The group of ten were protesting government cuts to social programs in Spain's Catalonia region.
Their peculiar protest was a homage to Catalonia's regional Christmas decorations - the Caganers - which feature figurines squatting while doing their business.
YouTube link.
One Iaioflauta activist said, "Iaioflautas came here to do our crap against this government that is impoverishing us". The word 'iaioflauta' is a blend of the Catalan term 'iaio', meaning gramps, and 'perroflauta' or hippy. The group are very active across Spain.
4 comments:
Mooning is bending over, not squatting. They just look like they're taking dumps.
Did you read the words?
The Caganer bringing some human realism into an artificial and glorified picture of harmony. I find it a serious picture showing discontent over current economical conditions for millions of people. Still somewhat amusing because it reminded me about walking the Camino some years back. Even though the spiritual process was at the core, none of us could avoid taking into account our bodily needs. My husband and I often had to remind each other on the symbolic in the Caganer when one of us had to deviate from the path and leave the group for a necessary squat in the bushes. The small figure reminds all of us upon human vulnerability as a normal part of life, but this vulnerability should not be amplified through perverse economic structures.
I have heard that the caganer traditionally is a symbol of fertilizing and growth. But certainly exposing the ass in front of someone in current society is a strong sign of disgust. Perhaps it has not always been so. Some hundred years back the poop was a resource for farmers, and probably the act of pooping nothing to be ashamed of? As an eager hiker I have got used to the vulnerability described above. Out there in the wilderness I think that most of us do not care when spotting a single white bottom behind some bushes. Occasionally it just has to be done. Everybody knows. But when nine mature men and women show their white bums in front of a symbol of current economic structure, it cannot be perceived than anything else than a protest (which I, by the way, support!)
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