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'We want a real black king for Christmas'

Alex Dunham
Alex Dunham - [email protected]
'We want a real black king for Christmas'
Thousands of Spaniards have voted in favour of a ‘real black’ king for their January 5th Christmas parades. Photo: Alfredo Ruiz

Residents of numerous Spanish cities and towns are demanding that 'real black' men be hired to play King Balthazar in their traditional January 5th Christmas parades.

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Online petition site charge.org has been used as the main gateway for the campaign against white Wise Men with their faces painted black.

"It makes no sense in this day and age that King Balthazar is played by a white gentleman," wrote Miguel Calabria, head of the Madrid campaign.

"Fortunately, with all the diversity that now exists in our society, it’s neither necessary nor logical."

"Our children aren't stupid," reads another petition.

"They notice that Balthazar’s face is painted black and they don't understand."

Check out The Local's gallery 'Eight things you didn't know about Christmas in Spain'.

Thousands of Spaniards have voted in favour of a ‘real black’ king for the January 5th Christmas parades of Pamplona, Malaga, Tudela, Villena, Llobregat and Madrid.

La Cabalgata de Reyes is a traditional Christmas parade held in most towns and cities in Spain on the eve of King’s Day – Epiphany- when Spanish children receive most of their presents.

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