InfoAnda - 'Cheeky' Spanish tradition brings toilet humour at Christmas

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Amanda Knox appeals trial enters final stretch | | 21 September 2011
Bridgestone says to shed 800 workers in US | 23 January 2009
Despite late-race mistake, Johnny Sauter still atop Truck points | 14 June 2011

NATO suspends transfers to some Afghan prisons | | 7 September 2011

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : 'Cheeky' Spanish tradition brings toilet humour at Christmas

Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Asia Pacific World Search Search: 'Cheeky' Spanish tradition brings toilet humour at Christmas AFP - 2 hours 13 minutes ago BARCELONA, Spain (AFP) - - Winning the US presidency has also made Barack Obama the star of a centuries-old Christmas tradition in the Catalonia region of northeastern Spain -- but it's a dubious honour he might prefer not to have. The US president-elect is the top seller among this year's "caganers", ceramic figurines which show affectionate disrespect for famous personalities from home and abroad. They have been sold in Catalonia around Christmas since the 18th century, when they were placed in nativity scenes in the hope of bringing good luck and a rich harvest. But the statuettes show the personalities with their trousers down in the act of defecating. "The caganer is a very loved and respected figure on the typical Catalan nativity scene," caganer maker Ana Maria Pla says on her website. "It is not a joke, but quite the opposite, it is a tribute to the person, trade, or activity it represents." Pla and her family make the hand-painted caganers at their factory near Barcelona, which this year has produced around 30,000 of the figurines which sell for between 12 and 14 euros (15 to 18 dollars) each. "This year, the best seller is Obama. Not so much because he's new but because most of our customers are on the Internet and are in North America," Pla's daughter-in-law Barbara told AFP. "We also get a lot of orders from Latin America." Obama this year beat France's first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, Argentine President Cristina Kirchner and Bolivian President Evo Morales. Last year, French President Nicolas Sarkozy was popular, "but this year it's his wife, Carla Bruni, for which we have a lot of orders from France," said Barbara. In previous years, US President George W. Bush, cast with a globe of the world under his arm, has also been a big seller. Among this year's newcomers are Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his Italian and British counterparts Silvio Berlusconi and Gordon Brown, and Barcelona football club's rising young star Bojan Krkic. Among Spanish personalities the best seller is Defence Minister Carme Chacon, who this year became the country's first woman in the post. Crown Prince Felipe and his wife Letizia were the top sellers in the year of their wedding in 2004. The original caganer, which literally translated from Catalan means "the fertilizer", was a man wearing a red and black hat and peasant costume shown performing his biological functions. It was believed that his fertile deposits in the soil of the nativity scene would bring a rich harvest. But over time, the peasant has been replaced with well-known society figures and personalities from the region, Spain and around the world, in a reminder that all people are equal when it comes to biological functions -- even US presidents. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article Average (0 votes) Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: Entertainment & Lifestyle Del Toro attends screening of 'Che' in HavanaAP - 2 hours 39 minutes ago Italian Mafia drama wins European Film AwardAFP - Sunday, December 7 Spy writer Le Carre honored by Swiss universityAFP - Sunday, December 7 Bollywood's Shah Rukh Khan knighted in MalaysiaAP - Sunday, December 7 Witness: 'Sopranos' actor knew friend had gunAP - Saturday, December 6 Enlarge Photo Ceramic figurines called 'caganers' of US President-elect Barack Obama are seen at the Santa Llucia Fair, on December 2, in Barcelona. Statuettes of well-known people defecating are a strong Christmas tradition in Catalonia, dating back to the 18th century. Most Popular – Entertainment Viewed Diamond thieves pull off 100-million-dollar Paris heist Girl, 8, among 17 dead in Manila shoot-out: police Vinnie Jones gets into bar fight over role in X-Men Oil price falls below $40 Formula One: Honda exit casts cloud over F1 future View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular

