The Belén Viviente, or Live Nativity, takes place in Arcos every December for one night only.
It’s a highlight of the cultural year, in which the Old Quarter is transformed into Bethlehem of Judea to represent the night on which Jesus was born. On Saturday I think there were 28 different scenes dotted around, and as usual the transformation of Plaza de Cabildo was the focal point.
Thanks to Emma’s social skills we found ourselves dressing up and joining one of the scenes, in a coverted garage. It was called the ‘Cena de los pobres’ (Meal of the Poor). Nothing poor about the food on offer mind you!
Being on the receiving end of so much gawping from passers by, rather than being the gawper myself, was a strange and slightly unnerving feeling. Comments from onlookers were entirely free of sarcasm (the Spanish don’t do sarcasm) and included:
You look nice and warm in there
Bon appetit
Thank you so much for what you have done (!)
Well, the thanks should be directed at Isabel and her crew, Emma included.
Jim
Click here for our blog posting last year about the Live Nativity in Arcos.