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CHRISTMAS

Christmas ‘crappers’: Podemos boss honoured

The head of Spain's new Podemos party has become the subject of a new 'caganer' figurine, part of a tradition which sees some Spaniards decorating their Christmas cribs with statues of celebrities defecating.

Published: 3 December 2014 17:34 CET
Christmas 'crappers': Podemos boss honoured
The secretary-general of Spain's Podemos party Pablo Iglesias. Photo: AFP

The secretary-general of the poll-topping Podemos party is one of a new batch of the ceramic statuettes that Spaniards — especially in Catalan-speaking areas — hide in Christmas nativity scenes.

The figures symbolize fertilization, and hope and prosperity for the coming twelve months and have been sold in Catalonia since the eighteenth century.

Traditionally the caganer is a peasant from one of Spain's Catalan-speaking areas in a red 'barretina' cap. He is also often shown smoking a pipe. 

Nowadays, however celebrities are just as likely to feature.

In 2014, Pablo Iglesias, with his trademark ponytail, is joined by fellow newcomers such as Catalan president Artur Mas and Spain's new King Felipe and Queen Letizia.

The Alós-Pla family who make the figurines are hoping to sell 30,000 items this year at prices ranging from €4 to €16 ($5 to $20), according to Spain's 20 minutos newspaper.    

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CHRISTMAS

Thousands more families in Denmark seek Christmas charity

A significant increase in families have sought Christmas help from the Danish Red Cross compared to last winter.

Published: 2 December 2022 18:15 CET
Thousands more families in Denmark seek Christmas charity

Higher process for food, electricity, gas and fuel are being felt by vulnerable families in Denmark, driving more to apply for Christmas packages offered by the Red Cross, broadcaster DR writes.

The NGO said in a statement that more people than ever before have applied for its Christmas help or julehjælp assistance for vulnerable families.

While 15,000 people applied for the charity last year, the number has already reached 20,000 in 2022.

“We are in an extraordinary situation this year where a lot more people have to account for every single krone to make their finances work,” Danish Red Cross general secretary Anders Ladekarl said in the press statement.

“For many more, their finances no longer work, and this is unfortunately reflected by these numbers,” he said.

The Red Cross Christmas assistance consists of a voucher worth 900 kroner redeemable at Coop stores or, in some stores, a hamper consisting of products.

READ ALSO: These are Denmark’s deadlines for sending international mail in time for Christmas

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