On the fateful morning of 14th April 2016, everything changed irreversibly in The Christians. The collapse of The Julián José Building at 12 Amalia Alayón Street resulted in the tragic loss of seven lives of neighbours, who were laid to rest several hours after the devastating event. After years of legal battles, the criminal investigation was closed. Two expert reports commissioned by the Arona City Council verified the information regarding the building’s collapse, acknowledging the findings presented by DIARIO DE AVISOS during the expert testimony before the presiding judge of Court Number 3 of Arona. To determine the technical causes behind the collapse, the City Council engaged the services of two independent forensic engineering companies, Atlante SLU and Intemac. Whether legal or humanitarian, the outcome was that the building collapse resulted in a catastrophe affecting not just the immediate neighbours but all citizens in the southern region of Tenerife. An unprecedented event in the locality.
One individual profoundly affected by this catastrophe was Javier Velazquez. His bar, El Escondite, located adjacent to the collapsed building, and the fact that Javier was acquainted with several of the deceased made the tragedy all the more personal for him. Recounting the events with sorrow in his eyes, Javier shares, “I am filled with dread every time I recall it. There was an Italian lady who visited annually with her husband. She had gone out for her morning errands while her husband stayed at home. Upon her return, she heard a loud noise and saw smoke, but one of the building’s facades was still standing, leaving her bewildered. I couldn’t bring myself to break the news to her,” Javier explains despondently.
Javier witnessed the unfolding tragedy firsthand and describes scenes that are etched into his memory forever: “I was sipping coffee when I saw the building through my window. Only curtains and glass separated us, and the structure stood only a few meters away. Suddenly, it crumbled, leaving me in utter shock. I rushed outside to assess the situation and was deeply disturbed. Shortly after, I saw a lady seeking help, fainting multiple times. These images are haunting, and I will carry them with me always.” Javier admits that after that day, he never truly returned, acknowledging that the town too was forever altered. “For a year and a half or two, Los Cristianos was shrouded in silence. We were all traumatised. It was a time of immense sorrow,” he reflects. Over time, the community managed to recover from the devastating blow, with life gradually returning to normal. One day, Javier made a decision that would change his life. He approached a Fine Arts workshop in El Camisón, Playa de Las Américas. There, he met Carlos Ortega and his brother Raúl. Javier and Carlos connected instantly and exchanged contact information. Javier was in search of an artist to create a memorial on the wall that the city council placed at the memorial site, facing his bar. He felt the need to honour the seven victims, noting, “It appeared like a cemetery with that sombre white. The place needed vibrancy.”
The Benefactor and his Artist
Carlos Ortega, originally from Puerto de la Cruz but a long-time resident of Los Cristianos, made a name for himself as an artist in the southern town. One evening at Javier’s bar, after much reflection, they conceived a brilliant idea to depict the essence of Los Cristianos. Engaging Carlos for this monumental task felt like appointing a patron, and the coincidence of their names, Velázquez, added an interesting twist to the collaboration. “Upon seeing Carlos’s work, I felt the paintings had a life of their own, making him the perfect choice, being a local artist as well,” Javier remarked. Carlos’s concept involved capturing the town from the sea, offering a panoramic view that encapsulated the breadth and beauty of Los Cristianos as if one were floating in the ocean. His artistic journey began at Parque del Nido, traversing through the centre of the town and now meticulously painting El Coronel’s house, culminating with the southernmost tip of Los Cristianos, running from Arona Hotel to Guaza Mountain. The mural would also feature an underwater scene. Each house and street corner received special attention. The attention to detail is so precise that one could easily mistake the mural for reality. Every colour, brushstroke, and element of the artwork has been meticulously crafted, with Carlos exclaiming, “I am pouring my heart and soul into this! I am devoting such care that it’s consuming me!”
Over the past few months, a multitude of spectators have flocked to witness Carlos’s grand creation. “I’ve seen it all here. Some question the accuracy of what I’m painting, others offer suggestions, and some even lend a helping hand…” Javier jokingly refers to Carlos as “the therapist of Los Cristianos” as every day, a stream of individuals converge by his side, sharing their thoughts on the artwork. The overwhelming success is evident as each passerby interacts with the masterpiece in their unique way, creating a dialogue between the artist and the community.
Achievement
A Swedish tour guide introduces several groups to the project to witness its beauty. “What I have observed and heard, I must share. I have been contemplating writing a book encompassing all my memories and conversations for a while now,” Ortega expressed.
One of their concerns was potential urban vandalism. They were worried that the artwork might be defaced with paint or graffiti, but surprisingly, even vandals have shown respect for this mural. “Recently, we were informed that there is an unwritten rule among graffiti artists that dictates if a piece is unfinished, it remains untouched. For now, there is a mutual respect,” shared Javier. An intriguing aspect of this masterpiece is its funding. Contrary to being a council initiative, the expenses for the mural are covered by Javier, who is using funds from his pension to compensate Carlos. “What significance does money hold? It comes and goes! The key is to be generous and contribute positively to the community,” remarked Javier, the bar owner, a devout Christian. Having pursued seminary training in his youth and remaining dedicated to attending mass daily, Javier is a fervent follower of the Church’s teachings. Renowned as an ‘open book’ among acquaintances, Javier is also multilingual, fluent in 5 languages he acquired in his youth, with flamenco being a special language he learned from his wife. Velázquez, a man of many talents, was a journalist, entertainer, and waiter, embodying versatility.
Describing each other as a painter and a patron, Javier and Carlos share a rapport founded on mutual admiration and professional respect. Carlos describes Javier as “a man with a heart too vast to be contained,” while Javier praises Carlos, calling him “a remarkable individual” and highlighting his virtues while picking up his brushes.
Javier and Carlos take pride in their accomplishments and the positive feedback from local residents. “Passing by here brightens my morning!” exclaimed one neighbour. Another confessed to Carlos, “I could choose any route, yet I always pass through here.” Overwhelmed with emotion, the painter expressed, “To hear such words sends shivers down my spine.” The people of Los Cristianos have embraced the artwork as their own, breathing life into the town. At a time when tourists flood the streets, a visit to Amalia Alayón Street serves as a poignant reminder of their roots. Over a year and a half since the mural’s inception, Carlos anticipates its completion by June this year. The arduous journey, consuming countless hours, is nearing its end. This tribute serves as a gift to the community, an homage to those who have departed. “The afterlife remains a mystery to me; I am uncertain if there is merely a dark void. Nonetheless, let us depart from this world leaving behind art. May they find eternal peace,” Javier affirmed.