The Spanish postal company, Correos, usually issues two Christmas stamps: A-rate (for letters within Spain) and B-rate (for letters to most of European countries). One thing I like about the A-rate stamp is that Merry Christmas is written in the four official languages of Spain: Galician, Catalan, Basque and Spanish.
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This year, one of the stamps features a curious tradition in Algeciras (Spain): the Arrastre de Latas (='Can Dragging'), an event that originated in 1900.
According to the popular legend, the tradition began in a time of economic hardship, when the Three Wise Men left no toys in the city and parents told their children that they had fallen asleep. Since then, children drag cans with the idea of making a lot of noise and preventing the Three Wise Men from forgetting their city again.
Nowadays, tens of thousands of children and adults participate with creations made from recycled cans. Every year, the sculptures that line the streets are more impressive, and a competition is organized that rewards the most original and creative ones.
Go to Sunday Stamps to see more Illustrations!
Love the snails!
ReplyDeleteIf you look up pictures on the net (for instance) you will see very impressive constructions. I didn't know this traditions until I saw the stamp.
DeleteThanks for the link - people are so creative!
DeleteFascinating tradition and some very inventive constructions. The wise men will not be sleeping:)
ReplyDeleteI guess children won't let the Wise Men fall asleep never more!
DeleteThat's an interesting story and tradition.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marina.
DeleteI love this tradition! and it makes sense ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the children have plenty of presents every year since then!
DeleteWhat an interesting tradition! It does ruin it for parents needing to using the sleeping excuse though.
ReplyDeleteYes :DD
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