Several days late and amid the hustle and bustle of Madrid residents and tourists wondering what happened to the emblematic tree that adorns the facade of the capital’s Four Seasons hotel every year, workers are already placing the pieces of … this iconic Christmas decoration. The majestic tree, which is part of the route to enjoy the lights of the center of Madrid at this time of year, will be ready next week and the hotel is already working to establish the day of the event where its lighting will take place.
Pedestrians who moved towards the center of Madrid during the Constitution Bridge missed the decoration of the five-star hotel located in the Plaza de Canalejas. However, this Tuesday, a crane and several workers moved there to start working on the facade of this complex, more than two weeks after the traditional switching on of the lights of Madrid, this newspaper tells from this hotel and confirms sources from the Municipal Commission of the Centro district. who authorized the meeting.
This delay is due to several factors. “This is a protected building that depends on heritage, so to carry out these tasks we need a municipal license,” they say from the hotel. The exterior of this complex, located a few steps from Puerta del Sol, was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC) by the Community of Madrid in 2013. The resolution of this bureaucratic procedure overlapped with the fact that several of the hotel’s “suites” – through which workers must work to place this decoration – were occupied.
The resolution of this bureaucratic procedure overlapped with the fact that several hotel “suites” were occupied
Added to all this is the arrival of the December long weekend, during which, as expected, a large crowd occurred in the surrounding area, which prevented the start of its installation. “The intention was always to place it,” they emphasize. The assembly time for this Christmas decoration is six days, although the exact date of the inauguration will depend on whether the sky becomes cloudy, because with rain this work must stop. However, the hotel estimates that by next week it will be able to complete its assembly.
13 million light bulbs light up the capital
On these dates, finding a space to pose next to the iconic façade of the five-star Canalejas can be a mission impossible and tens of thousands of people stroll through the center of the capital every day to enjoy the Christmas lights. More than 7,000 chains, hundreds of cherry trees, a dozen luminous fir trees and 13 million bulbs, the equivalent of a round trip from the capital to Toledo if they are lined up, will illuminate the city until Twelfth Day.
On November 22, tens of thousands of people gathered around the Plaza de Cibeles to see how the two-time Spanish rally champion Carlos Sainz pressed the power button on these lights that adorn the streets with a decoration full of traditional and Christian nods. An example, and new this year, is the giant nativity scene, 12 meters high and 5.5 meters wide, which will invade the Plaza de las Cortés, thus illuminating the lions that guard the Congress of Deputies. The image depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Child Jesus next to Saint Joseph, in a print that simulates the typical stained glass windows of cathedrals.
Of course, lighting does not only decorate points such as Gran Vía, Plaza España or Puerta del Sol. The Christmas spirit was also installed in more than 240 places spread across the 21 districts of the capital. In addition, for the second year in a row, it was the children of the first two years of primary school who designed this lighting. It was chosen through a competition organized by Madrid City Hall and the winning proposals have already been transformed into Christmas lights. It also welcomes ideas from prestigious designers and specialists who will be joined by newcomers thanks to the agreement between the Town Hall and the Association of Fashion Designers of Spain (ACME).
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