The cold of the night did not prevent a sea of participants from gathering this Saturday at the Puerta del Sol in Vigo, waiting to witness the kick-off of some festivities which have already established themselves as an attraction – this year, they were deployed neither more nor less than 11 million LEDs in 420 streets, approximately 1,300 arches and 2,500 illuminated trees. And the person responsible for doing it, like every year, was none other than the mayor of Vigo, Abel Caballero.
The councilor headed towards “a happy and united city”, to which he wished health in the economy and leisure, celebrating his “unity project”. The time had come to “light up” Christmas 2024. Because, as he himself said, “When we turn on the Christmas lights in Vigo, Christmas begins on the planet.” Caballero openly expressed his “immense pride” in having “recovered a tradition, a culture that was beginning to disappear.”
“We experienced it as children, we were happy. We all remember our families, from that Christmas so many years ago. Today we do it in the 21st century. It’s already Christmas for a country, for a city, for another century”, he proclaimed. And he reiterated his welcome to all the participants, coming “from so many places in Galicia (… ), and even so many places in Spain, so many places in this great country and so many other countries (… ). In this moment of harmony, of happiness, we begin a great tradition of Vigo. The Christmas tradition. “It’s Christmas.”
Then Caballero launches into a comparison: “Symbolically, we are all at the center of this tree -for the big tree-, which symbolizes Christmas on this planet. This is our enthusiasm and what we want to continue to happen. Because Christmas begins today and must continue to illustrate and fill all of Spain, all of Europe, everyone, throughout the year. And it includes a very important word: “Peace”. “It’s the Christmas word,” he added.
Precisely, before the celebrations, the square was immersed in an act of respect. “This year the lighting will be different,” warned Caballero: “We are going to light this tree first – because of the big tree of lights –. And we are going to do it as a tribute to Valencia, out of affection and love. From there, we would like to send you all our gratitude, respect and solidarity. Our pain for the victims, for the damage caused by DANA. The gigantic tree of lights, more than 44 meters high, illuminated in the colors of the Valencian flag, started projecting the message ‘Forza Valencia’ to the sound of the regional anthem. In front, Caballero and his team, in a horizontal line, waited for it to completely ring.
The countdown
At the end, in the middle of a “forest” of still dead trees, the councilor started the countdown. “Three, two, one, zero!” And there was light. The whole square lit up, the tall trees lit up and “came to life”, and the Christmas carols began. Looking up, the vision was spectacular: a colossal star, crowning the very large fir tree, became an explosion of colors reminiscent of the shape of a fireworks display.
With the music still playing and in front of a crowd of people who began to disperse to explore the lighting of the different streets, Caballero sent a final message: “Forza Valencia, visit Valencia!” Long live Vigo! Christmas has started on the planet! Before!”
