Las Palmas de Gran Canaria skips traditional sand nativity this year

Las Canteras beach, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, will not be hosting its traditional sand nativity scene this year, one of the best-known Christmas sights in the Canary Islands, according to an announcement by the organisers.

«This is immensely sad news for us, and nothing breaks our hearts more than having to cancel this year’s event, to which we have devoted a large part of our lives, our time and our resources,» says the team responsible for the nativity scene in a statement.

The organisers emphasise that, for 20 years, the spectacular sand sculptures on Las Canteras beach have been «an integral part of Christmas, not only for the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, but for the whole world».

Sand nativity scene: Authorities give no reasons for cancellation

They therefore express the «despair» and «sadness» they feel in making this announcement, as well as their gratitude to the public for «the support and affection» they have shown over the years.

At present, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Council and the Gran Canaria Island Council, which were collaborating on this nativity scene for charitable purposes, have not commented on its cancellation or on the reasons behind this decision.