One of the key events in the Catalan calender at this time of year is the pessebre...the nativity scene. Most houses will put one up, and they usually buy a new piece every year. The towns also do a live pessebre...with the local kids playing the parts of Mary and Joseph, along with a variety of angels and sheep. The three kings don't put in an appearance until the 6th, so they aren't present. The devil gets a look in though, and tonight he was roundly routed by a group of determined Catalan girls.
It does seem kind of odd to me in some ways I have to admit.
I haven't really managed to put my finger on why it seems so strange, but somehow it does.
4 comments:
It sounds like a neat tradition, though, especially since a public nativity can cause such controversy in the states sometimes.
If you think that's strange, what is your opinion on the "caganer" figure? (I don't know if I'm spelling it right.);)
I would like to see one of those live nativity scenes. It sounds neat. Here the kids have brought home nativities they made at school each year (both in the public school and the semi-private, nonreligious school.) Though who knows what will happen with that new freedom of religion law (I don't know all the details of it, or if it is now actually law and not just proposal-- Spain is already a "nonconfessional state" in its Constitition.)
Yes, I'm rambling this morning. Oh well.
Perhaps it's the rout that puts you off - a bit of violence amidst a scene we're used to viewing as peaceful and serene.
But if the devil is going to drop in, best that he be shooed away?
Hula...it is neat, though there is such controversy for so many reasons.....
Kate...the caganer....scatalogical to say the least, strange it's true....
I haven't heard about this new freedom of religion law, I'll have to read up on that.
Beth...so nice to see you back again...gotta watch out for those Catalan women....even the devil doesn't have a chance.
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