What began as a childhood fascination with Holy Week eventually became a project spanning almost two decades. Each year, Jorge Martínez López recreates the Holy Week processions of Tarancón, Spain, using Playmobil figures and stop-motion animation—combining creativity, tradition, and faith.
Since he was a child, Holy Week in Tarancón has held a special place in Jorge’s life.
“I made drawings, I built my own floats with whatever I had on hand, I collected holy cards, and above all, I participated in it,” he said in an interview with ChurchPOP.
In 2009, he discovered stop-motion animation, a technique that creates movement from photographs taken frame by frame. Fascinated by the idea, he began experimenting with short videos as he learned the process.
A year later, he launched his own YouTube channel and began publishing a variety of content, including local television programs and creative projects. When Holy Week arrived, he realized he could also share that beloved tradition through his videos. This led to the first reenactments of the Tarancón processions.
Since then, new editions of these videos have been released every year. Today, the project includes 17 uninterrupted seasons.
A Project That Lasts All Year
Behind each video are months of work. As soon as one Holy Week ends, Jorge begins preparing for the next one. The process includes reviewing previous videos, identifying areas for improvement, and repairing any damage to sets or figures.
“During the preceding months, new floats or sets are built, adding elements or whatever is necessary. Around October or November, the videos begin to take shape, the processional marches are chosen, and once everything is ready, filming begins—which usually lasts two to three months.”
One of the aspects he pays the most attention to in his reenactments is fidelity to reality. His goal is to represent, as accurately as possible, the essence of each brotherhood and the Holy Week processions of Tarancón.
Although he has occasionally received comments claiming the representation is “disrespectful,” Jorge insists his intention is exactly the opposite: to share the message of Holy Week in an approachable way.
“It’s a phenomenon that helps the little ones get closer to the faith. I use dolls that are familiar to them, from their environment, and it helps them better understand the message,” he explained.
A Way to Share the Faith
For Jorge, recreating Holy Week is not just a creative project—it also has deep personal and spiritual meaning.
“Recreating and sharing it makes me feel like I’m contributing to leaving a legacy of our faith and our history for future generations. For me, it’s the creation of a very important audiovisual heritage.”
He is also convinced that art can be a powerful tool for evangelization.
“I think my videos are similar to when an artist creates a painting or a sculptor makes a work of art. It’s a way of expressing my faith and, above all, evangelizing, since they reach many people. It allows something abstract—something difficult for non-believers to understand—to take shape and become visible.”
“I Hope to Continue for Many More Years”
After working on this project for so long, Jorge also has advice for those who want to use their talents in the service of the faith.
“You have to be consistent and not seek success. These videos are designed to express your faith, culture, and roots. Above all, make the videos you like, with authenticity.”
Jorge knows he could have chosen to recreate the famous Holy Weeks of cities like Seville or Málaga, which might have brought him greater visibility. However, he chose to remain faithful to his own community.
“I chose to continue with my small town, Tarancón, because sharing my own faith and that of my neighbors is what fills my heart the most and is the service I truly want to offer.”
After 17 years of uninterrupted work, Jorge continues to enjoy the journey and hopes to keep bringing to life—on a miniature scale—one of his city's most important traditions.