The Stalls in the Park, for Everyone: from Nativity Scenes to Figurines for Geeky Audiences

The stalls at the Park are Christmas-themed, but not only that. The tradition to extend and preserve is that of pluralism. In terms of food, a kebab coexists with steaming churros and fritters. And among the stalls, the traditional ones with hundreds of figurines with which regular customers enhance their nativity scenes year after year, and newer ones like the one managed by Jonathan Echevarría with his partner Esther Vera, where all kinds of gadgets related to the anime universe are for sale. There, Lizzy, aged 22, and Rafa, aged 27, were shopping. We had already met them before at another similar, crowded booth: “We’ll probably pick up one of those two-euro figurines,” they commented, pointing at Star Wars, Marvel, Pokemon figures... They had met with some friends to spend the afternoon strolling around the Park, discovered these small shops, and couldn’t resist the temptation to take a look and buy. They confess that they also bought scented candles at another store. Because at the Park fair there are also clothes, jewelry, thermal bags, books, socks, designer mugs and cutlery... and even souvenirs from Málaga.

But not everyone likes it, like Luisa Heredia, who, seeing a journalist taking notes in a notebook, wants her opinion to be recorded: “I came here to see nativity scenes; there used to be more figurine stalls. To buy souvenirs, there are other stores throughout the city,” she comments. Conchi Serrano, who runs one of these stalls with her husband selling nativity scenes, shepherds, and Wise Men, recognizes that this tradition is declining. Either that, or it’s because houses are getting smaller and there's no room to set up a large nativity scene or to store it afterward, she reflects. Although at that stall, 'Judea', they have customers who have been buying an additional piece each Christmas for twenty years. Because the good ones aren't cheap: a nativity scene can range between 100 and 300 euros, as well as the three Wise Men, and an individual figurine, between 20 and 50 euros.

In addition to the nativity tradition waning among the youth, this year in particular is being generally a bit weaker, according to the evaluation made by the vendors. And they attribute it to two reasons: the weather and also because the public is more cautious with their money because these are the most expensive holidays for both eating at home and out, without salaries having risen accordingly. Regarding the first point, Francisco Salinas, who runs one of the nativity stalls, humorously recalls one of his trade’s sayings: “Wet street, empty drawer.” But Conchi Serrano, rather than blaming the sky, blames the mobile phone: “Years ago I used to sell a lot even on rainy days. But now people look at the phone and if the forecast says it's going to rain, they don't go out, even if only a few drops fall or none at all.” The people from Málaga stay indoors with the threat of showers; but Nuria Díaz, who is mainly selling fireworks (“it’s the most appealing,” she says), in addition to “trendy toys,” like K-Pop and Stitch plushies, notes that “the tourists do come out on rainy days.” Although there are some who seem to have benefited from the cold weather these days in Málaga: Francis González, who sells hats for 8 or 9 euros and hats for 35 and 45 euros.

“Years ago I used to sell a lot even on rainy days. But now people look at the phone and if the forecast says it's going to rain, they don't go out, even if only a few drops fall or none at all”

As for family economies, Jesús Jiménez, with a stall selling candies and more casual Christmas items like tambourines, foam cans, and headbands, suspects that people “don’t have as much to spend,” although firecrackers (small fireworks) are still a hit among both children and adults wanting to have fun: they cost just 1.50 euros and keep the kids entertained while they walk through the Park, although they no longer scare anyone because the small explosion has become part of the place's soundtrack every year. Joke items, like overly realistic excrement or firecracker cigars, however, have ceased to be the 'hit' they once were: at least that's how the vendors perceive it, seeing parents less willing to spend a few euros on those objects.

An Afternoon with the Family

Because yes, it is still a tradition to go with the family for a stroll around the Park stalls, to snack on fritters, churros, or cotton candy, before or after going to see the light and music show on Larios or the videomapping of the Cathedral. That was the plan yesterday for Patricia Fernández, who was accompanied by other adults and a group of equally charming and uncontrollable children, who are school friends and had not seen each other for many days and missed each other. Or Reme and Paco, who walked with their great-niece, Marta, seven years old, who was entertained with the ball she had just bought and waiting to taste the cotton candy so that the time until the arrival of the Three Wise Men loaded with gifts feels shorter because she says she has been very good and her elders confirm it. Or Sergio and Silvia with their children aged six and eight, both fans of the firecrackers. It's a Christmas for all audiences, for locals and also visitors, like a large family from La Rioja or that of Manuel Valiente, from Jerez, who makes a lightning visit for a day to the capital of the Costa del Sol.