Photography: PABLO LASAOSA
After more than 200 years of absence, the Pamplona Cathedral once again has its own giants. In a historic weekend, the Occidens Foundation presented the new “Kings of the West”, a work of art that unites 21st-century technology with 16th-century aesthetics, recovering a tradition lost since the Enlightenment.
The history of Pamplona experienced a chapter of reunion this November 1st. 212 years after the ancient giants of the Pamplona cathedral were set aside, the Cathedral presented its new figures to society: Alejandro and Elena, the Kings of the West. The debut took place in the Cathedral atrium, where hundreds of residents braved the rain to witness the first dance of these figures, which symbolize the recovery of a forgotten festive heritage.
A historical void of two centuries
The recovery of these figures closes a historical wound. The Pamplona Cathedral once had six giants (Westerners, Turks, and Moors) documented since the early 17th century. However, in 1780, an order from King Charles III banned “dances and giant figures” in religious processions, considering them irreverent.
The original figures were stored and forgotten for decades until, in 1860, they served as a model for Tadeo Amorena to create the current troupe of the Pamplona City Council, before their trace was definitively lost. Now, the project ‘Expedition 4.0 to the Middle Ages’, promoted by the Occidens Foundation with European Next Generation funding, has allowed this tradition to be rescued from oblivion.
Art, technology, and symbology: This is what the new kings are like
The new giants are not copies, but a historical recreation resulting from 17 years of research and more than 3,000 hours of work led by Pamplona artist Jorge Urdánoz Apezteguía.
The figures do not represent specific monarchs, but rather an allegory of 16th-century Western culture. Their creation has been a technical milestone: they have been modeled entirely using digital and 3D technology, to later be physically built with the help of master giant-makers Aitor Calleja and Mikel Eraso, and dressmaker Marta Arrastia.
Some of the most surprising details highlighted by the press include:
- Human gaze: The eyes have been 3D modeled, exactly simulating the real physiognomy of a human eye to achieve a hyper-realistic look.
- Symbology of the King: His breastplate displays the twelve labors of Hercules, and his crown bears 16 shields of sovereign territories of the era, symbolizing a universal government.
- Symbology of the Queen: Her diadem is an “altarpiece” with allegories of virtues and muses, and she carries a scepter simulating a unicorn horn.
- Local nods: The queen’s earrings include apples in tribute to Jesús Pomares, the original promoter of the idea in 2008, and the coat of arms of the current archbishop. In addition, the fabrics were purchased from local businesses in Pamplona.
A massive premiere
The official presentation took place this Saturday, November 1st. The event included the blessing of the Archbishop of Pamplona, Florencio Roselló, and the presence of the president of the Occidens Foundation, Carlos Ayerra, and the Government delegate, Alicia Echeverría.
Under the rain and sheltered in the portico, the giants came to life performing two Renaissance dances choreographed by Marco Bendoni and accompanied by live music from the Miguel de Arrózpide shawm ensemble. The ones in charge of making these 80-kilo figures dance (35 kilos more than the City Council’s) were Pedro Cabello and Didac Domínguez.
¿Dónde verlos?
For those who missed the premiere, the new tenants of the Cathedral already have a permanent residence. Starting this Monday, the giants will be permanently exhibited in the Cathedral museum.
The Occidens Foundation does not rule out the “family” growing in the future: the ambition is to recover the other two original couples (Turks and Moors) if the necessary funding is obtained.
Sources and media coverage
To delve deeper into this news, you can check the original coverage in the following media:
- Diario de Noticias: La catedral recupera sus gigantes dos siglos después y Galería de fotos de la presentación.
- Navarra.com: Los nuevos gigantes de Pamplona reviven la historia del siglo XVI y Galería de imágenes del estreno.
- Agencia EFE / ABC: El Cabildo de la Catedral recupera sus gigantes 186 años después.
- COPE: Los gigantes vuelven tras 212 años: “Una ilusión de bastantes años atrás”.
- Iglesia Navarra: Los gigantes regresan a la Catedral cientos de años después.
