Estepa lights up Christmas on Friday with a message of peace to space

Estepa switches on its Christmas lights this Friday, November 6, and it does so with a novelty: the children of the town will send a message of peace into space. The event is at 18:30 at Plaza del Carmen and to take part you only need to bring a flashlight. Participants will send out with light signals, in morse code, the letters that make up the word PAZ. The action, called Estepa Light Christmas Misión 1, has the collaboration of the Agencia Espacial Española. The message will be recorded from the air and later sent to that body for sending into space. Thousands of schoolchildren, families and neighbours who want to join in are expected at the event. The official switching on of the lights is scheduled for around 20:00, once night has fallen. The day will also include musical performances and other activities to enjoy as a family. Plaza del Carmen will have a special light attraction this year that will make it one of the main meeting points of Estepa's Christmas. The mayor, Antonio Jesús Muñoz, has explained that bringing the switching on forward responds to the municipal commitment to local commerce and to the mantecado and polvorón sector, which faces its busiest season. «At this time of year our mantecado and polvorón shops are already open and receive thousands of visitors,» Muñoz said during the presentation of the programme, which was also attended by the councillor for Festejos, Manuel Rodríguez. To take part in the mission you must go at 18:30 on Friday, November 6 to Plaza del Carmen with a flashlight. The activity is open to schoolchildren, families and anyone who wants to join in.