Rat-tossing at El Puig, Spain
The custom's origins are obscure, but revelers have been slinging dead
rats at each other on San Pedro's day for about as long as anyone can
remember...
El Puig is set in the heart of Valencian orange country, and many rats
come from fields around town, said Julio Hurtado, a festival organizer.
Some rat-chuckers go to the trouble of freezing rodents beforehand, so
they won't get caught short on the great day, locals say...
Mr. Montesinos is critical of those who want to stop rat-tossing. "We can't lose the very thing that makes us unique," he said...
Nobody's sure what will happen this Sunday, but some animal-rights
supporters have just about given up on changing El Puig. "The only
reason anyone ever pays attention to El Puig is because of the rats,"
said Silvia Barquero, a leader of Spain's animal-rights party, Pacma.
"Really, I think they're very proud of their rats."
More at the
Wall Street Journal.
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ReplyDeleteIn Spain we have many celebrations a lot more savage than this one at El Puig. Try googling "El toro de la Vega". We are proud of them! (ironically speaking)
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Barcelona