The City Council of La Laguna and the Association of Nativity Scene Creators of La Laguna unveiled this Thursday the poster and programme for the nativity scene trail, a festive custom that this year will showcase 37 nativity scenes and dioramas across the municipality, exceeding participation of previous years.
The mayor of La Laguna, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez; the Councillor for Culture, Adrián del Castillo; the representative of the Association of Nativity Scene Creators, Francisco Roldán; and the graphic artist Juan Cairós, who designed this year’s poster, participated in introducing this initiative aimed at fostering and preserving this tradition, establishing it as a key event in the Christmas calendar.
The mayor expressed his gratitude for the significant efforts of the Association of Nativity Scene Creators of La Laguna in upholding and ensuring the continuity of a tradition deeply rooted in the municipality. He reiterated the City Council’s backing for this artisan venture that aims to enhance “the festive celebration of Christmas in La Laguna.”
Meanwhile, Adrián del Castillo was keen to underline the vital role played by the local residents in a tradition that harmonises “spirituality and popular art, rendering nativity scenes a genuine form of artistic expression.” He expressed hope that “this activity will establish itself as a must-see attraction in the Christmas schedule for both Tenerife locals and visitors.”
Francisco Roldán announced that Yaiza López Landi, a member of the Parliament of the Canary Islands and former councillor of the La Laguna City Council, will be the herald of the festivities “by unanimous decision of the Board of Directors of the Association of Nativity Scene Creators of La Laguna. We wish to extend our deepest gratitude for all the support you have provided for the nativity scenes, ensuring this tradition endures in our municipality,” he said, recalling that “since we connected in 2020, she has supported and advised us through this new chapter of the Association, particularly during the challenging times of the pandemic.”
The proclamation will be read on Thursday, November 28, at the Leal Theatre, during an event featuring a performance by the Hespérides Group. In addition to the route, from November 30, an exhibition of dioramas and nativity scenes will be open to the public at the Convento de las Claras, running until January 5. The awards ceremony for the nativity scene creators who win recognition will take place on December 14.
Francisco Roldán highlighted that participation in nativity scenes and dioramas has seen an increase compared to last year, remarking, “And that is a very positive indicator that people are becoming more engaged, and it shows that we are all taking it very earnestly.”
Lastly, illustrator Juan Cairós expressed his gratitude to the Association of Nativity Scene Creators for the opportunity to contribute for a second consecutive year to the poster’s creation, sharing that he drew inspiration from children. “Christmas belongs to them, and I aimed to capture their excitement, innocence, and purity,” he explained. “From this perspective, I chose a boy and a girl; through their play, they attempt to place the stars and assemble the nativity scene. Unbeknownst to them, the light of Bethlehem, which epitomises hope and faith, illuminates them. It is a straightforward poster, yet it conveys a profound message.”
