The Christmas lighting that everyone would like to have is in Medellín
The Christmas has already arrived in Medellin. Since a couple of days more than 27 million led bulbs illuminate the city of eternal spring. The Botero sculptures, donated by the artist with the intention of rehabilitating the downtown area, they shine in the Botero square; in the square of San Ignacio, the first to receive electricity in the city, people wait to the rhythm of salsa and vallenato, those special days. J. Balvin, illustrious son of the capital of Antioquia, has just given two concerts and the whole world is in a state of revolution.
Medellin shines; and he deserves it, after years of war against the cartel and the shadow of Pablo Escobar, the one that all Medellinenses want to get rid of.
The lights illuminate every corner of the city
In the Malaga Hall , nostalgic old folks **drink red (as they call coffee in Medellín)** while listening to Carlos Gardel. Downstairs, young people learn tango.
Christmas celebrations in Medellin begin on November 30 at midnight, when the month of December is given way, and the people of Medellín celebrate their traditional alborada (fireworks) to welcome the last month of the year and Christmas . That day, at midnight and from any high point in the city, you can enjoy fireworks.
However, the main dish of these festivities in the capital of Antioquia are the lights that illuminate every corner of the city. For more than 50 years, the **Empresa de Servicios Públicos de Medellín (EPM)** has been in charge of it and, although it is distributed throughout the city, for five years concentrated in North Park (before it was done along the stretches of the Medellin River, which crosses the city, but at the moment there is a project to clean up the river) .
A woman walks among the Christmas lights
A MOVIE LIGHTING
Medellin is the only city in South America that is part of the Assembly of Enlightened Cities of the World (LUCI), since 2009, and in 2012 it hosted the annual General Assembly, which brings together more than 60 countries.
Each year a central theme is chosen, related to the values and traditions of Antioquia. This year, the theme is traditions: the crib, the garlands, the gifts. During the month of December, the streets of Medellín become a unique spectacle, with hundreds of volumetric figures dressed in multicolored lights that excite young and old. Proof of this is that more than 25,000 people visit El Alumbrado every year.
Along these years, Lighting has evolved as Claudia Zuleta, the spokesperson for the artisans of El Alumbrado, recalls. Initially, 25- and 40-volt light bulbs were used, but in view of the peak reached by El Alumbrado, EPM saw the need to change to led bulbs, to make it more sustainable and contribute to caring for the environment.
The so-called artisans of El Alumbrado work in the warehouses (Antioquians call them bodegas) for a whole year. At the beginning of December the work is finished. "We work hard because we know we have a responsibility: to give the city the lighting it deserves every year."
During the weeks prior to the inauguration of the lighting, These women can work endless days to get everything ready. Around 220 people work throughout the year on Christmas lighting.
A woman works in the preparation of the Christmas lighting in Medellín
The Lighting, in addition to being a tradition and making the city beautiful, encourages tourism, stimulates the economy and generates employment. "However, the primary objective of this initiative is to unite the people of our city during these very special dates."
Diana Rivera, 47, and William Villa, 54, walk through El Alumbrado on its opening day. “We come every year, because it is a Paisa tradition that we love. We liked it better when it was done on the banks of the river because there was more space to walk and the journey was more enjoyable, but here in Parque Norte it still looks beautiful”.
Carolina Ruiz, 37, really likes this year's theme (last year El Alumbrado was dedicated to wild animals and plants) and she prefers the new location. "I like El Alumbrado in the lake, because it is more welcoming."
This tradition is complemented by a cultural agenda with activities, among them the artistic corridors (more than 200 artists showing their work in both Parque Norte and Parques del Río), comparsas, parades and dance and theater shows for all audiences.
Children and adults enjoy the spectacle that is Medellín at Christmas
The traveler will also be able to enjoy two Christmas festivals of great tradition in the city: the Nutcracker Festival, an ensemble with the Medellín Philharmonic and classical ballet (December 13 and 14) and **performances by the Antioquia Folkloric Ballet** (December 15 and 16).
