Castro Urdiales, (EFE).- Countdown with the last rehearsals and hammer blows on the stages that will transform Castro Urdiales into the Jerusalem of 2,000 years ago to revive, on Good Friday, a unique Living Passion that returns “without fear” after two absences and a year of transition due to the pandemic.
And it is that, the blows of the coronavirus caused, as a “precaution”, some of the more than 700 amateur actors that make up the Via Crucis to think about going on stage last year, even if it was with a mask hidden under the tunic.
“That has already been forgotten and now we are calmer, more focused and prepared,” the coordinator of the Living Passion, José Ramón Arozamena, explains enthusiastically to EFE, because the maximum number of participants was completed a month ago after running out of clothing stocks.
He has always defended that, although a wide cast of protagonists stands out, even the smallest of the extras that lacks a script plays a decisive role in the gearing of this festival of national tourist interest that “is born from the town”.
The Christ of 2019
Alejandro Izurieta, who already represented Christ in the 2019 edition, will once again be the son of God for a few hours and will recreate, together with his companions, the episodes of the last supper, the arrest, the Sanhedrin trial, the repentance of Judas, the whipping, the crucifixion and his own death and resurrection.
A ‘déjà vu’ motivated by the break in the logical line of succession of the main role due to the pandemic and which, according to Arozamena clarifies, will make sense in the next edition, since it is usual for it to represent Jesus who now plays Juan.
However, the fact that this unwritten rule is transgressed exceptionally also has positive aspects for the actors, such as the value of experience.
An appreciation that Alejandro himself subscribes to, who, at 25 years old, relives this new opportunity with maturity to enjoy the moment, but without ceasing to polish those intrinsic aspects of his role
He admits that four years ago he was “more of a child” and, perhaps, he lacked a little more “tranquility” to function perfectly in certain scenes in which he was somewhat conditioned by nerves.
a family passion
Entrepreneur in the field of leisure and free time, Alejandro eagerly awaits the moment to take from his reliquary the objects that he already carried in the Living Passion of 2019, such as the sandals that shine on certain days and that have become an exclusive “amulet ”.
He will also meet again in the hard and emotional moments of the passion with the Virgin Mary, his mother in real life, with whom he has a “magical” connection.
Not surprisingly, his grandparents were part of the group of people who almost 40 years ago decided to represent the life of Jesus with real characters and that each edition seduces thousands of onlookers in Castro Urdiales.
Since then, the Pasión Viviente cultural association has become a “great family” that is in charge of organizing this non-profit show, added to other events such as the Living Nativity Scene at Christmas.
By Miguel Ramos