Every December 28, Spanish‑speaking communities celebrate a day of humor and complicity. Known as the Saints Innocents, this tradition traces back to a biblical massacre and ancient pagan celebrations. The blend of Herod’s story with the subversive elements of the Fool’s Festival creates a unique atmosphere.
The roots of the commemoration lie in the Catholic Church, memorializing the Massacre of the Innocents. In the Middle Ages it merged with the Fool’s Festival, where young clergy and citizens could parody religious rites. Such an "absolute permissive day" eased social tensions.
Modern practice, especially in Argentina and Spain, includes the custom of borrowing items and spreading fake news. Owners usually accept jokes until the following day, creating an atmosphere of laughter and bewilderment. The tradition persists through media and social networks, though without digital links.
The biblical narrative, according to the Gospel of Matthew, describes how Herod ordered the killing of all children under two years old in Bethlehem to eliminate the future "King of the Jews." This decree became the historical foundation of the tradition, symbolizing the duality of light and persecution surrounding Jesus’s birth.
"Que la inocencia te valga" is the phrase often heard during the celebration, reminding people of the tradition’s origins.
"The King Herod ordered the killing of the children to eliminate the future King of the Jews," is stated in the biblical texts.
