Hello, #vivers! Are you one of those who love Christmas and can't spend December without putting up the tree, the nativity scene and giving gifts to your loved ones? Or is it really not a holiday that excites you? In any case, if you are studying Spanish as a foreign language in Madrid, you may find this entry interesting since, in a matter of days, the city will illuminate its streets with Christmas motifs.
Lights, camera and action!
Write this date in your diary, because on November 24 at 19 p.m. the Christmas lights will be turned on throughout the city of Madrid. Streets, squares and buildings will be illuminated with different Christmas designs and decorations. Maybe, if it is not your first year in Spain, you have already seen these lights and can recognize the images and Christmas symbols they represent such as nativity scenes, the three Wise Men, bells, trees, etc. Other times, these are more abstract and avant-garde motifs. Have you ever wondered who is in charge of designing them? Well, we mention some of them.
Light designers.
There are three most notable lighting designers in Madrid:
The first designer is Teresa Sapey, an Italian architect and interior designer. Sapey participates every year in the lighting of Madrid, not only at Christmas but also in other projects. Her works are responsible for illuminating Serrano Street with a colorful forest of light, and the Plaza de Oriente, which has a large Christmas tree.
Ben Busche, German architect and designer. His designs illuminate cities around the world. For him, lighting and decorating is like doing magic, so he makes sure that in his projects the cables are not visible so that the charm is not lost. You can see its lights on numerous streets, such as the most emblematic, Gran Vía.
Sergio Sebastián, our Aragonese countryman. Sebastián has been in charge of lighting such representative streets as Fuencarral Street, Chueca Square or Preciados Street. An architect by profession, Sergio tries to combine his two great passions: architecture and lighting.
Navilight
As in previous years, this year we will also be able to enjoy the Christmas lights, walking through some of the most emblematic streets of the city in the Navilight, the Christmas bus. This bus is specially designed to take a tour of the main locations decorated with Christmas lights and motifs. It begins operation on November 25 and will be available until January 6, with the following schedules:
- From Thursday to Saturday and holidays from 18:00 p.m. to 22:50 p.m.
- From Sunday to Wednesday from 18:00 p.m. to 23:00 p.m.
On December 24 and 31, as well as January 5, it does not offer tours.
Prices are €7 for general admission and €3 for reduced admission (children between 3 and 7 years old and those over 65 years old. It is now possible to buy tickets online at the following in this link, where you can also find more information:
To take this bus there is only one stop available in Plaza de Colón (next to the Gardens of Discovery).
Of course, if you decide to take the Naviluz tour, we recommend that you dress warmly, with a scarf and gloves! 😉
And if you dare to come to Madrid to see its Christmas lights and take the opportunity to stay and study Spanish as a foreign language, in the Luis Vives Spanish School we offer you the Spanish class what you need, adapted to all levels and needs. Luis Vives Spanish School. More than lessons!