Other News on Sunday, 7 December 2008
Maradona touched by fans' response in India
Freemasons in Singapore celebrate 150 years of existence in region
Thai opposition says it can form govt
Beckham's Galaxy too powerful for Oceania All Stars
Record number of students expected to collect free used textbooks
War epic shines in Chinese-language 'Oscars'
Sustainability is key in deciding financial aid
'Warlords' wins best film at Chinese Oscars
France's Sarkozy meets Dalai Lama as China fumes
Thai opposition says it can form next government
Brit actor Vinnie Jones arrested in SD bar fight
Police: Man arrested in Mumbai probe is cop
Indian police arrest 2 men in Mumbai investigation
NKorea warns it will ignore Japan at nuclear talks
Bush: war in Iraq on its way to being won
US senators says Pakistan will act
Victorious teen bowler returns to Singapore to warm welcome
Children 'executed' in 1950 South Korean killings
India attacker rose from crook to militant
Amsterdam wants to halve prostitution windows, coffee shops
Test for Vietnam government: free-speech bloggers
South Africa capture second Sevens victory
Nobel literature laureate urges respect for overlooked cultures
Spy writer Le Carre honored by Swiss university
France's Sarkozy meets Dalai Lama as China fumes
Hundreds protest Vatican's opposition to pro-gay UN text
Pakistan central bank says growth to slow
China ups financial support to small firms
Indian police arrest 2 men in Mumbai investigation
Israel eases traffic restriction in West Bank city
Taliban and civilians hit by bombardment
Former leftist guerrilla to travel to France with Betancourt
Obama invites Americans to take a "Seat at the Table"
India police arrest two in Mumbai attacks probe | International |
Police: bombs and shootings kill 6 in Iraq
Sarkozy cites limited progress with eastern EU climate refuseniks
RugbyU: Harlequins stun Stade in Paris stronghold
France, Poland hold talks on European climate deal
Democrats near deal on cash influx for automakers
Spain marks 30 years of post-Franco constitution
Rioting across Greece after police shoot boy dead | International |
Russian Orthodox Church names interim head
Two killed in south Afghanistan fighting | International |
Palestinian leader Abbas attacks Hamas over haj | International |
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,209
Iran shells remote area of northern Iraq: mayor | International |
First Russian warship uses Panama Canal since 1944
Sarkozy defies China with Dalai Lama talks | International |
Emotional Ledger family accept Australian film award
Canadian opposition leader faces pressure to quit | International |
AP Interview: OPEC head predicts output cuts
Heath Ledger gets posthumous film award | Entertainment |
Italian mob drama Gomorra dominates European Film Awards | Entertainment |
Italian Mafia drama wins European Film Award
US senators say Pakistan will act
Children 'executed' in 1950 SKorean killings
'My Three Sons' actress Beverly Garland dies at 82
Mumbai attacks prompt elite to action -- for now
China blasts Sarkozy's Dalai Lama meeting as 'unwise'
Xinhua: Sarkozy's meeting with Dalai Lama 'unwise'
Hand-crafted Italian shoes kick financial crisis
'Cheeky' Spanish tradition brings toilet humour at Christmas
Del Toro attends screening of 'Che' in Havana
9 dead, 19 injured in Malaysian bus crash
Malaysia bans hillside developments after landslide: report
SKorean envoy 'not optimistic' over NKorea talks
Doubt over NKorea talks as envoys gather in Beijing
Solar panels to 'intelligent' barrels, winemakers on new course
Water buffalo rampage leaves 2 dead in Vietnam
Bangladesh gets its own Taj Mahal
US to deploy new forces south of Kabul to protect Afghan capital
Bangkok's red light district suffers from political chaos
Taiwan party chief visits Japan to mend fences
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
EU launches first navy mission, in pirate-infested seas
Voting starts in Ghana's presidential, legislative polls
Pakistani militants torch Humvees for western forces | International |
Merkel plays Scrooge as Germans demand shop vouchers
Iran tests new missile from warship: reports | International |
Democrats near deal on bailout loans for US automakers
Negroponte to travel to Israel
