birth, Juan de la Cruz. The event also featured a performance by 30 boys and girls from the Buen Consejo school in La Laguna, who performed two Christmas carols.
