The Christmas program at Civic Square begins.
Alongside the First Lady and president of OVG, Valéria Perillo, Governor Marconi Perillo officially opened the Civic Square Christmas Show project on Monday evening (5); the ceremony included a fireworks display, the handing over of the keys to the State to Santa Claus and a blessing by the Archbishop of Goiânia, Dom Washington Cruz; the entire structure set up in Civic Square will be available to the people of Goiânia from 18 pm to 23 pm until December 25th.
Goiás 247 - Alongside the first lady and president of OVG, Valéria Perillo, Governor Marconi Perillo officially opened the Civic Square Christmas Show project on Monday night (5). The ceremony included a fireworks display, the handing over of the keys to the State to Santa Claus and a blessing by the Archbishop of Goiânia, Dom Washington Cruz. The entire structure set up in Civic Square will be available to Goiânia residents from 18 pm to 23 pm until December 25th.
Adding to the musical spectacle of the opening ceremony was a cantata performance by the Children's Choir of the Gustav Ritter Institute of Arts Education on the marquee of the Palácio das Esmeraldas. Around 100 children aged 9 to 13 participated in the musical, performing Christmas carols. The choir, which will perform again at Praça Cívica on December 9th and 16th, was accompanied by the Gustav Ritter Chamber Orchestra, conducted by maestro Dário Santos.
A staunch supporter of the state's cultural events, Governor Marconi Perillo stated in a speech that he is proud of the more than 30 intangible initiatives sponsored by the State Government to promote the arts, music, theater, and orchestras. He highlighted the work carried out by the Gustavo Ritter Institute and the Basileu França Center for Professional Education in Arts, both responsible for the musical training of approximately eight thousand children per year. "Government is not made only of concrete, but also of human gestures," he declared.
First Lady Valéria Perillo recalled that, alongside Marconi, she was having the opportunity to open the Civic Square Christmas Show for the 14th time. “The adjustments to reduce expenses made by Governor Marconi Perillo do not prevent us from investing in Christmas for Goian families. The national crisis will not stop us from continuing to bring joy to our children during the Christmas season,” she added.
Another highlight of the opening program was the performance by pianist Ericka Vilela, which featured the participation of about 25 children who are students at the music studio run by the artist. The performance included classical, religious, and pop songs alluding to Christmas. Adults from the studio also performed as soloists.
Santa's Village is once again the highlight of the square's decorations. Spanning 1.600 square meters, the tent houses a 25-square-meter nativity scene in the shape of a grotto, complete with running water, fish, and natural vegetation. It also features 15 figures, each 1,10 meters tall, representing biblical characters from the birth of Jesus.
The Village also features a food court, a stage for small shows, and Santa's little house. Fifteen chandeliers made of micro-lights create a visual effect in the environment, which also displays Christmas trees and various Santa Claus figures. The trees in the Civic Square were illuminated to create a festive scene for Christmas 2016. Children visiting the OVG project can enjoy a completely free playground.
The second stage of the OVG project will take place with the distribution of toys on Sunday, December 18th, at 8:00 AM, at the Goiânia Arena Gymnasium, near the Serra Dourada Stadium, with a show by singers Felipe Araújo (brother of singer Cristiano Araújo) and Bia Torres (semifinalist of The Voice Kids).