Live from the opening of the Holy Door (Dec. 31st 2020)

[ivar]

 

[NorthernLight]

Thanks, @ivar. I was there for the closing of the Holy Door in 2017 and saw little. This will be much easier to view!

 

[jungleboy]

Great - that should be fun to watch!

 

[alexwalker]

Thank you for this! I will be watching!

 

[roisinailishclancy]

Given the times we are living in, am hugely looking forward to seeing this Ivar. Thank you

 

[Honora]

Thank you for this opportunity!

 

[Rozenn]

Gracias Ivar for your dedication ! Somethings to long for !! Good omen for 2021!

 

[Bala]

Thank you, Ivar! Looking forward to watching this. That's 9:30 am Santiago time I assume.

 

[jungleboy]

Thank you, Ivar! Looking forward to watching this. That's 9:30 am Santiago time I assume.

No, it's 15:30 Santiago time with the actual opening of the door at 16:30. The YouTube time displays your local time, so it says 14:30 for me in Portugal, and if you're seeing 9:30, that's your (US Eastern) time.

 

[Bala]

Thank you! Saves me getting up in the middle of the night, lol.

 

[ivar]

There will be some music in the ceremony tomorrow... they made replicas of the instruments in the portico de la Gloria. You can see a preview here:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1343925695408467973

 

[Theatregal]

There will be some music in the ceremony tomorrow... they made replicas of the instruments in the portico de la Gloria. You can see a preview here:

How wonderful!!

 

[witsendwv]

Our last three caminos were planned around particular dates so that we could attend Carlos Nunez concerts. At one of those concerts in a smaller venue he played and explained how they made reproductions of instruments found in the cathedral in SdC. (I understood about 70% of what he was saying.) I think we were in Sevilla so he was speaking Castillian not Gallego, thank goodness! If you would like to listen to a little more before the Holy Door is opened you might want to watch his 2014 mini concert at the Library of Congress. Entertaining and educational. https://www.youtube.com/resultssearch_query=carlos+nunez+library+of+congress This link will bring up the video, which given where it was recorded should be much better.

 

[witsendwv]

Our last three caminos were planned around particular dates so that we could attend Carlos Nunez concerts. At one of those concerts in a smaller venue he played and explained how they made reproductions of instruments found in the cathedral in SdC. (I understood about 70% of what he was saying.) I think we were in Sevilla so he was speaking Castillian not Gallego, thank goodness! If you would like to listen to a little more before the Holy Door is opened you might want to watch his 2014 mini concert at the Library of Congress. Entertaining and educational. https://www.youtube.com/resultssearch_query=carlos+nunez+library+of+congress This link will bring up the video, which given where it was recorded should be much better.

I was told that this link does not work and to fix it, but I don’t know how to so the next best is to open youtube and search Carlos Nunez Library of Congress. It should be the first video. Mea culpa.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

There will be some music in the ceremony tomorrow... they made replicas of the instruments in the portico de la Gloria. You can see a preview here:

The music and video is stunning, Ivar. I'll be watching with my computer connected to my TV and sound system. Spare a thought for my neighbours, but perhaps not, because it will be midnight here. What a fabulous way to welcome the new year!

 

[Kathy Val]

Does this mean we can view it at 9:30 pm on Dec 30 Pacific Coast Time? (Spain is 9 hours ahead of where I live...)

 

[Peregrinopaul]

Does this mean we can view it at 9:30 pm on Dec 30 Pacific Coast Time? (Spain is 9 hours ahead of where I live...)

No. You're going the wrong way. It'll be about 7:30 am your time I think.
And you're problably asleep now not aware you need to get up early!

 

[Stephen Nicholls]

Thank you, Ivar! I felt I was back in Santiago again! Blessings to you throughout 2021.

 

[ivar]

Almost ready...

 

[Peregrinopaul]

The link is working Ivar! I find it remarkable that I can watch live Galician TV.

 

[Former member 49149]

I think I am following the link from the UK forum. And there are guys tipping away on their phones...

 

[nycwalking]

Ivar,

Thank you so much for this link.

I would never have known about this unless you posted it on this forum.

Again, thank you.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Does anybody else think the cathedral has been over renovated? Scrubbed to within an inch of its life!

Strange to seen the nave stripped of all the pews - just like it would have been "back then".

 

[Bala]

The cathedral looks spectacular. Hardly recognized as the church Icwas in just two years ago.

 

[ivar]

Starts very soon...

 

[Bala]

Does anybody else think the cathedral has been over renovated? Scrubbed to within an inch of its life!

Strange to seen the nave stripped of all the pews - just like it would have been "back then".

