Mario Diaza hotelier and violinist from Güímar, who in the summer of 2021 took to his Hotel Buen Retiro, Casa de la Música y el Sonido a 130 year old dragon collapsed weeks before at the Nazareth school and who had been evicted, organized the First Christmas Festival to celebrate not only these endearing dates but also the survival of the prodigious tree, which is still alive 16 months later in its new and historic home in Güimare.
Next to the Casa de la Marquesa, a 19th-century building restored with his own hands by Mario Díaz, this specimen was transplanted, 10 meters high and 15 tons in weight, and whose destination was already to be cut into pieces -it still has the yellow markings in its branches and trunk, through which the sierra was going to pass- and taken to a landfill, after the Cabildo de Tenerife considered, after consulting experts, that it was impossible to save him. But the faith that he will survive and the care that Mario has given him have given this tree a second chance.
On Sunday, December 11, 2022, at 6:30 p.m., Mario Díaz and his family will open the doors of their hotel to the public who wants to follow this concert, sponsored by the Department of Culture of the Güímar City Council. In a neoclassical style pavilion next to the dragon tree, the participation of the soprano Beatriz Siverio, the singer Pilar Cano and the Orchestra of the 12 Columns, made up of professional musicians, is scheduled.
The concert repertoire includes the interpretation, by the Orchestra of the Twelve Columns, of the Overture to ‘The Messiah’ of Handel, the Hallelujah ‘Exultate Jilate’ by Mozart, a medley of traditional Christmas carols and classic works: Joy to the world, Good Rest You Merry Gentlemen, The first Nowell , Adeste Fideles, the length of winter (Vivaldi), Minuet Cello and Piano (Mozart) and the divine Jose Angel Jimenez), the Hymn to the Dragon (Vicente Perez), the Christmas Carol of the Drago (Vicente Pérez) and the Radetzky March (Johan Straus).
The public that wishes can attend period dress (19th century) -it is not a requirement to access the venue- and, at the end of the concert, the best clothing will receive as a prize a night at the hotel for two people with breakfast accompanied by violin. The hotel It is located in the upper area of the urban area of Güímar, in San Pedro de Arriba, specifically at number 9 Chacaica street. The establishment also has another dragon tree, of the same age, in very good health.
“A year and almost four months have passed, and not only does it retain green branches, but some have sprouted, so some botanists assure me that the dragon tree has been saved, since it is impossible for it to be green at this point and not continue. alive”, affirms Mario, who has devoted almost three decades to recovering the Casa de la Marquesa, where he has a veritable treasure trove of pianos from all eras, as well as other instruments, and old radio sets. That is why it is also called the House of Music and Sound, and where period musical shows are organized with the interpretation of classical music.
“I invite everyone who wishes to visit this dragon tree on the afternoon of December 11 and join us in this concert, which is generously sponsored by the City Council of my town, a gesture for which I thank the Councilor for Culture, María Luisa Campos González, because he has understood that my cultural project is beneficial for Güímar, and I hope that this dragon tree serves my dream that this house be the home of all musicians and music lovers because the important thing is the love for this art and life”, says this violinist and hotelier from Tenerife.
Mario Díaz wants to celebrate Christmas with his reborn dragon tree, every year, with a festival in which professional and amateur musicians participate, as part of the interesting project he has in mind to turn the hotel into a cultural focus not only in the Güímar Valley but also throughout island scale.
So much so that he has in project what he calls the Hall of the Twelve Columns, of which he himself has built a model, and with which he would like to found a musical academy where music theory is taught free of charge in exchange for whoever learns it, then teach it to new students.
It must be taken into account that, in a statement released in August 2021, the Councilor for Natural Environment Management of the Cabildo de Tenerfe, Isabel García, reported that the biological conditions of the specimen prevented its recovery. “The dragon tree cannot be transplanted to another place, due to biological problems and the damage caused by its collapse in July,” stressed the counselor, who had agreed with the Güímar City Council the collaboration of the Cabildo in the transfer and transplant From the tree.
And in that same official note, the City Council reported, with regret, that “reports indicate that the transplant will not be successful mainly due to the poor development of its roots.” But Mario’s faith and tenacity in saving this dragon tree have allowed, for now, the story to have a happy ending. And with music.
