The magnificent mural known as The Christians is set to be officially inaugurated on February 17 at midday with a small ceremony in the hiding place, a restaurant situated on the Jorge Ledesma walk, right across from the 30-metre wall protecting the area that remained following the tragic collapse of the José Julián building on April 14, 2014. Notably, the proprietor of the establishment, Javier Velázquez, is the major benefactor of this endeavour, which has taken a year and two months to complete, executed by artist Carlos Ortega and his brother Raúl, who is responsible for the underwater section.
The initiative began one day when the ever-inventive and kind-hearted Javier Velázquez visited the Ortega brothers’ painting studio in his nightgown. The owner of El Escondite was in search of an artist to pay tribute to the wall that the Town Hall placed next to the site of the Julián José building tragedy, located in front of his bar. He sought to honour the seven victims, stating: “It seemed like a painted graveyard of that funeral target. This place needed some joy.”
Before long, they reached an agreement – approximately eight thousand euros, without deducting for the beers – and Carlos commenced work. Initially, he created more than fifty photographs of the Bay of the Christians, followed by sketches on the blank wall, with painting starting on December 15, 2023. This was a painstaking project completed meticulously, building by building, each with its corresponding windows – “I never imagined painting so many windows,” says Carlos – always with a grin, engaging with passersby, who were curious to learn more about the project and when it would reach completion. It became nearly an essential stop in the Christians, as the work of Carlos and then Raúl, showcasing the marine life, gathered attention on social media and garnered interest from thousands of tourists, some of whom even attempted to contribute financially to this remarkable mural. The Town Hall has even supported the addition of a few more blocks to elevate the wall, completing the backdrop of the Mediaías de Arona, further enhancing the allure of the stunning Bay of the Christians.
As the mural progressed, many regulars of El Escondite expressed a desire to be depicted in the artwork, along with local businesses. Without hesitation, the generosity of Javier Velázquez and the Ortega brothers knows no bounds. This also extends to the late Belgian art promoter, Jean Marie Genin, who significantly assisted in financing the mural.
Carlos and Raúl Ortega, who are marking their anniversary next weekend, are thrilled with the final outcome: “We have devoted fourteen months to this project, nearly six hours a day. Ultimately, it’s gratifying to receive so much praise, to the point that even a lady from the Basque Country recorded a video, and when her friend saw it, she said, ‘If that’s in the Christians, I have to go see it.’ I am delighted that the Christians is being recognised thanks to this mural,” Carlos stated.
He mentions numerous anecdotes and inquiries but highlights one that his twin brother finds rather amusing: “When Raúl started painting the marine life, following a significant trigger, he included several small fish. A nine-year-old boy then approached and remarked, ‘Those fish aren’t from here; they are from tropical waters,’ even naming them, causing my brother to lower his head and reply, ‘I will keep that in mind.’ In the end, we returned to our fish, even if they were less vibrant.”
Carlos recalls, “The initial idea came from Javier, who mentioned that he remembered as a boy when he would leave the sea wearing diving goggles, seeing it in front of Avenida de los Cristianos. We wanted to create a mural that reflected the essence of the Christians from the 50s and 60s, harking back to the fishing community before it became a tourist spot. However, Javier persuaded us to take a different direction, and I believe the result is excellent.”
The Other Mural
The tragic incident of April 14, 2014, was commemorated in the summer of that same year with a mural created by the women from the painting workshop of the Arona Culture Board, orchestrated by artist Carmita Díaz and supported by the Economic Promotion Department. Seven suns featuring the names of the victims honour the tragedy on the wall of Amalia Alayón Street. This Monday, another mural will breathe life into a white wall that shields the lot of such sorrowful memory, portraying an image that encapsulates all the grandeur and charm of a maritime town beloved by tourists and residents alike. Notably, this mural, prior to its official inauguration, has already become a significant attraction.
Now, the Church
The acclaim surrounding the monumental mural has been such – even before its completion – that Carlos Ortega has been approached by José Estévez, the pastor of the Church of Carmen de los Cristianos, to create a mural on a wall standing at 6.5 metres. “I have been working on this for the past two weeks, yet it is entirely different, as here the focus is on painting figures of normal size, and by working without an audience, I’ll likely finish this before the previous one, though I haven’t been given a deadline,” the artist expressed, eagerly anticipating his first major “street” artwork. So much that when he sees a blank wall, like a young graffiti artist, he has to avert his gaze.