I think it looks spectacular, but I also agree Jeff. Maybe too much?

 

[Former member 49149]

Just so lovely to be sharing this moment!

 

[Dojo]

Watching from Texas. Using translator program to read comments. Looking for Ivar in the crowd.

 

[Dojo]

What is the meaning/significance of the flower display in Praza de Quintana?

 

[NorthernLight]

They are staging this from the outside square. Is this typical or due to Covid?

When I watched the closing of the holy door, they did the service inside the cathedral.

 

[VNwalking]

Just...Wonderful.

 

[Kathar1na]

They are staging this from the outside square. Is this typical or due to Covid?

I think they follow the traditional liturgical program for such an occasion. I've seen very similar images from December 2009 (Holy Year 2010).

It's odd. I am now so used to Zoom church services that following this on my computer screen feels strangely familiar and normal.

 

[Former member 91017]

Wonderful.... Thank you @ivar for providing the link to us. Watching the entire ceremony and mass from Canada.

 

[Theatregal]

Wonderful to have a chance to see this. Curious why there wasn’t the wall of stones at the door for the Archbishop to strike.

 

[Kathar1na]

Curious why there wasn’t the wall of stones at the door for the Archbishop to strike.

They decided to do away with it. One reason is the dust it causes and I vaguely remember that they do no longer have a wall to strike down, not even a token one, in Rome either.

It's all very symbolic anyway, isn't it.

 

[Bala]

Who is sitting in the red chair on the red carpet just below the altar?

 

[Kathar1na]

Who is sitting in the red chair on the red carpet just below the altar?

I think it is Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the current President of the Regional Government of Galicia. I think he represents the Crown (the Spanish king) or just the local worldly powers.

 

[Dojo]

Interesting quote posted by the Cathedral in Santiago during Youtube stream.

Non correre, pellegrino. La felicità – ciò che dopo ricorderai – non sta nell’alloggio ma nel cammino. Anonimo

Don't rush, pilgrim. Happiness - what you will remember later - does not lie in the accommodation but in the journey. Anonymous

 

[Kathar1na]

Non correre, pellegrino. La felicità – ciò che dopo ricorderai – non sta nell’alloggio ma nel cammino. Anonimo

I don't see any commentary. I am watching the live stream on the forum. Why is that in Italian? It doesn't fit at all to the liturgy, imho. Are you sure that it is the Cathedral who put it on? The Cathedral always emphasise the importance of the meta (the destination) and not the journey.

 

[Bala]

I think it is Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the current President of the Regional Government of Galicia. I think he represents the Crown (the Spanish king) or just the local worldly powers.

Makes sense. Thanks.

 

[Dojo]

Sorry, in the chat room. Showed Cathedrale de Santiago with picture - guess it could have been anybody.

 

[Kathar1na]

Ah, I didn't get it at first but it seems that the Pope has granted a prolongation of the Holy Year? That's why they applauded? A whole Holy Year 2022 in addition to 2021?

 

[witsendwv]

Ah, I didn't get it at first but it seems that the Pope has granted a prolongation of the Holy Year? That's why they applauded? A whole Holy Year 2022 in addition to 2021?

I believe so!

 

[Kathar1na]

Oops, that's a sudden ending ... Xacobeo 2021 (the tourism branch of the regional government) doesn't miss a beat, it seems.

 

[nycwalking]

I walked through Holy Door 2004.

November, 2019, I was inside Cathedral. There was plastic covering everything everywhere and nothing to see.

Now, Cathedral looks smashingly lovely.

This service was a high end to a low year.

Ivar, thanks again for link.

 

[Bala]

A beautiful ceremony and perfect way to end this infamous 2020 and start a new, holy year(s?). Thank you so much, @ivar , for posting and alerting us.

 

[Introibo]

Great to have a ceremony without a commentary. On the BBC we normally have Huw Edwards
talking over everything and rarely adding anything we can't see with our eyes. Producers seem
to be terrified of silence.

 

[Theatregal]

Hearing Carlos Núñez playing the gaita in the Cathedral and the final videos with all those amazing artists from Spain and around the world just filled my heart.

 

[Ivan_Prada]

Thanks Ivar for letting us know of this celebration. The religious ceremony was great and the post ceremony interviews with pilgrims and hospitaleros were excellent. Have a great 2021 and hope that we can meet in Santiago soon.

 

[Anik2001]

What a great ceremony! Thank you Ivar for the link! Now let’s hope we can get to Santiago next summer! All fingers crossed!

