The Epiphany in Madrid: How Modern Spain Celebrates a Catholic Holiday
Spain's official religion is Catholicism, so when so many Spanish people today identify as atheist, why do they continue celebrating a very religious Yuletide holiday? As an American coming from a country with no official religion and upheavals over red Starbucks cups, it was time to investigate.
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The Christmas season starts on Christmas Day, and the whole city is celebrating until at least January 6th; the Festival of the Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day.
No separation of church and state here: both churches and city officials spread cheer with decorations all over the city, particularly these belenes (Nativity scenes).
A bélen represents that the Christ Child came for all people—the holy, the laborers, the troublemakers, the children, everyone.
Crafting a bélen is a multi-year, intergenerational family affair. It's truly a Christmas tradition.
A political controversy: when a mayor decides to separate church and state by removing just one bélen, residents ask again and again to have this piece of their tradition back.
Tradition, family, and togetherness define this holiday, no matter the beliefs of its celebrants.
This research project was made possible by the Nanovic Institute of European Studies at the University of Notre Dame.
Special thanks to the Center of Undergraduate Scholarly Engagement for inviting me to present my research at the CUSE Undergraduate Scholars Conference.