Community Contribution
Nov 2012
Issue
78
SINCE 1971
FREE
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Winter Wonderland
Christmas in the Canaries Anyone who has ever spent Christmas here in the Canary Islands may well have found the constant warm weather and favourable conditions somewhat at odds with the more traditional image of this seasonal celebration. Though it is certainly a novelty to be able to sunbathe on the day, many foreign visitors and residents find themselves at odds and unsure of that ‘Christmas feeling’ when all the imagery and greetings cards depict snow, sleighbells and let’s face it a more northerly climate; but outside the window though there is more likely to be palm trees than evergreens. Added to this,
people’s belts being tighter than ever this year, Christmas really could threaten to be a proper non starter and somewhat detatched. So the fact that two visionary entrepreneurs, Tom & Tobias Greb of the infamous Facecook restaurant, have gathered together the mighty forces of municipal government, the department of tourism, and a huge group of artists and vendors of unique crafts, cuisine and Christmas fayre, is not only admirable but to be loudly applauded. If you have any doubt whatsoever about their ability to deliver the wonder of Christmas in Playa del Inglés then get yourself down to the Yumbo as soon as possible
www.SIOUXCITY.es
to marvel at the audacious scope of their project. Nightly stage shows, an ice rink, the biggest Christmas tree on the south of the island, elves and little helpers, thousands of illuminations, the bringing together of charities, community groups and people from around the world to make one single and concerted effort to ensure that this Christmas will be an absolute stonker, lasting throughout December and beyond. And of course the biggest Christmas celebrity of all will be in attendance to collect up all those last minute Christmas lists from children of all ages. He may even let you sit on his knee, if you’re nice to him. More than a thousand people
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this weekend attended the opening of Gran Canaria's Winter Wonderland, the 1st Maspalomas International Market at the Yumbo Centre. The official opening started in true Christmas style with the turning on of the more than 25.000 lights on the giant eight-meter-high Christmas tree, at the heart of the marketplace. The mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Marco Aurelio Perez, officially opened the event, commenting on the importance of this initiative as a meeting of cultures and a tourist attraction for the municipality. The first day of the Market was filled with Christmas spirit from musical acts and dancers to gymnastic performances from the
International Blume Festival team. The Blume team will also be at the Market on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Among the huge array of musical and dance activity were exhibitions of typical Canary islands folklore. Attendees were treated to a preview of the Winter Wonderland show, a spectacular Christmas production with professional singers, dancers and acrobats of many nationalities. The premiere of this show will take place next Thursday 29th November. Various artisan craftsmen will inhabit the 36 custom built wooden cabins, until mid January, exhibiting their products, selling unique gifts and demonstrating their skills. There are many
types of Canarian and German food, highly original Christmas decorations as well as clothes and trinkets. This dose of leisure and culture has been imported from the German tradition, where the Christmas markets have been bringing people from every corner of Europe for years. Stimulating interest in these local craftsmen this event simultaneously serves as an attraction for tourists and residents helping to celebrate Christmas in a myriad of ways. A Great Big Christmas cheer to Tom and Tobias for this mammoth undertaking, we wish you every success in the world! We look forward to seeing you all there!
Kanariska nyheter - nu med egen Nordisk sektion!