100 years of the Gran Vía in Madrid
2010
One of the most important and perhaps the most popular moments of the Gran Vía Centenary celebrations took place on the night of 15 May, coinciding with the San Isidro festivities.
The largest stage ever erected in a major city: the Gran Vía in Madrid in its entirety, from Plaza de España to the junction with Calle Alcalá.
1400 metres of magical night on the Gran Vía, without cars, with the people of Madrid and its visitors as the protagonists of an unrepeatable night. A huge carpet celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Gran Vía by drawing the entire length of the avenue from the junction with Alcalá to Plaza de España. This spectacular change in its physiognomy also changed the look of the thousands of citizens who took it thanks to the musical promenade during the 5 hours of the evening of Saturday 15th May.
For this we have a common cultural denominator: the history of sound and entertainment on the Gran Vía from its origins to the present day.Genres as diverse as Zarzuela (with special attention to the work of the same name by Federico Chueca), Tango, Copla, Cuplé, Bolero, La Movida, Musical Cinema and Musical Theatre.On the night of 15 May 2010, Madrid had a musical score to suit all tastes and the people of Madrid and visitors saw one of its main streets in an unusual and surprising way.
‘The Gran Vía yesterday became the host and protagonist of the musical of its centenary life.The most traditional street in the capital was closed to traffic on its patron saint's day to celebrate with the people of Madrid the anniversary of its construction.And as it could not be otherwise, they did not fail and she did not disappoint ‘.
La Razón
