1. L’ÉphiphaniE …et sa galette des rois

2. WHEN? Christian feast day celebrating the birth of the human messiah, Jesus Christ. Commemorates the visit of the three magis to the baby Jesus. Jesus. What? January 6th (not a bank holiday) So…celebrated first Sunday in January. Unless…January 1 st falls on first Sunday.

3. © Andrea MANTEGNA - The J. Paul Getty Museum - Malibu Extrait de l'oeuvre d'Andrea Mantegna "Adoration des Mages" - Vers 1497-1500 - Détrempe et or sur bois ; 54,6cm x 70,7cm

4. The Star? It’s not who you think…

5. La Galette Des Rois made of pâte feuilletée (puff pastry), frangipane (filling made from or flavored like almonds) in northern France, or brioche in southern France (sweet bun ). Bought at a boulangerie, rarely homemade. A fève (charm) in a shape of a figurine is hidden in the cake. Bought at a boulangerie

6. The King & Queen The galette des rois is separated into as many pieces as there are people + one. part du Bon Dieu/ Vierge/ Pauvre (reserved for first poor stranger who presents him/herself or for absent family member) The person who finds the fève in his piece is the “king” and must choose his queen. A paper crown comes with the store-bought galette and is worn by the king. Traditionally, the “king” must also buy the next galette. If children are present, the youngest goes under the table to designate who gets which part.

7. La fève Originally, an actual fève, a symbol of life, was hidden in the galette des rois. Now, ceramic figurines, ranging from traditional figures to the latest Disney characters and superheroes are the designators of the “king.”

8. Links to Les Saturnales and other pagan celebrations Gabriel Metsu, La Fête des Rois ou Le Roi boit, v. 1650-1655, (Alte Pinakothek, Munich) – La Fête des Rois aux Pays-Bas septentrionaux au XVII e siècle.

9. It’s all about light and the world turned topsy turvy… The Saturnalia is perhaps the most-well known example of the “annual period of license, when the customary restraints of law and morality are thrown aside.” (Sir James George Frazer (1854– 1941). The Golden Bough. 1922.) Present in almost all pagan civilizations, such celebrations where characterized by “whole population giv[ing] themselves up to extravagant mirth and jollity, when the darker passions [found] a vent which would never be allowed them in the more staid and sober course of ordinary life.” (Sir James George Frazer (1854– 1941). The Golden Bough. 1922.) The celebration The date : January 6 th The “fève”