A man who did not master the language and who, as it has spread through social networks, is not of his people, interpreted King Baltasar last Saturday at the Andoain horseback. Already on the balcony of the City Hall, about to finish the act, he hooked up with the phrase, folded and jumped the script. "The kings are his parents," he replied, and it spread like gunpowder and a controversy was ignited on the net.

The Andoain City Council has published a note condemning the prejudices, comments and comments that occurred following the event. “We are very saddened and very concerned about the place that racist and xenophobic prejudices have had that have prevailed in social media and in some media when dealing with the issue,” they said. They have added that they want to go on like this because Andoain is a plural people. In addition, they have shown their solidarity and support for the person who took responsibility for the role played by Baltasar and his relatives.

Read the full statement here:

ON THE CONTROVERSY OF THE HORSEBACK RIDING OF KINGS OF ANDOAIN

The Andoain City Council wishes to express its regret at the scale and tone of the criticisms and the direction it has taken on the subject. A contusion for not mastering a language has had an echo that we did not think of. We have felt great sadness and we are very concerned about the place that racist and xenophobic prejudices have taken in social media and in the media when it comes to dealing with the issue. Andoain is a plural people, lives in diversity and wants to live like this. We show our solidarity and support for the person who took responsibility for the role of Baltasar and his family.

On the other hand, we would like to thank La Salle Berrozpe College for bringing the magic of kings to our streets every year. The one that comes forward as a result of the work done by hundreds of volunteers. Let us hope to continue working with the same illusion and strength from now on.

Andoain, 7 January 2019