Adeje’s Passion did not falter, not even the strong winds could hinder the unfolding of one of the most unique and defining cultural events of the town. Approximately 300 amateur actors, mostly locals, participated in this remarkable event, along with the technical and logistical support that ensures the successful staging of this performance year after year on Calle Grande in Adeje.
The grand theatrical spectacle, spanning nearly two hours, unfolds on Calle Grande and Plaza de España in Adeje every Good Friday at noon. This year, the security measures accommodated nearly nine thousand spectators on-site, with an additional thousand viewers tuning in through Canarian Television signal and 13 other TV channels, while five hundred more followed the event on social media, reaching audiences across Europe and America.
The Passion commences at Plaza de la Cruz del Llano, where the last supper takes place. Along Calle Grande, scenes depicting the final moments of Jesus’ life are enacted, with a procession of all the cast members preceding the performance.
Notable scenes include the people’s intervention leading up to the Last Supper, the meeting between the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene, the adulteress, and Jesus himself. Following the video of Saint John, capturing the testimony of love, the messianic entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem, known as Palm Sunday, where the classic words of “Let the children come to you” echo, “To such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
This year’s edition of The Passion also highlighted scenes such as the Passover meal, the trial of Pontius Pilate, Herod, Judas’s monologue, the prayer in the Garden of Olives, and the emotional encounter with the mother, leading up to the climax in Plaza España where two crosses were erected against the stunning backdrop of the Infierno ravine. In the midst stands the third and final cross, where Jesus, portrayed by actor Yehosua Treviño, delivers his parting words. At the foot of the cross awaits the Virgin Mary, portrayed by Ana Oneida Borges Medina, who this year, along with other women, played a significant role in the performance.
The broadcast of La Pasión by 13 Television, Televisión Canaria, and Mírame Televisión, as well as regional channels and social media platforms, solidified Adeje’s representation as a cultural and tourist attraction of international renown.
Sights from the Event
In this edition, the portrayal of women took on a central role. A new scene was incorporated at the beginning, featuring the Virgin Mary, played by Ana Oneida Borges Medina, alongside Mary Magdalene, portrayed by Daura Moreira, and other women advancing together on the path.
The parable of the shepherd and the sheep was also integrated into the performance, with a dialogue between the Virgin Mary, Mary, and Jesus, where he urges his mother to have faith in the task entrusted to her. In the same scene, Tabitha’s father expresses gratitude to Jesus for bringing his daughter back to life.
Subsequently, Mary Magdalene and the adulteress, saved by Jesus from stoning, approach him. Reflecting on the parable shared by Jesus – emphasizing the importance of not discriminating against others for being different – Mary Magdalene, resonating with the situation, breaks into song.
The denials of the apostle Peter have been extended in both length and depth, offering a clearer insight into his sense of guilt over betraying his teacher, Jesus.
Another highlight for 2024 is the scene between Claudia and Pilate. A new stage has been set up on the façade of the main church, where Pilate, played by Elías González, and Claudia, portrayed by Silvia Méndez, engage in their renowned dialogue about truth, preceding Claudia’s poignant song from the balcony, marking her debut in this role.
The palace scene between Herod and Herodias includes a nod to Salomé, Herod’s niece, with the young girl offering an apple to Jesus as he smiles back.
The Herodian dancers, students from the Municipal School of Music and Dance of Adeje, will once again infuse the performance with energy and motion.
The costumes have been revamped by designer Cristian Alayón, with new breastplates for the temple guards crafted by “El Marqués LARP Shop”. The importance of makeup, handled by Ondani García and Agustín Padrón, will be highlighted again, particularly in scenes like the Tempting Devil, portrayed by Víctor Padilla, who also tends to the hairstyling of all actresses.
