Marseille Faces Backlash Over Labeling Epiphany a 'Pagan Celebration'

The city's decision to describe the holiday as rooted in pagan traditions has drawn criticism from opposition leaders accusing the administration of erasing Christian heritage.

• The Marseille city government referred to Epiphany as a 'pagan, convivial celebration' in a message announcing galette des rois distribution in local schools, omitting its religious significance.
• Opposition leaders, particularly from the group Une Volonté pour Marseille, criticized the description as a 'woke rewriting' and an attempt to erase Judeo-Christian roots.
• The city defended its statement, arguing that the holiday's origins predate Christianity and are linked to Roman Saturnalia, a winter solstice festival celebrating equality and renewal.
• Epiphany, traditionally a Christian holiday commemorating the visit of the Magi to Jesus, later incorporated the galette des rois, a pastry with ties to ancient Roman customs.
• The controversy highlights ongoing cultural tensions over the interpretation and presentation of historical and religious traditions in modern France.

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