BY KEITH NICOL
On Friday evening, Torrevieja’s Constitution Square became the beating heart of Christmas with the annual celebration of Carols in the Square 2025. Under a welcoming night sky and with hundreds of local residents and visitors in attendance the evening was hosted by international singer Shani Ormiston, who welcomed the audience and invited them to visit the charity bar run by the NGO Nueva Fraternidad, where many warmed up by enjoying traditional mulled wine.
This simple gesture set the tone for the evening’s warm and charitable spirit.
The music began with the “Ave María” Choir of the Polish Chaplaincy of Torrevieja, a young ensemble that, despite its recent formation, demonstrated sensitivity and reverence in its Christmas repertoire. From Romania came the colour and energy of the choir of the “Acércate a Rumanía” Association, “Chindia,” and students from the Romanian language and Culture course in Torrevieja, conducted by Lucica Loliceru.
Shani Ormiston took centre stage once again with a musical interlude that served as a bridge between performances, maintaining the elegant and approachable tone that characterised the entire gala. She then introduced the Ukrainian choir “Uanima” who were followed by a more light-hearted and jovial performance from “The Melody Makers” from the United Kingdom, an international choir that spread joy with well-known Christmas classics.
They performed Jingle Bell Rock, White Christmas and Merry Christmas Everybody, prompting many smiles and audience participation.
Nordic tradition was represented by Voces del Norte and the Nordic Choir from Sweden and Norway, with an elegant and serene repertoire with the choral programme finishing with the Blanca y Verde Choir of the Casa de Andalucía Rafael Alberti, who added the most festive and popular finale to the night. They performed Campanilleros, a medley of Christmas carols, and Niña María, encouraging the entire square to join in with clapping and singing.
For much of the evening, the audience was encouraged to be an active participant in the evening, singing along and clapping hands, all clearly reflecting the open and inclusive nature of the event.
The gala’s finale was deeply emotional. The Mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolon, accompanied by councillors Óscar Urtasun, Domingo Paredes and the former Director of the International Residents Department, Graham Knight, who presented Shani and her sister Jennifer Ormiston with a commemorative plaque and bouquets of flowers in memory of their father, Andy Ormiston, who passed away recently.
It was a heartfelt tribute to a much-loved person, remembered for his humanity and for a philosophy of life rooted in doing good for others.
Thus, amid songs, embraces, mulled-wine and shared emotions, Torrevieja officially lit the Christmas lights, once again proving that when cultural diversity comes together, it truly feels like home.
