THERE'S A NEW virgin on the streets of Los Boliches. Her name is Carmen (well, kind of). You might remember the Virgin of Carmen as the patron saint of mariners. She stood on the paseo about 10 minutes away from us for many years. But, just in time for her special day (today) and the procession into the sea, the old virgin has been replaced by a brand new one who has been received around town with mixed reviews. Although I had grown to like the old Virgin of Carmen, I never thought she was a very elegant public work. I don't know if the new one would qualify either, but I do find her much more interesting. Anyway, the plaza surrounding the virgin has been completely redone and is very elegant and inviting. The former virgin stood alone surrounded by road, which made it very difficult to appreciate her or enjoy her company.
HAY UNA NUEVA virgen en las calles de Los Boliches. Su nombre es Carmen (bueno, una especie de). Tú puedes recordar la Virgen del Carmen como la patrona de los marineros. Ella ha estado en el Paseo Marítimo a unos 10 minutos de nosotros durante muchos años. Pero, justo a tiempo para su día especial (hoy) y la procesión hacia el mar, la vieja virgen ha sido reemplazada por una nueva que ha sido recibida por la ciudad con críticas variadas. Aunque yo había crecido como la vieja Virgen del Carmen, nunca pensé que fuera una obra pública muy elegante. No sé si la nueva calificaría tampoco, pero la encuentro mucho más interesante. De todos modos, la plaza alrededor de la virgen ha sido completamente rediseñado y es muy elegante y acogedor. La antigua virgen estaba sola rodeada de carretera, lo que hacía muy difícil apreciarla o disfrutar de su compañía.
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| THE OLD VIRGIN. MUCH LESS APPROACHABLE. (SORRY. I CAN'T FIND MY GOOD PHOTOS.) LA VIEJA VIRGEN. MUCHO MENOS APROXIMABLE. (LO SIENTO. NO PUEDO ENCONTRAR MIS BUENAS FOTOS.) |
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| WORKERS ADDING FINISHING TOUCHES TO THE PLAZA. LOS TRABAJADORES AGREGANDO TOQUES FINALES A LA PLAZA. |
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| I WONDER WHAT SHE'S GOT IN THE PURSE(S). MAYBE THE KEYS TO THE CHURCH! ME PREGUNTO QUÉ TIENE EN LOS BOLSOS. ¡QUIZÁS LAS LLAVES DE LA IGLESIA!* |
*I know they're not really purses; it's the scapular of the Virgin of Carmen.
Sé que no son realmente bolsos; es el escapulario de la Virgen del Carmen.
I haven't heard that word 'scapular' since I was a child! They were the 'in thing' to have as kids to put around your neck (smaller of course than the ones your virgin has)......at least in my old parish in Halifax.
ReplyDeleteGotta love the irony here......a virgin carrying her child.
Jim:
DeleteYes, the irony, and the twisted translation of the virgin birth all those years ago.
I love all the flowers they've planted around her! Are the purple and white ones in the shape of a star? And would that be for Stella Maris, Star of the Sea? 💖
ReplyDeleteJennifer:
DeleteThank you! There are two star-shaped flower beds flanking the new statue in the large plaza. It didn't dawn on me the significance. I'm sure you're right.
It's so amazing to think of a big religious statue in the middle of a public square :)
ReplyDeleteIs one of those buildings your building?
Judy:
DeleteIn the third photo from bottom you can see a bit more of the Paseo. Our building is just beyond the last building (whitish) you can see at far right. We've got the Catholic religion everywhere here -- except in public policy and personal rights!
Her hold on the baby Jesus looks rather precarious. Maybe she knows that a miracle will prevent him toppling to the ground with dire consequence. After all, he's got a lotta work to do when he gets older.
ReplyDeleteRaybeard:
DeleteI hadn't noticed that! I guess you're right about a miracle keeping him aloft.
Typical, an old woman being replaced by the new one lol.
ReplyDeleteCheapchick:
DeleteAnd a lot of very unhappy locals! Some don't even like the new plaza. I find it all a nice change... except for the idea of replacing an old woman with a new woman. At least, hypothetically speaking, she didn't get any younger.
the statue looks interesting
ReplyDeleteGosia:
DeleteI like it.
I like the starfish on her cape (mantle?) that show up in the last photo.
ReplyDeleteWilma:
DeleteI knew there was a lot of detail but I hadn't taken a closer look. I'll have to go back and closely check things out. The back is covered with detail.
Would it be irreverent to suggest that one bag has Nappies in it and the other has Wipes ? Says the old pagan.
ReplyDeleteHeron:
DeleteYou won't get any negative reaction from me -- the heathen. Before I read your comment myself, I heard Jerry laughing out loud from the other room. He loved it.
This comment made me laugh too! Good one, Heron!
DeleteGracias !
DeleteI cant compare the two because the picture of the original statue is so far away. The new one doesn't look that bad, although it's hard to believe Spaniards need yet another statue of the Virgin.
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteI've learned in my 6 years here that there could never be enough statues of the virgin! I'll continue looking for my earlier photos of the old statue. I think I have them on an external drive.
"You might remember the Virgin of Carmen as the patron saint of mariners..."
ReplyDeleteSo is the Virgin Mary ALWAYS the patron saint of mariners, Carmen or no Carmen? Or is there some virgin saint other than Mary that I haven't heard of? I think we need the Pope to straighten all this out.
Kirk:
DeleteI don't much get it either. There's a Virgin for every occasion and every patronage. And, no, I'm not aware of more than one "real" Virgin.
I like how She's standing on waves that appear (?) to have fish in them.
ReplyDeleteDebra:
DeleteI do, too. I think the statue deserves closer inspection. Lots of detail (and lots more than the first one).
How nice to see new public art, the world needs more beauty
ReplyDeleteTravel:
DeleteSpain has a lot of public art. Unfortunately, Fuengirola isn't known for discernment in what it displays (some of the earlier pieces are, for me, an embarrassment). Here's hoping things improve.