The CLUN cooperative and Ecoener are promoting a traditional nativity scene that can be visited during Christmas in Santiago de Compostela.

• It will be located in the Noble Hall of the Pazo de Raxoi, thanks to the support of the Xunta de Galicia for this initiative.

Santiago de Compostela, 29 November 2024 - The rural cooperative CLUN and the renewable energy company ECOENER have promoted the installation of a handcrafted nativity scene in the Pazo de Raxoi in Santiago de Compostela, which can be visited free of charge from 29 November 2024 until 8 January 2025.

This initiative, promoted by two Galician companies committed to the rural environment and sustainability, seeks to recover the spirit of Christmas, while highlighting the values of rural life and respect for nature that both entities defend.

The nativity scene, which will occupy 21 square metres of the Noble Hall of the Pazo de Raxoi, had the support of the Xunta de Galicia, which opens the doors of its premises in the Plaza del Obradoiro, so that all citizens and tourists can approach this representation.

The recreation is made up of around a hundred handcrafted figures and a setting developed by expert nativity scene designers. The aim is to accurately reproduce the different passages surrounding the birth of Jesus, as well as reflecting in detail the life in the countryside. Each figure reflects a deep respect for traditions and origins, also showing the work of farmers and stockbreeders and the connection with nature that both CLUN and ECOENER promote.

For the promoters of this initiative, this collaboration is not only an opportunity to commemorate Christmas, but also to send a message about the importance of preserving fundamental values of these dates that should endure over time, solidarity, respect and generosity, as well as love and peace.

The official presentation of the nativity scene, held in the Pazo de Raxoi, was attended by the President of the Xunta de Galicia, Alfonso Rueda; the Regional Minister of Culture, Language and Youth, José López Campos; Mª del Carmen Martínez, Director General of Cultural Heritage; the Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela, Francisco José Prieto; the President of ECOENER, Luis de Valdivia; the President of CLUN, José Ángel Blanco; the Director General of CLUN, Juan Gallástegui and the Vice-President of ECOENER, Fernando Rodríguez. In his speech, the CEO of CLUN, Juan Gallástegui, thanked the Galician government for its collaboration and stressed the importance of the initiative as a way of conveying a message of hope and unity to face current and future challenges: ‘we want to show that the future lies in adapting to the new times without losing sight of values that stem from our own origins, such as humility, cooperation and hope’. In turn, the president of ECOENER, Luis de Valdivia added: ‘With the birth of Jesus, which is reflected in cribs like the one we are presenting today, our culture was born, which means freedom. In Bethlehem, the freedom of enterprise and entrepreneurship was born, as well as the freedom to associate.

The nativity scene can be visited every day of the week, from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 21:00, in the Noble Hall of the Pazo de Raxoi, in the Plaza del Obradoiro, in Santiago de Compostela, and admission is free.