For many Madrilenians, Christmas began this Thursday at 7:39 p.m. In a Puerta del Sol and its surroundings crowded with people, the mayor of the capital, José Luis Martinez-Almeidathe national football coach, Luis de la Fuenteand the six the children who decorated This year, some city streets with their designs have pressed the big button that turns on the 12 million lights that now illuminate the streets of Madrid with a Christmas atmosphere.
Next to the large, almost 37 meter high Christmas tree that reigns over Puerta del Sol, Madrid City Hall has once again set up a stage with the silver bud that has attracted everyone’s attention. And also, all ears. Especially when, in tribute to the people affected by DANA a few weeks ago, the Anthem of the Valencian Community. “Long live Valence! Long live!”, sang a Christmas children’s choir.
In turn, the urban areas seeing this magical moment was no exception. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in the city center and surrounding streets to watch the lighting, the collapse of some nearby subway stations and police restricting entrances to the square.
Before the expected moment, there was a brief circus performance by Circlassica artists and thousands of people sang in unison. everything with youof the singer Alvaro de Lunathe person responsible for giving the musical touch at the start of this Christmas.
With a countdown chanted by thousands of voices at the same time, lots of confetti in the air and fireworks, The city’s km 0 inaugurated Christmas lighting which reaches more than 230 localities in the 21 districts of the city.
In turn, the lighting presenter reviewed all the lights that illuminate Madrid and highlighted the great novelty of this year: the designed by first and second grade children who won the municipal competition.
“Madrid excels every year”was Almeida’s greeting when he took the stage. The mayor described the lighting this Christmas as “impressive” and recalled that this season is a time for children, especially for those who decorated the streets of Madrid, with whom he has shared the stage since they are in charge. to press the button with coach Luis de la Fuente.
The national football coach admitted that the mayor was his “favorite player, even if he was a coach”, since he gave Spain “one of the great joys” of this year.
On the other hand, Luis de la Fuente thanked Madrid for the opportunity to be the protagonist of the lighting – “I am very nervous to press the button” – and took the opportunity to send “of hope and a speedy recovery to the affected areas of Valencia.” “. Before moving on to the most anticipated moment of the event, de la Fuente took out two jerseys of the Spanish football team. On one of them we could read “Animo Valencia”.
The departure of the thousands of people gathered in the center of Madrid took place normally in the square. Little by little, the mass of the people dissolvedalthough several people waited for Luis de la Fuente and Álvaro de Luna to leave the stage, to be able to see them up close.
all the lights
The lights designed by the children will shine around the Plaza Mayor, including the streets of Sal, Gerona, Felipe III, Siete de Julio, Ciudad Rodrigo and Toledo. To this will be added a large star of 18 meters at the confluence of Cea Bermúdez with the Plaza de Cristo Rey.
In addition, at the confluence of Alcalá Street with Gran Vía this year, in front of the Metropolis building, the large bright nativity scene that the last two Christmases have lit up the Plaza de Colón. It is a 3D figure 10 meters high by 4.60 meters wide and 2 meters deep, installed on a support base.
As in previous years, there will be proposals from different designers. In total, the streets of the capital will be decorated with 7,100 chains, 121 cherry trees and a dozen large luminous fir treesplus other Christmas designs.
In turn, this Thursday, the Mayor of Madrid, accompanied by his government team, inaugurated the Christmas period with the opening of the traditional municipal nursery at the Cibeles Palace. A nativity scene that can be visited until January 5 and made up of 278 unique figures modeled by the artist José Luis Mayo Lebrija.
