We have no evidence but we also have no doubt that the mayor of Vigo must be pulling his hair out with the Christmas competition that has arisen on the opposite side of Spain. From our own experience we know that Murcia has been going all out for a few years with its Christmas decorations and activities agenda. However, the surprise this year has given will be difficult to overcome because Richard Gere will be in charge of lighting the Great Tree.
Installed in the Plaza Circular, in the heart of the city of Murcia, the Hollywood actor will sponsor the final and definitive lighting of the lights next Friday, November 28 at 8:00 p.m., accompanied by his wife, the Galician Alejandra Silva. Although it may sound like an April Fool's joke, the actor's presence actually responds to a charitable cause: his support for the Aladina Foundation and children with cancer, in collaboration with The Gere Foundation. In fact, a couple of hours before this appointment, he will be at the Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital laying the first stone of what will be the largest pediatric gym for minors with cancer in Spain.
Murcia City Council
Why do just one big power-up when you can have two?
As we pointed out at the beginning, in Murcia Christmas is the living image of more is more. This year, without going any further, there are two different large lightings. In this way, in addition to the tree with Gere, there was already a very artificial opening ceremony last week in the Plaza del Cardenal Belluga. Of course, there was not only a light show with the Cathedral as a backdrop…
The celebration also featured the voice of tenor Martín Savi along with the UCAM Symphony Orchestra, artificial snow effects, smoke and pyrotechnics. However, specific lighting has been designed for this historic environment that can be enjoyed for the rest of the festivities, with two three-dimensional angels with trumpets and four volumetric lamps.
Murcia City Council
The most illuminated Christmas in the history of Murcia
Murcia has proposed this year the most ambitious Christmas display on record. So much so that 1,725 lighting elements were needed distributed between the city and districts, 759 decorative arches distributed in streets such as Gran Vía, Trapería, Platería or Alfonso In addition, four giant angels from previous years have been placed again next to the Great Tree in the Circular Plaza.
Beyond simply lighting, it is clear that the objective that Murcia is pursuing is to create an immersive experience for neighbors and visitors, with spaces conceived as meeting points to hang out in the company of friends and family, but also to take lots of photos.
Murcia City Council
Markets, fairs and plans for everyone
The Christmas agenda plans in Murcia are many and so varied that there is something for everyone. From its traditional Crafts exhibition on Paseo de Alfonso X to Navilandia, a Christmas amusement park on the esplanade of La Fica. Also passing through the traditional Cortylandia and the Glorieta market (with crafts, food trucks and a show program).
Among the new features for this year, the birth of the Murcia Xmas Fest also stands out, the first carol competition in the city, with junior and free categories. The final will take place on the 27th on Avenida de la Libertad. All this to name a few plans because Christmas in this Mediterranean region is becoming positioned as a top-level cultural event. The lighting of the tree by Richard Gere is just the wake-up call that the rest of Spain needed to realize what we Murcians have known for a long time.
Cover photo | @ayuntamientodemurcia and @richardgere