 

[Former member 91017]

Lost count of how many times I burst into tears from the emotional overwhelm. The knocking on the doors, the moment that the botafumeiro ascended in its first jerky motion, the papal decree... and when Glen Hansard sang... reminding me I have to go to the maritime museum in Baionna to see their little Currah...
This is the best use of my time on a NYE in my life.
Thank you again Ivar.... may you have an immeasurably easier X021.

 

[Caroline de Wit]

Thank you very much Ivar!

 

[Stivandrer]

I was an interesting experience, being far away, and watching all this from an all seing camera eye...
I was watching this, being interupted by the evening meal and then finishing it just now at my own leisure.
Watching the latter part with the impressive organ and the "Salve Regina" rendition by Carlos Nunez was amazing!!

 

[witsendwv]

A glorious cathedral, an extended Holy Year, the Botafumeiro, and Carlos Nunez. What a wonderful beginning for 2021! Happy New Year to all and thank you Ivar.

 

[Stivandrer]

Oops, that's a sudden ending ... Xacobeo 2021 (the tourism branch of the regional government) doesn't miss a beat, it seems.

oh, I quite liked the bits after the program, albeit very centered around Carlos Nunez...
The bagpipe galore section turns me on !

 

[Former member 2537]

Help! The recorded version of the Galicia TV stream (

) has gone dead, at least in the US. "Blocked in your country on copyright grounds." Another search result that fails for the same reason:
https://www.romereports.com/en/2020...he-holy-door-in-santiago-de-compostela-spain/

Does anyone have a workaround??

 

[Stivandrer]

maybe it will turn up on youtube at some time soon ?

 

[Stivandrer]

found it :

a 7 hour link.
Scroll forwaward to circa 3 hrs 54 for start of festivities

Good luck

 

[Stivandrer]

Help! The recorded version of the Galicia TV stream (

) has gone dead, at least in the US. "Blocked in your country on copyright grounds." Another search result that fails for the same reason:
https://www.romereports.com/en/2020...he-holy-door-in-santiago-de-compostela-spain/

Does anyone have a workaround??

look at previous entry
it starts as a youtube link ...

 

[Stivandrer]

Did it help ??

 

[C clearly]

Here is a 10 minute version from You Tube. (None of the links in the thread work for me.)

 

[Former member 91017]

Did it help ??

Nope. Glad I tuned in for real time.

 

[JabbaPapa]

First really good look I've seen so far of the renovations.

I really love how they have emphasised the Romanesque basis of the architecture in far better harmony with the Baroque elements.

 

[Kanga]

Yes, the renovations look simply marvellous. I do hope I get to see the inside of the Cathedral again.

 

[Kathar1na]

What is the meaning/significance of the flower display in Praza de Quintana?

I think nobody reacted to your question yesterday. Perhaps @Pelegrin can tell us more.

I personally think that the flower display is just part of making the day more festive. I saw a similar flower display on photos from July 2020 when the King and Queen of Spain visited Santiago and the Cathedral on the Apostle's feast day on 25 July 2020, see here.

I also noticed yesterday that a number of people, probably from the parish, deposited small bunches of white flowers into holders on the door posts and when people entered through the door they made the sign of the cross on the door posts. Intriguing local traditions.

 

[Kathar1na]

From a news article (translated from Galician with the help of Google Translate):

Every bit of the 50 square meters of the flower carpet has to be filled. Those in charge of the decoration for the Opening of the Holy Door are about 50 people from 12 associations belonging to the Galician Federation of Carpet Makers. The central motif is inspired by the tomb of the Apostle.​

​

"The motif are heraldic motifs of Santiago, the ancient coat of arms of Santiago that refers to the tomb and the star that guides us on the way," says Manuel Alonso, president of the Galician Federation of Carpet Makers.​

​

The title of the creation is "The Light that illuminates the Way". A luminosity that comes from the shells of crushed cockles, Celanova camellias, natural hydrangeas, dried or painted. The weather didn't help much, but it would be worse if a strong wind blew ...​

​

[It was] the first time in history that a flower carpet had been created for the Opening of the Holy Door.​

 

[Kathar1na]

Flower carpets have a long tradition in many Western European countries including Spain. They are usually produced for religious feast days, in particular for the (Catholic) Feast of Corpus Christi and the processions associated with this day.

I wondered about the "Galician Federation of Carpet Makers". It stands for Federación Galega de Alfombristas de Arte Efémera, so they are making carpets of ephemeral art or short-lived art. Their proper Facebook page is here and there are some good photos of their creation for the Opening day.

 

[Kathar1na]

That's what it looked like yesterday: the flower carpet in front of the Holy Door.

 

[Pia Valbak Schmidt]

It was so great watching this, every minute Thank you