ReachExtra
It’s Christmas in Gibraltar! As in other years, Gibraltar’s illuminations place it in front of the other towns of the Campo de Gibraltar when it comes to announcing the Season of Good Will.
Hundreds of people flocked to John Mackintosh Square (the Piazza) to enjoy an annual event which attracts not just Gibraltarians but an ever growing number of visitors from the Campo.
Expectations were at maximum levels. Every year Gibraltar’s Cultural Services and the Gibraltar Electricity Authority place the bar higher and higher. Once more, the result this year was awe inspiring and a unique experience for young and old. Six in the evening was the time set for the start of the Festival and the Piazza was full to the brim. All waited for the starting signal. Children on fathers’ shoulders, young couples, grandparents and entire families filled the place to witness the magical moment.
Christian Santos was the marvellous master of ceremonies of a show that kicked off with the Sea Scouts Pipe & Drum Band followed by dance, Christmas carols, music and …magic.
Then it came to the real kings and queens of these celebrations, the children, represented by the choir of St. Joseph’s Middle school with their brilliant renditions of carols in both English and Spanish. Their singing filled all in attendance at the Piazza with the spirit of Christmas.
The Yalta Dance Studio which followed also delighted the crowd.
Then Christian Santos led the children and others in the countdown for the summoning of Father Christmas. The rising excitement was clear on the faces of the young ones whilst many of the older folk tried to film every detail on their mobile phones.
The truth is that nobody can resist the true Christmas spirit. Many joined in and danced to the tunes of such favourites as “Jingle Bells”, “Feliz Navidad”, “Let it Snow” or “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and other classics.
One after the other the acts and performances ushered in Christmas until the moment that the Master of Ceremonies asked that everyone should turn their eyes to the City Hall. It was then that the Yule tide spirit literally flooded in. There, in front of myriad disbelieving faces erupted a brilliant spectacle of water fountains colour and song.
The reaction of the people to such a beautiful and perfectly synchronised spectacle was undoubtedly the best part of those fabulous minutes.
The surprises did not end there though. The facade of the City Hall was used as a screen for a cartoon film in which Sparky the Elf searches for and finds Santa Claus with the help of the audience.
Finally the moment that all had been waiting for arrived. The switching of the lights by the pupils from St Martin’s School, Andy Prescott and the brothers Kian and Kale Barnes. The Piazza went into a frenzy of dazzling lights, music and artificial snow. It was a true welcome party to see in what will be an intense season to enjoy with loved ones in the spirit of the Nativity. In Gibraltar it is already Christmas.
