Spain: Controversial Alcoy epiphany parade takes place despite COVID restrictions

У вашего броузера проблема в совместимости с HTML5

Follow us on Telegram:
https://t.me/s/ruptlynews

Hundreds took part in the traditional Alcoy three kings parade for the Cavalcade of Alcoy on Wednesday.

The annual parade honouring the story of the Three Wise Men bringing gifts to Jesus has come under criticism and allegations of racism.

The costumes of the court servants with black painted faces with large red lips are seen by many as racist depictions of blackface rooted in colonialism, the participants however say it is tradition and not racist.

Translations:

SOT, Rafa Sempere, Secretary of the Sant Jordi association (Spanish): “It’s one way like another, we can’t recognise assistants, we don’t know who they are and they could dress in black as if otherwise disguised in another way. Here in Alcoy they have always been painted black, but it is like a disguise that is not disrespectful, far from it. Even here that we know coloured skin people coming out, there are also some who have come out today and are painted black and it is coloured, it is not disrespectful, much less and less in this town as the black king does not go last.”

SOT, Andres Raya, Gift delivery assistant (Spanish): “Of course, we, since we were little, have already carried it as a tradition and this comes from much much further back, usually we do not see bad that we continue to carry this.”

SOT, Aitana Sazarra, Gift delivery assistant (Spanish): “The truth is that it brings a lot of enthusiasm and joy to see all the children when we were going up. They all greet you and they are all already looking forward to the ride again.”

Uninterrupted since 1885, participants dressed as court servants climb up red ladders delivering presents to children, making it one of the oldest traditions in the country.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic the act at Plaza de Espana was required to be static in order to comply with current government restrictions.

#ThreeKingsParade #Alcoy #Spain
Video ID: 20220106-011

Video on Demand: https://ruptly.tv/videos/20220106-011
Contact: [email protected]

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Ruptly
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Ruptly