Controversy in Spain for "blackface" in the Three Kings parade

A man dressed as King Baltazar, one of the three Wise Men, throws sweets into the crowd during the Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos in Seville, on January 5, 2017 (Credit: CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP via Getty Images)

(CNN) --

A Spanish tradition of people doing "blackface" (painting their faces with dark makeup to appear to be of another race, a racist action) to represent the Three Wise Men in parades across the country has sparked outrage and calls to put an end to the controversial practice.

The parades are held on January 6 in commemoration of the arrival of the Magi in Bethlehem for the birth of Christ.

Traditionally, people fill the streets and exchange gifts to mark the end of the Christmas season in Spain.

• "Blackface", "Brownface": what are they and why are these practices offensive?

One of the magicians, Balthazar, is often depicted as a black or Middle Eastern man, according to Western church tradition.

In several Spanish towns and cities, including Alcoy in Valencia and Igualada in Catalonia, Balthazar's attendees also paint their faces black during parades, a practice that in English is "blackface."

Criticism of this controversial practice has increased in recent years, with calls for the use of blackface to be removed and for Balthazar to be portrayed by a black person.

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Baltazar's assistants in the traditional Three Kings parade in Spain.

Afrofeminas, an anti-racism group, wants the practice abolished.

"It doesn't matter what you think you're trying to represent. It doesn't matter that you think that's how you make children happy. It doesn't matter if it's a tradition. If you paint yourself a color that's not your color, that's racism." Elvira Swartch Lorenzo, a member of the group, said in a statement.

“The parade helps normalize slavery as something harmless and inconsequential in the collective imagination, which is completely false,” Lorenzo said.

Afrofeminas argues that the old tradition perpetuates modern injustices.

The "dehumanizing stereotypes" spread by "blackface" further fuel prejudice against migrant populations at parade sites, the group adds.

• "Blackface": this is why painting your face black is offensive

TV3, a television channel from Catalonia, told CNN that they only broadcast from the show in Barcelona, ​​where black facial makeup is not worn.

"TV3 has rejected proposals to broadcast some parades live precisely because they were doing 'blackface,'" a spokesman for the channel said on Thursday.

However, despite the criticism, preparations for this year's parade, which will take place this Friday, continue.

The organizers of the event in Igualada told CNN that "some 1,000 volunteers" will participate in the parade.

"Participation for this celebration is open to the entire population, without any type of distinction or discrimination," said the Organizing Committee of the Cabalgata de los Reyes de Igualada.

The volunteers are "the reflection of an open [and] inclusive city," they added.

The organizers said that "we are always respectful of criticism", adding that "criticism is analyzed and goes through an internal process of discussions".

Ancient representation of the Magi.

The organizers said they had tried solutions "that continue to include the historical side of the celebration, the volunteers and the citizens of the city."

However, they did not specify what these solutions consisted of or how they intended to respond to the criticism that the parade faced.

"This year 2023, and as it has been done since 1899, the Igualada parade will be majestic, and most importantly, magical," the organizers added.

• Were there three or 12 Magi?

  Their origin and unanswered questions about them

Jordi Martínez, deputy mayor of Alcoy, defended the tradition.

“For those who dress up, it is an honor, not something degrading,” he told the newspaper La Vanguardia.

He admitted that "steps will have to be taken over time" to reflect the concerns of those opposed to the practice, but ultimately, "the success of the parade is that we make it as traditional as possible."

CNN's Jack Guy contributed reporting.

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