Wednesday 19 December 2007

18TH OF DECEMBER


As we are in Barcelona we thought we should tell you something about the christmas costumes here.

So we are pleased to introduce you to the figure of the caganer.

In Catalonia, as well as in the rest of Spain and in most of Italy and Southern France, the traditional Christmas decoration is a large model of the city of Bethlehem, similar to the Nativity scene.

The Catalans have added an extra character that is not found in the manger scenes of any other culture. In addition to Mary, Joseph, Jesus the Shepherds and company, Catalans have the character known as the Caganer. This extra little character is often tucked away in some corner of the model, typically nowhere near the manger scene, where he is not easily noticed.

There is a good reason for his obscure position in the display, for "caganer" translates from Catalan to English as "pooper", and that is exactly what this little statue is doing — defecating. The one who finds his whereabouts wins a coin!

If you would like to know some more come and visit us in Barcelona or....

We found some more info on Christmas in Barcelona here in this blog.

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