Likewise, both in the north of the city and in the west, specifically meeting points have been set up in the Juan Pablo II park for family and friends to enjoy these parties in company. The fact of having an average temperature of 24ºC means that Christmas in these latitudes can be enjoyed in the street.
PARADE OF MYTHS AND LEGENDS, PREPARATION OF CUSTARD AND TABLADOS
But if there is something that, like El Alumbrado, is essential, it is the traditional parade of myths and legends. Each December 7th, Medellín residents take to the streets to remember their oral tradition.
Leaving through the Avenida de la Playa, to go through the Oriental and going down to San Juan, they parade with troupes and evoke traditional myths. There you can see La Llorona, the Madre Monte, the Patasola or the Sombrerón. This year in particular, there will also be sample of myths from the different continents.
A woman during the traditional parade of myths and legends
If you are lucky enough to meet a Paisa family, the traveler cannot miss the traditional 'preparation of the custard' . before the 24th, family and friends gather at home to prepare this traditional dessert. It is the excuse to spend some time together, congratulate each other on the holidays and, of course. take the candy home!
And finally, it doesn't hurt to go around the neighborhoods to enjoy the traditional tablados, which have little to do with flamenco. Throughout the city, platforms are set up that welcome orchestra performance. party music, As the paisas call it, it takes over the streets to the smell of the food prepared in the different street stalls.
It can also be heard during these days lane music all over, traditional Christmas music from rural areas of the region and that tells raw stories.
THE LIGHTING LIGHTS OF SABANETA, ENVIGADO AND ITAGÜÍ, ESSENTIAL
Adjacent to Medellín, in fact, they are part of its metropolitan area, are the municipalities of Sabaneta, Envigado and Itagüí. By taxi, (easily reached from El Poblado), you can visit the lights of these three towns, not as spectacular as the one in the capital of Antioquia but more welcoming and familiar.
Touring the small squares of these three municipalities is how the traveler will be able to understand the true meaning of Christmas in Antioquia.
Envigado at Christmas
In the Sabaneta Square , is found the church of María Auxiliadora, the virgin of the assassins. There, during the 1980s and 1990s, the bloodiest members of the Medellín cartel would bless the bullets that they would later use to commit their crimes. They did not ask for forgiveness, they asked for aim. One of the many nonsense of a region that continues to struggle to understand that legacy and assimilate it to its history.
The squares of Envigado and Itagüí also look beautiful during these days. Comparsas and charangas become the protagonists, as well as the little children, who wait, with their faces illuminated by hundreds of LED bulbs, for the arrival of Their Majesties from the East.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CITY OF ETERNAL SPRING
However, not everything begins and ends in El Alumbrado. In addition to the Christmas activities typical of the season, the traveler can enjoy the endless tourist activities offered by Medellín: **do the Comuna 13 graffiti tour** and be amazed by the recovery projects of the commune, get lost in Botero square and the Museum of Antioquia, take one of the five meter cables and climb the hill to admire the views (it is essential to take the T-A tram line or the Ayacucho line and go up to the Pan de Azúcar hill), spend the day in the Arví forest park, in Saint Helena; either learn from the silletero masters and the paisa tradition of the silleta, considered intangible heritage of the nation.
For those who want to go shopping, no problem. In Envigado is Viva, the largest shopping center in the entire country. Also in Medellin there are many options for Christmas or non-Christmas shopping.
For those who prefer a plan with fewer people, there is the **Botanical Garden,** with free admission and a butterfly garden included.
And if, finally, there is something the visitor cannot miss, it is enjoy a good session of salsa, vallenato and bachata. In the 33rd street and, above all, on 70th, there are some of the most famous and traditional salsa clubs in the city. A good example is the tibiri , considered the temple of salsa.
For an equally local experience, but more select, we recommend going for a drink at ** Andrés Carne de Res , a place in El Poblado** _(free admission) _ with live bands and music for all tastes _ (open until 03.00) _.
Tremble Vigo! Medellin has already turned on its Christmas lights