Gran Canaria, January 2009.
The Las Canteras Sand Nativity Scene has once again transformed the beach into a space of ephemeral art, solidarity, and collective emotion. Considered the largest sand nativity scene in Spain, it covers an area of 600 square meters and required 270 tons of sand for its construction.
Having concluded its third edition, this open-air exhibition received more than 130,000 visitors between December 5, 2008 and January 9, 2009, establishing itself as one of the most anticipated Christmas events in Gran Canaria.
The project, led by the Canary Islanders Miguel and Aday Rodriguez and under the artistic direction of Etual Ojeda, has managed in just three years to build its own identity that transcends borders: a monumental nativity scene made only of sand and water, molded by artists from different parts of the world and admired by thousands of people who walk along the shore every year to discover its new stories.
This third edition featured eight sculptors from six countries: Spain, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Russia, and Ukraine. Among them were familiar names like Etual Ojeda, Alexey Dyakov, Karen Fralich, and Fergus Mulvany, who, along with emerging international talents, created a collection of eight sculptures reaching up to five meters in height.
The 2008-2009 edition marked an unprecedented technical advancement thanks to the introduction of an innovative sand compaction technique. This method, developed by the Nativity scene's technical team, allowed for the creation of highly stable cubic blocks capable of supporting vertical structures and right angles that were previously impossible to achieve with natural sand.
This year's proposal covers a whole journey from the Annunciation to the Nativity in the manger and the offering of the Three Wise Men, narrated through different styles such as Realism, Cubism and the Renaissance.
In addition to its artistic value, the Sand Nativity Scene maintains its charitable mission, a fundamental part of its essence since its creation. This year, the funds raised through visitor donations were allocated to a joint campaign with the Red Cross, reaffirming the event's social commitment to those most in need.
As the machinery returns all the sand to the beach, the Nativity scene leaves behind the promise of surprising us again. From Las Canteras, this initiative continues to grow, with its sights set on the future and a commitment to continue uniting art and community.
