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For the opening of Madrid Río, back then the recently recovered area of Manzanares, and in the frame of the San Isidro Festivities 2011, a fire spectacle with over 8.000 illumination spots was conceived, creating a hypnotic atmosphere and modifying the surroundings.

An indescribable installation at the banks of the river and over its water level, with metallic structures of different shapes guarding a vast number of flames over its surface, projecting its reflection in the water and creating an intense and magical atmosphere that welcomed thousands of visitors during the days the exhibition lasted.

The event was conceived with the shared efforts of Ciudadano Kien and the french company Carabosse.

One of the most important moments and perhaps the most popular during the Gran Vía Centenary celebrations, took place the night of May 15th, coinciding with San Isidro Festivities.

The biggest stage ever built up in a great city: Madrid’s Gran Vía in its whole extension, from Plaza de España up until the junction with Calle Alcalá.

1400 meters of magical night at Gran Vía, without cars, with locals and visitors alike, as the main characters of a once-in-a-lifetime night. A huge carpet celebrated the centenary of Gran Vía, painting the whole street from the junction with Alcalá until Plaza de España. This spectacular change in its appearance also modified the look of the thousands of citizens that covered it, due to the musical show, during the 5 hours that the evening of Saturday May 15th lasted.

To do so, we had a cultural common denominator: the sonorous and entertainment history of Gran Vía since its origin until our days. Genres as diverse as Zarzuela (with special attention to Federico Chueca’s homonymous play), Tango, Copla, Cuplé, Bolero, Movida, Musical Cinema or Musical Theatre. The night of May 15th 2010, Madrid had musical compositions for every liking, and both locals and visitors saw one of the main streets in an unusual and surprising way.

The team that nowadays makes Ciudadano Kien, directed the Cultural Activities in Public Spaces Office of the Arts Government Department from Madrid city council between 2004 and 2011.

It was then, when we shifted the concept of parades and festivities that were being done and we transformed the Cavalcade of the Three Kings into a street spectacle that trascended the mere child-like scope.

Inside this city festivities framework, we have carried out great festivals for family audiences; the creation of parades conceptualised for Carnival Festivities, mid and big size spectacles with the best national and international companies, creation and production of Zarzuelas due to Madrid’s San Isidro Festivities, etc.

The city becomes the stage, its plazas and corners are used as ludic spaces, becoming for a little while, areas for encounter with delightful content created to attend the necessities of the public.