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Row in Madrid as 'three kings' parade set to have two kings and a queen Row in Madrid as 'three kings' parade set to have two kings and a queen
(35 minutes later)
Plans to replace one of the three kings with a queen in several of Madrid’s post-Christmas cavalcades have been described as an attack on religious tradition by conservatives on the city council.Plans to replace one of the three kings with a queen in several of Madrid’s post-Christmas cavalcades have been described as an attack on religious tradition by conservatives on the city council.
In the eastern city district of San Blas-Canillejas, those organising the district’s parade voted to make the swap in reference to the work on gender equality being carried out by local associations.In the eastern city district of San Blas-Canillejas, those organising the district’s parade voted to make the swap in reference to the work on gender equality being carried out by local associations.
“I don’t have any problem with it,” said Marta Gómez Lahoz of Ahora Madrid, the leftist coalition that leads the city council, on Tuesday. She noted that the council was not involved in making the decision.“I don’t have any problem with it,” said Marta Gómez Lahoz of Ahora Madrid, the leftist coalition that leads the city council, on Tuesday. She noted that the council was not involved in making the decision.
The queen will likely replace either Melchior or Caspar, she said. The southern district of Puente de Vallecas has said it plans to do the same, and the idea is also being considered in the district of Usera.The queen will likely replace either Melchior or Caspar, she said. The southern district of Puente de Vallecas has said it plans to do the same, and the idea is also being considered in the district of Usera.
The idea came as an affront to some on the city council, who characterised it as a misguided attack on religious tradition.The idea came as an affront to some on the city council, who characterised it as a misguided attack on religious tradition.
“It’s sectarianism and a lack of common sense,” said the People’s party’s Isabel Rosell. “It’s the fruit of a leftist phobia against Christianity and an attempt to rid Christmas of all traces of religion.”“It’s sectarianism and a lack of common sense,” said the People’s party’s Isabel Rosell. “It’s the fruit of a leftist phobia against Christianity and an attempt to rid Christmas of all traces of religion.”
The PP’s spokesperson in Madrid, Esperanza Aguirre, also spoke out against the idea, noting that the tradition of the three wise men plays out around the world with little fuss. “I’m in favour of equality but not silly ideas,” she told Europa Press.The PP’s spokesperson in Madrid, Esperanza Aguirre, also spoke out against the idea, noting that the tradition of the three wise men plays out around the world with little fuss. “I’m in favour of equality but not silly ideas,” she told Europa Press.
She worried about what children would think of the change. “Those who want to do away with Christian traditions are doing all sorts of things that really bother me, particularly when they affect children,” said Aguirre.She worried about what children would think of the change. “Those who want to do away with Christian traditions are doing all sorts of things that really bother me, particularly when they affect children,” said Aguirre.
Madrid’s city council made headlines earlier this year when they promised to find a black person to play the role of Balthazar in this year’s three kings parade, putting an end to the long-criticised tradition of white city councillors being painted black for the city’s biggest street parade. Madrid’s city council made headlines earlier this year when it promised to find a black person to play the role of Balthazar in this year’s three kings parade, putting an end to the long-criticised tradition of white city councillors being painted black for the city’s biggest street parade.
Many social media users drew links between the two headlines. “A wise queen is inconceivable, but a white Balthazar with his face painted is the most normal thing in the world,” tweeted one. “It’s absurd to have a queen. Everybody knows the logical thing is a PP councillor disguised as a black person,” wrote another.Many social media users drew links between the two headlines. “A wise queen is inconceivable, but a white Balthazar with his face painted is the most normal thing in the world,” tweeted one. “It’s absurd to have a queen. Everybody knows the logical thing is a PP councillor disguised as a black person,” wrote another.