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It's 10 o'clock at night and a woman dressed like a shepherdess from Bethlehem is 2,000 years ago complaining about the cold. But with a smile. Meanwhile, soldiers pass by in robust hearts and a young woman wrapped up to her eyes affirms that "It opens this year . " A commotion of attires, laughter and sparkles that gives off a unique, singular Christmas spirit.
When December arrives, something happens in Buitrago del Lozoya, a town located 64 kilometers north of Madrid where this year celebrates the XXXI edition of its famous living nativity scene, a festival declared of National Tourist Interest that will take place on the 21st , December 22, 28 and 29 thanks to the participation of more than 300 actors , mostly inhabitants of the town, representing a total of 41 biblical scenes.
Blacksmiths, shepherds, dairy ... All the typical characters of a classic nativity scene take shape across the streets of this town that represents a show whose impact has only grown over the last three decades. The Living Bethlehem of Buitrago del Lozoya unfolds on a 1,300 meter stage that serves as a perfect replica of that little village overflew by a famous shooting star that inaugurated the existence of Christmas.
Faithful replicas of the professions
Of course, such representative icons as the Infant Jesus, his parents Joseph and the Virgin Mary, or even the cow and the ox guarding the manger are not lacking in a staging whose goal is to magic feed the hearts of its visitors during the most era special of the year.
A show that begins in the Plaza del Belén Viviente and that continues through the streets of the old town, including the coracha and the walls, since Buitrago Castle, unlike other years, has been omitted from the tour due to some recent works. During this ascent, the spectator can witness the perfect representation of the trades performed in year 0, until reaching the manger in which the moment of the famous birth of the Child Jesus takes place.
A 31 year tradition
Born in 1988 as a neighborhood initiative , Buitrago's nativity scene featured 80 actors and 11 different biblical scenes (they now reach 41). A work born of different influences that include from a similar idea seen in the town of Báscara, in the province of Gerona, to references from other Christmas parties such as Las Pastorelas, held in different locations in Spain and more focused on the representation of the arrival of the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph to Bethlehem.
What began as a humble excuse to reinvent the Christmas of the town ended up attracting more than 4,000 people, a figure that has increased to 10,000 annual visitors since in 1991 the living Bethlehem cultural association of Buitrago del Lozoya was born. A particular center of operations formed today by 130 partners where, throughout the year, the neighbors meet, study positions and assemblies but, above all, prepare to offer the best Christmas show in Spain. An effort that has made it possible that, today, the figure amounts to 20,000 visitors each year.
According to the criteria of The Trust Project
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