Las Palmas, a charming city located in the Canary Islands, recently celebrated Barcelona’s 125th birthday with a unique and unexpected gift – a bitter surprise.
The city of Las Palmas, known for its vibrant culture, stunning beaches, and warm weather, decided to mark Barcelona’s milestone birthday in a truly unconventional way. Instead of the usual gifts of cakes, balloons, and confetti, Las Palmas chose to present Barcelona with a bitter gift – a giant sculpture made entirely of bitter oranges.
The sculpture, aptly named “Beri Kado Pahit” which translates to “Bitter Gift” in Indonesian, was created by local artists using over 1,000 bitter oranges sourced from the city’s orchards. The sculpture, standing over 10 feet tall, was designed to symbolize the ups and downs, the sweet and bitter moments, that Barcelona has experienced over its 125 years of existence.
The bitter oranges used in the sculpture were chosen not only for their symbolic meaning but also for their connection to the city of Las Palmas. The bitter orange trees, also known as Seville oranges, are a common sight in the city and are often used to make marmalade and other citrus products.
The unveiling of the “Beri Kado Pahit” sculpture was met with mixed reactions from the residents of Barcelona. Some found the gesture to be a creative and thought-provoking way to celebrate the city’s birthday, while others were puzzled by the choice of a bitter gift.
Despite the mixed reactions, the “Beri Kado Pahit” sculpture served as a reminder that birthdays are not always about sweetness and joy, but also about reflection and growth. Barcelona, a city with a rich history and a vibrant culture, has indeed experienced its fair share of bitter moments over the years, but has always emerged stronger and more resilient.
As Las Palmas and Barcelona continue to celebrate this milestone birthday, the “Beri Kado Pahit” sculpture will stand as a testament to the complexities and challenges of city life, and a reminder that even in the face of bitterness, there is always room for growth, transformation, and new beginnings.
