Season 4, Episode 4 – El Día de la Bestia (Spain)

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It is October, our second favorite time of year, where we like to skip the colorful lights and joyful noise for a few episodes and veer off down a much darker and deserted alleyway. The Festive Fans feel like Jack Skellington during this time. We have our feet firmly planted in the world of Christmas, surrounded by the traditions, music, and films we love.  However, we are still intrigued enough to visit with the monsters and the scary things that exist around the world. We want to discover places where Krampus meets Kringle and where Christmas cheer comes mixed with holiday fear.  We don’t want the question for this month’s podcast to be the same “What’s under the tree?”, it should now be “What’s hiding behind it?”

We are off to Spain, a country known for its unique Christmas traditions, Three Kings, and a beautiful display of the Nativity on the Sagrada Familia basilica.  But we are more appropriately interested in this show to their strong connection to the devil. Spain has a surprisingly deep well of satanic experiences.  We discover this starting in tonight’s movie “El Día de la Bestia”.  The story revolves around a priest who believes the Antichrist will be born in Madrid on Christmas Day. He decides that the only way to save Christmas is to find Satan first.

Next, during trivia, we discuss the Festival at El Colacho in Castrillo de Murcia, where a man portraying the Devil runs through the streets shouting insults and hitting residents with a horsetail.  Also, Catalonia has a centuries-old tradition called “Ball de Diables”, or “The Dance of the Devils”.  It grew the religious struggle between good and evil, where costumed devils would run and dance through the streets amidst fireworks and flames. Also, across parts of Spain, especially Mallorca, on January 17, it is the Feast of Saint Anthony Abbot, where the festivities include the Devil’s Dance, with devils moving through the streets playing drums, along with fire and traditional celebrations. Finally, there is the Catalan correfoc, where, again, the streets are filled with fire, sparks, drums, devils and fantastic beasts. This tradition also has its roots in medieval street performances depicting the devil and his minions.

So, in Spain, the Devil isn’t necessarily hiding in the shadows. Sometimes he’s dancing through the streets, hurling curses, and surrounded by fire. It really is the epic place for us to visit this month, because sometimes Christmas needs a little darkness. And sometimes Halloween needs a little light. So tonight, we’re going to find out what happens when Christmas opens the door… and the Devil walks in.

¡Feliz Creepmas! and may all your Christmases be just a little bit terrifying!

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