The elevation of the image of the Virgin of the Pillar, which will preside over the Offering of Flowers this Monday, October 12, has established itself as one of the most solemn moments of the festive program and, at the same time, as a massive event. More than 18,200 people have followed this emotional act, in which the mayor of Zaragoza, Natalia Chueca, and the archbishop of the Diocese of Zaragoza, Monsignor Carlos Escribano, have been present.
For years, numerous Zaragoza residents have approached spontaneously at the moment when municipal workers raised the image to the top of the structure, 15.5 meters high. Last year, Natalia's government decided to give greater prominence to this symbolic gesture of elevating the image, and in this edition, the format has been maintained, with the intervention of the infanticos of the Pillar interpreting the traditional ejaculation "Blessed and Praised Be the Hour" and the performance of a group of jotas. The act concluded with the anthem of Spain.
Mayor Natalia Chueca has expressed her satisfaction with this day by stating that "our patroness deserved something more worthy of our Virgin. From 20,000 carnations we have moved to 7 million flowers, the equivalent of the 'Garden of Europe', the famous garden in the Netherlands that is a major tourist attraction and spans 32 hectares. Tomorrow the Garden of Europe will be in Zaragoza, demonstrating the city's love for the Virgin of the Pillar.
"The Virgin did not appear just anywhere. She chose Zaragoza. The Virgin of the Pillar chose a firm pillar and could not have done it any other way, because we Zaragoza residents are like that. Firm and simple," Natalia Chueca added.
Around 75 workers, with a combined dedication of about 30 hours, have made possible the assembly of the large metal skeleton that dominates the Plaza del Pilar. The image, made of polyester fiber, weighs 15 kilos and reaches a height of 1.43 meters, almost four times more than the original figure, which measures 36 centimeters.
The crown with glimmers has a diameter of 2.64 meters. The mantle reaches 2.50 meters in height, with a total height of 6.70 meters and an approximate weight of 525 kilos, not including the flowers.
During the Offering, the intervention of 30 gardeners and 64 gardening assistants is planned, in addition to 175 people involved in the setup and development of the parade. About 260 volunteers and members of Civil Protection, Red Cross, Firefighters, Local Police, and National Police will also participate. On this occasion, the mantle of the Virgin will be made with white flowers, while the Cross of Lorraine will maintain its characteristic red tone.
Venezuela, guest country at the Fiestas del Pilar
The most emblematic event of the Fiestas del Pilar reaches a historic figure again by exceeding a thousand registered participating groups.
Venezuela will be the guest country at the Fiestas del Pilar 2025, with the intention of strengthening ties with this South American nation, from which more than 7,000 registered residents live in Zaragoza. Through various associations, they have been involved in the Pilar celebrations for decades.
The figure of the guest country was launched in 2012 with Ecuador and, since then, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Nicaragua, Cuba, Costa Rica, Bolivia, El Salvador, and, exceptionally, Ukraine have been honored. Thus, the mantle of the Virgin of Pilar on the upcoming October 12, made with tons of flowers, will show this year the floral flag of Venezuela. The central event of the Fiestas del Pilar will again break records, with more registered groups than in previous editions.