One of the Christmas traditions for millions of families is setting up the nativity scene at the beginning of December or at least before Christmas Day. Whether in the home or garden, beside the Christmas tree or a bit further away, it can be simply the figures of baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph or include all characters.
However, the Christmas spirit doesn’t necessarily remain on land. For the past 15 years, Joaquim Kinito, a Portuguese diver living in Spain, has been illustrating this.
Kinito, as he is known on social media and beyond, brings the Christmas spirit to the underwater world each year.
Before Christmas Eve, he descends to the depths of the sea off the coast of Galicia to set up one or more nativity scenes among fish and seaweed.
This tradition has become so well known in the area that several friends and fellow divers have decided to join in.
This year, 32 people participated in setting up the nativity scenes. Joaquim told El Espanol that one of the nativity scenes was installed in the waters of Vigo, in Cangas do Morrazo, while another will remain submerged throughout Christmas near Vilagarcía de Arousa. The Vigo action involved 22 volunteer divers, and in Vilagarcía, 10 participated.
On YouTube, Joaquim shares videos of these unusual nativity scenes.
