Spain: fiesta in honor of innocent infants or a fools' day?

It's amazing how sometimes the time changes the idea of holidays. On December 28 the whole Christian world celebrates the Bethlehem holy innocents Day. This holiday is based on the biblical story of killing of the infants by King Herod, who wanted to get rid of the newborn Christ. This holiday in Spain is considered to be children’s and children are given more attention and they are forgiven all the tricks. However in sunny Spain December 28 has exactly the same name (La Fiesta de los Santos Inocentes), it has entirely different meaning.

In Spain December 28 is the April Fools' Day, the same one that is celebrated worldwide on the first of April. On that day people are joking and deceive everyone - friends, colleagues, children and adults. On radio and television broadcast an outright nonsense, in cafes or restaurants in your coffee instead of sugar will add salt, and at work will simply say that you're fired. The exact cause of such reincarnation of Christian holiday is unknown, but according to one version it comes from a legend. When Mary tried to carry the infant Jesus though the guards, sent by King Herod, they asked her to show a bundle in her arms. Then Mary implored the Heavens for a miracle and having opened the package, the guards saw only a bunch of flowers. Thus through the cunning the Holy Virgin saved the Christ. Maybe that's why everyone, of whom people played a trick on December 28, in Spain are called inocente, which is translated from Spanish as innocent child, innocent.

In the province of Malaga in southern Spain, La Fiesta de los Santos Inocentes has acquired its specific form. On this day is held a bright musical festival and dance competition between different rural communities. The fact is that the Day of the Holy Bethlehem innocents coincides with another more ancient pagan holiday - Mayor de Verdiales (the feast of collection of green olives) and over time these two holidays merged into one and now the La Fiesta de los Santos Inocentes is one of the most bright and cheerful holidays in the province.