The Christmas tradition recreated on a Gran Canaria beach
21 December, 2022Las Canteras beach, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is once again the natural setting for one of the most unique artistic works of Christmas: the iconic Belén de Arena sand art in the capital, which can be visited until 8 January 2023. This original set of sculptures, which is celebrating its 17th edition, has already become a must-see for both national and international tourists as well as residents of the Canary Islands during the Christmas holidays.
In total, this ephemeral work of art occupies 2,800 m2 in the La Puntilla area, next to the huge Christmas tree on Las Canteras beach, on the sand, next to the sea. “El Belén” brings together the talent of 9 international sandblasting sculptors. For the first time there is a Ukrainian artist, Oleksiy Poda, who has worked intensely over a 10-day with other great local and international creators.
Unique and monumental, the Belén de Arena shows 9 Christmas scenes in sand. A work by Pepe Dámaso, The Angel of the Dunes, has served as inspiration for the sculpture of the annunciation made by the Irish artist Fergus Mulvany, while another by Félix Reyes, modelled by the Canadian Karen Jean Fralich, will transport visitors to a one of the most important and popular festive images on the island, La Rama de Agaete.