There have been alternative Sebastian fiestas over the years, and 2025 is no exception. But 'Santa Punxada' on January 19 has aroused more controversy than other alternatives. Organised by Podemos, it celebrates 'Sant SebastiàQ+'. Víctor Conejo who is in charge of organising the event, says: "Sebastian is the patron saint of the gay community and it seems incredible that the Revetla (the big party night) has never taken this into account."
A Sant Sebastià LGTBIQ+ fiesta isn't in itself controversial, albeit there are dissenting voices; it is the poster, designed by Lluisa Febrer, that has caused something of a storm.
Religious and artistic imagery depicts a naked Sebastian or a Sebastian with a loincloth. In Febrer's version he is covered only by a sobrassada. The poster has a female counterpart. Both are being lusted after by demons under the gaze of a DJ God and with a trans angel firing arrows.
Responding to initial criticism of the poster, Febrer said: "Nowadays everyone gets offended very quickly. In the 80s there were powerful images because the system had to be dismantled after so much repression. Now we find ourselves with an increase in censorship."
Vox have now added their criticisms. "A pathetic attempt to seek notoriety by a group (Podemos) who only have one councillor cannot be an excuse to offend the religious feelings of the majority of Palma residents."
In a post on X, Jorge Campos, the Vox deputy for the Balearics in Congress, described Febrer as the "satanic author". "This is the disgusting poster that Podemos use for the festivities of San Sebastián, the patron saint of Palma. These serious offences to religious feelings are what PSOE want to leave unpunished. Offending, insulting and mocking Christians is not freedom of expression, and should not go unpunished." The post was subsequently deleted.
Lourdes Roca of the Partido Popular, who is Palma's councillor for citizen participation, says: "It's all a matter of taste. Everyone can make up their own minds. They may like it or not. In the end it's a private issue and they have chosen it (the poster)."
12 comments
To be able to write a comment, you have to be registered and logged in
I don't know. In one way, it appears it could actually be an ANTI-LBGTBIQ expression. In any case, unnecessary and pure junk. We don't need this crap.
TawnyAlthough Spain is a country with a Catholic tradition, from a constitutional point of view it cannot be considered a Christian country. Article 16 of the Spanish Constitution of 1978 states that “no confession shall have state status”. It is therefore a non-denominational state. Not that I like the poster.
tranq tranquerSorry, but don’t agree. The community you mention have in my opinion overstepped the limits of common decency, a phrase which nowadays doesn’t seem to be at the forefront of most people’s minds. The headline news in the UK should wake you up to the fact that certain things should be stamped down quickly and decisively before they are allowed to flourish. Old fashioned maybe, but I’m certainly not going to apologize for that. You give the impression of never ever had any children, especially grandchildren, of your own or of a partner. Being a parent gives a different perspective to these sorts of things.
100% agree Tawny. These hyper sensitive LGBLT alphabet people can give it but not take it. Every one of them I know is over sexualised, to the point that it is embarrassing to be with them. This poster just confirms that.
Since when did Sant Sebastia become the patron saint of the gay community and the rest of the piggybacking alphabet crew?!? People make it up as they go! Hilarious! Deliberately mocking and insulting Christians is not OK in a Christian country. Especially coming from a group of people who often whinge about not being respected themselves! People just need to grow up and have a little more respect for each other. Go enjoy the party without feeling the need to blatantly advertise your sexual leanings!
JackyI think you may be missing the point. This poster is meant to promote the LBGTBIQ+ ( took me two go's to get it right) Sant Sebastià Fiesta which is not to my knowledge aimed at children . If you are worried that children might see the poster fixed to shop windows or trees and be confused, upset, coerced into having thoughts beyond their age and comprehension, then that is another matter entirely.Sant Sebastià You may find the artwork " confusing" but I submit young people have shown an ability time after time to far ahead of where adults expect them to be. Especially now as they have lived their entire existence in the digital age whilst most adults are still struggling to make the necessary adjustments. Happy 2025.
What is important for myself here is what is the objective of this poster ? if it is meant to provoke an angry response from other politician´s that has been successful , I'm not a very strict Church person however I do believe we have a responsibility to protect the young people from confusing imagery such as have been depicted in this Artwork and there are many many young people around during these festivities and large quantities of Alcohol being consumed , Trust every one has Fun and think about the young people they will see and do enough later without help of this kind .
By the way Zoltan, it may be worth remembering that not so long ago, the leaders of the ultra leftwing party Podemos, eg Pablo Iglesias and Irene Montero, sued the author of a poem for €70.000 as they considered It to be sexist as far as their relationship was concerned. Look it up. The above mentioned snowflakes lost the case.
Zoltan TeglasSays the man who wouldn’t dare burn a Quran in front of a Mosque or draw what he thought looked like the Prophet Muhammad and post it on his Facebook page. Go on, prove me wrong, Zoltan. I’m waiting.
Organ WelshmanThe pathetic ones are the right wing snowflakes like vox - 'oh no, you can't make jokes about god or our religion - you should be fined/locked up/flogged'