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La Voz de Andalucía

From Putin to Columbus: El Burgo Burns Effigies of Controversial Figures in its 'Quema de Judas'

The tradition in El Burgo, Sierra de las Nieves, has historically included international leaders, national politicians, and social issues in its effigies.

Image of an effigy burning during the Quema de Judas in El Burgo, Málaga.
IA

Image of an effigy burning during the Quema de Judas in El Burgo, Málaga.

The town of El Burgo, located in Málaga's Sierra de las Nieves, maintains its unique 'Quema de Judas' tradition, where effigies of controversial figures such as Vladimir Putin, Nicolás Maduro, Elon Musk, and Christopher Columbus have been set ablaze over the years.

This custom, dating back to the mid-20th century, involves burning dolls representing contentious personalities, ranging from political leaders and criminals to allegories of social problems. The recent burning of an effigy resembling Benjamin Netanyahu on Easter Sunday sparked international controversy, leading Israel to summon the Spanish chargé d'affaires.
Among the international leaders depicted in this festivity are Mohamed VI, Fidel Castro, Hugo Chávez, Donald Trump, George W. Bush, Gaddafi, Saddam Hussein, and Pinochet. An effigy of Bin Laden, founder of Al Qaeda and mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks, was also burned.
The tradition is not limited to international figures, also encompassing national political personalities such as Luis Roldán, former director-general of the Guardia Civil convicted of embezzlement, and Luis Bárcenas, former treasurer of the PP convicted in the Gürtel case. Other 'Judas' have symbolized ETA terrorism, Ana Julia Quezada (convicted for the murder of Gabriel Cruz), or a money launderer in reference to the 'Operación Ballena Blanca'.
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"Two years ago, we had the case of a priest in El Burgo and Yunquera who was accused by several women of drugging and abusing them, and we burned male chauvinist violence in the figure of the priest. When it was seen, everyone knew it was him."

María Dolores Narváez · Mayor of El Burgo (PSOE)
The mayor of El Burgo, María Dolores Narváez (PSOE), highlighted the diversity of representations, including a member of 'La Manada', former banker Mario Conde, European Commissioner for Agriculture Franz Fischler, pedophilia, cannabis consumption, and emigration. Even allegories of issues like the coronavirus, the oil crisis, or the high cost of living have been burned.
According to Fernando Ramos, a local historian, the tradition of burning an effigy dates back to the early 20th century, and in 1946, gunpowder was introduced into the effigies. Residents, such as Rafael (over 80 years old) and Manuel (nearly 60 years old), actively participate in the creation and supervision of the 'Judas', ensuring the continuity of this deeply rooted custom.

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