Nijota, in his proclamation for the Christ Festivities of 1951, states: If our island had an institution dedicated to gauging public opinion, akin to the advanced establishments in North America, we are certain that a survey conducted among those who have attended the Christ festivities, whether repeatedly or just once, would reveal that ninety percent would express that what enthralls them the most is the breathtaking moment of the Entrance. Above all, it is the brief span in which, over a sea of expectant, silent, and fearful human heads, a sky completely adorned with dazzling and thunderous stars unfolds. Thousands of people travel to La Laguna from all parts of the island solely to experience the emotional intensity of that moment. We say to feel it, not merely to see it, for the violence of the light and the detonations instils fear in the spirits. The instinct of self-preservation drives heads downwards while the rockets perform a magnificent and crackling dance of fire overhead. This peculiar way of attending the Entrance, to truly feel it rather than just witness it, is something I have attempted to capture in a rhymed chronicle that I dare to share with you. It goes as follows:
“There are many people in Santa Cruz
and in the villages inland
who attend the Entrance of Christ
with a charming mindset.”
All day on the 14th, they are engrossed
in their tasks; men are sorting
out matters and women finishing
their attire.
As evening approaches, they take the car or the tram,
jostling and elbowing,
that is so characteristic of this day.
They arrive at La Laguna by night.
Pushing through, they enter the square,
approaching the Captaincy or getting lost in the crowd.
The Christ is coming! Look out!
He’s already beneath the canopy.
The ruckus of the fireworks begins
and the revolution of the rockets.
And those who have come merely to witness the Entrance,
duck down, cover themselves, “hide”,
and naturally see nothing at all.
Even before the fireworks conclude,
they all rush, hand in hand,
to secure a spot on the tram
or the intercity bus.
In any case, they return home
happy and bragging
to their friends,
“We’ve seen the Entrance of Christ!”
