The Offering of Flowers (Ofrenda de Flores) is the most emotional, world-renowned and multitudinous event of all those held during these days of festivities in honour of the Virgin of Pilar, patron saint of Zaragoza, Aragon and Spain.
It begins at 7:30 am and ends with the entrance of the last group well into the afternoon.
The people who participate wear the regional costumes of their countries and communities which, together with the beauty of the bouquets of flowers, makes this a very colourful event.
In 2019, it was estimated that more than 300,000 people participated in 803 groups (28 more than in 2018). There was representation from Bolivia, Venezuela, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Japan, China, Ecuador, Romania, Chile, Nicaragua, Honduras, Peru, Colombia, Panama, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea and Paraguay.
Last year, due to the pandemic, it had to be held virtually, with impressive results: more than 147,000 offerings, 361,000 visits to the website and 239,000 unique users. This year, once again, the Ofrende de Flores will be held virtually.
This year, this unprecedented municipal commitment to innovate and transfer the big day of the city of Zaragoza to the virtual worlds, delves into the union between tradition and technology, as well as all generations in a single 3D space, once again created by the company Imascono.
This year, the Plaza del Pilar in 3D version will once again become the meeting point for all those who want to experience the tradition, folklore and cultural activities of Pilar21 in first person and from any place and device. All this through the website www.ofrendadeflores.com, intuitive, dynamic and designed for all ages. As a first novelty, all those lucky enough to be able to make the Offering of Flowers in person will be able to see the messages that have been made in the virtual offering next to the structure of the Virgin on two screens, which will produce an experience of ‘hybridisation’ between the two offerings.
For this second edition, the Virtual Offering will surprise visitors with new, more realistic and animated recreations, including the night life of the Plaza del Pilar as a great novelty. Therefore, users will be able to enjoy a surprising design of the Basilica at night and the presence of the iconic fireworks throughout the week. In addition to the improvements in the scene and the flower mantle, new bouquets and different views of the square have been designed to share the offering on social networks.
