Related videos:
Two little pigs were saved from being eaten at the Christmas dinner of a Cuban-American family in Miami-Dade thanks to being "pardoned" by Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, a Cuban version of the White House tradition of pardoning two turkeys on Thanksgiving.
Glinda and Elphaba, two four-month-old piglets named after the good and wicked witches from the musical "Wicked," will be able to live their entire lives—12 to 15 years—in an animal sanctuary south of Miami.
This is the seventh year that two little pigs from Miami have avoided being cooked for Christmas by Cuban families in South Florida, where roast pork is typically the main dish for the Christmas Eve dinner.
"I am excited to announce the stars of the 7th Annual Piggy Pardoning Ceremony by Latin Cafe! Upon receiving this clemency, these adorable piglets, Glinda and Elphaba, will forgo the Chinese box and instead dance for their lives in their new home, a local sanctuary," the mayor announced on her X account.
"Holidays are definitely my favorite time of year, and for many others as well. It’s a moment of gratitude. A time when we gather with our families and loved ones. And of course, there’s good food. So important, but it’s not a good time to be a pig in Miami," he joked, while displaying the proclamation granting Glinda and Elphaba lifetime amnesty.
The event took place in an improvised corral outside the Latin Café 2000, the promoter of this endearing initiative that pays tribute to the presence of Cuban culture in Miami.
Its owner, Eric Castellanos, recounted that it all started as a joke among his employees upon seeing a news story about the presidential pardon for Thanksgiving, "because we really don't eat turkey here in Miami. We eat pork."
"We looked at each other and said, 'Hey, someone should do this.' The rest is history," he told the Associated Press.
Castellanos' two children, Rico and Alessandra, chose the names for the little pigs.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Christmas Pig Pardons in Miami
What is the Christmas pig pardon in Miami?
The Christmas pardon of pigs in Miami is an annual tradition where Mayor Daniella Levine Cava spares two piglets, saving them from being cooked for the Christmas Eve dinner. This initiative is inspired by the presidential pardon of turkeys on Thanksgiving in the United States.
How did the tradition of pardoning pigs in Miami originate?
The tradition began as a joke among the employees of the Latin Café 2000 restaurant when they saw the presidential pardon of turkeys. They decided that someone should do something similar with pigs, given that pork is consumed more than turkey during Christmas in Miami.
What happens to the pardoned piglets in Miami?
The pardoned piglets, like Glinda and Elphaba, are taken to an animal sanctuary south of Miami, where they have the chance to live the rest of their lives, which can last between 12 to 15 years.
What is the cultural impact of this tradition in Miami?
The pig's pardon celebrates the presence of Cuban culturein Miami, blending local traditions with a humorous and festive touch, reflecting the cultural diversity of the city and the influence of the Cuban community on local celebrations.
Archived in: