Rei Pàixaro. A medieval tradition in Biar, Alicante.

STOP THE VIOLENCE IN VALENCIA: POLICE VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN ON THE STREETS OF VALENCIA

High school students recently took part in a peaceful protest in Valencia City to protest against their schools not being paid for electricity or heating. They were taught by their teachers how to protest peacefully. The police turned out in riot gear and treated the kids and parents like criminals. This is now daily life for many students and parents here in Valencia and there has been no media coverage of these attrocities. DO NOT SUPPORT THIS REGIME - MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD.

CHIEF OF POLICE ANTONIO MORENO, WHEN ASKED WHETHER HE CONSIDERED THE POLICE RESPONSE "DISPROPORTIONATE" SAID SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF "YOU DON'T GIVE NUMBERS TO YOUR ENEMY".

MR MORENO, I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU:
ARE CHILDREN YOUR ENEMY? ARE THE PEOPLE OF VALENCIA YOUR ENEMY? IS THIS BUSINESS (WHICH PAYS MORE THAN YOUR ANNUAL WAGES) YOUR ENEMY?

WE CALL FOR THE RESIGNATION OF ANTONIO MORENO, HE'S EVIDENTLY OVERSTRESSED, SLIGHTLY MAD AND CURRENTLY CONTROLLING A DANGEROUS AND VIOLENT FORCE ON THE STREETS OF VALENCIA AGAINST CHILDREN, PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS.

READ OUR PUBLIC STATEMENT ON THE VALENCIA PROTESTS AND POLICE BRUTALITY HERE

Spanish Fiestas

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On the weekend of January 14th and 15th, the municipality of Biar, Alicante, will hold its festivity in honour of San Antonio Abad, patron saint of animals. During the celebrations on Saturday night, a peculiar character, who goes by the name of Rei Pàxaro, will appear in the Gran Cabalgata as it marches along the traditional streets of the town, while parading neighbours set bonfires ablaze. The Cavalcade will end with the Gran Cordada in the Plaza del Convento.

Apparently linked to an ancient pagan celebration, the festivity goes back to the Middle Ages. It depicts the custom of collecting taxes on agriculture from the Moriscos in Biar before they were expulsed.

The celebration is a blending of the customary blessing of the animals and the veneration of a very peculiar member of the royal court, Rei Pàixaro, who takes the centre of attention away from the saint.