Taiwan party chief heads to Japan to ease tensions | International |
SKorea expresses pessimism over 6-party nuke talks
Walmart.com offers thousands of Wiis from Monday | Technology |
Solar panels to 'intelligent' barrels, winemakers on new course
India questions two over Mumbai attacks
Filipino boxing icon Pacquiao stands tall in TKO of De la Hoya
Five easy steps to plug online music leaks | Technology |
SKorea unveils fresh support for struggling farm sector
Indian FM denies call to Pakistani president
Former Thai ruling party meets as power struggle erupts
SKorea's Hynix to trim pay in recovery effort
Sri Lanka troops in 'kissing distance' of Tiger HQ: military
Chicago band uses digital savvy to promote album | Technology |
Afghan spokesman: 9 Taliban killed in gunbattle
America's latest 'must-have' -- an Obama trinket
Trucks torched at Pakistan terminal used for NATO
Australian navy catches suspected people smugglers
Pacquiao stops De la Hoya in key boxing match
Jonas Brothers get an upgrade in Mexico City | Entertainment |
Italy mob drama Gomorra rules Europe film awards | Entertainment |
Circus comes to town for Take That | Entertainment |
Five easy steps to plug online music leaks | Entertainment |
Clashes mar Indian Kashmir voting
Fehler 404
McCain warns against worsening of India-Pakistan ties
Australian authorities intercept suspected people smugglers
Loyalists of exiled former Thai PM Thaksin meet
Watchdog issues piracy warning for SE Malaysia
Search ends for Papua New Guinea landslide victims
Athletics: Kenya’s Luke Kibet wins Singapore Marathon in new record time
Promoters plan for more music festivals despite economic gloom
Thaksin loyalists desperate to stay in power
Thaksin loyalists look desperate to stay in power
Taiwanese students protest demonstration law
Taiwanese protest police 'abuse' during anti-China demos
Afghan official: 9 Taliban killed in gunbattle
SM Goh calls the late Mr Ho See Beng "an effective union leader"
Radio: Iran tests missile during naval maneuver
Twelve dead in Afghan violence: officials
India blasts Pakistan over hoax Mumbai call | International |
Thousands file past Russian Orthodox patriarch's coffin
Israel blocks bid by Arab MPs to break Gaza blockade
Pro-Thaksin party claims to have Thai majority | International |
India unveils $4four-bln economic stimulus package
Pakistan militants torch NATO supply trucks: police
Climate change: Sci-fi solutions no longer in the margins
Britain plots Zimbabwe invasion: Mugabe spokesman | International |
Thousands queue to bid farewell to Russian patriarch | International |
Ghana votes for new president to usher in oil era | International |
Families of 9/11 victims to watch Guantanamo trial
Israel halts boat planning to deliver aid to Gaza | International |
Taiwan party chief begins historic visit to Japan
Climate change: Sci-fi solutions no longer in the margins
Millions of Muslims ask forgiveness at haj climax | International |
India unveils $4 bln economic stimulus package
China in 'strong protest' to France over Dalai Lama meet
India announces $4 billion stimulus package
New Zealand house price fall steadies in November
Sudan confirms troop build-up in oil region | International |
India slams Pakistan over Mumbai hoax call reports
China to invest $22B on railways in north province
SKorea's Hynix announces new cost-saving steps
Media Park @ One North to begin Phase 1 development next year
More than 160 US, NATO vehicles burned in Pakistan
MediaCorp celebrities sell personal items for charity
Football: Singapore through to semi—finals of ASEAN Cup
Pirates fire on Dutch ship off Tanzania: watchdog
China lodges protest over Dalai Lama meeting
McCain: Afghanistan situation will get harder
Negotiators brace for 'tough' NKorea nuclear talks
Singapore suspends import, sale of pork products from Ireland
Sarkozy walks Chinese tightrope over Dalai Lama
Singapore—based medical student killed in bus crash in Malaysia
Indian minister denies call to Pakistani president
Clashes disrupt fourth phase of Kashmir elections
Jazz community holds concert for cancer—stricken musician
Discovery's Bear Grylls injured in Antarctica
More than 160 US, NATO vehicles burned in Pakistan
China lodges protest over Dalai Lama meeting
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01