In Spain, December 28 is known as Día de los Santos Inocentes (Day of the Holy Innocents) and is the equivalent of April Fool’s Day in the UK or Poisson d’avril in France.
It’s associated with the fact that King Herod ordered that all boys under the age of two in Bethlehem should be executed in order to eradicate the new King of the Jews (Jesus).
Flour power
This has now turned into a fun day, none more so that in the town of Ibi in Alicante which has held its annual Els Enfarinats event for the past two centuries.
Residents dress up in fake military uniforms and appoint a mayor for the day after pulling off a generally bloodless coup d’état.
Needless to say, there is a battle or in fact several battles but rather than using guns and swords, the military might is composed of flour, eggs, fire extinguishers and fireworks.
Fines collected for charity
The new government enacts a number of crazy laws and if anyone is caught breaking them then they are fined, but the money collected goes to local charities.
Credit: Jose Maria Moreno Garcia flickr
Basically, it’s a free for all although everyone is warned about the dangers of bangers and after the morning battles, the combatants and audience stop for lunch before returning to the fray in the afternoon.
Next they stop for a dance, one more fight and then having cleaned up again, enjoy a celebration with more dancing, some food and drink.
After all of the anarchy of the day, guests are invited to adopt traditional attire for the evening event which should include a hat, cape or shawl.
Yet another unique experience for those living in or visiting Spain
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