Now that Christmas and New Year are out of the way most Brits are getting back to normal - but not the Spanish!They still have one more fiesta - the Three Kings or as they say "Los Reyes Magos" which falls on 6th January, this coming Monday and an official Bank Holiday here in Spain.
It is one of the most exciting and anticipated days for children and celebrates the Three Wise Men - Melchor, Gaspar and Baltazar following the star to Bethlehem and bringing their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the Baby Jesus.
Melchor was the Sultan of Arabia and the oldest of the three. He had a long white beard and wore elegant crimson robes and his gift was gold.Baltazar was a Nubian King and ruler of Ethiopia. His gift was myrrh - a precious and aromatic resin that comes from the bark of thorny African trees. It is one of the ingredients used in the Holy ointment and often used in medicine and as a perfume.
Gaspar was Emperor of the Orient and his gift was frankincense, an aromatic gum used in the sacred incense in places of worship. Unfortunately, due to political correctness many children, particularly in the UK know nothing of the history of Christianity, instead being taught about other religions and deemed racist if they refuse to attend! |
| Last years crowds |
One of the highlights for the spectators is the sweets which are thrown from the floats as they pass.... and from personal experience I can tell you that the Spanish pensioners are far more "enthusiastic" in the scramble for them! However, due to a tragic accident in Malaga last year only the Three Kings will be allowed to throw them out this year and each of the floats will be accompanied to ensure that no-one gets too close. However, having said that they will still be throwing out a hefty 2,000 kilos and a souk float full of sweets will travel along with the parade with people handing out bags of sweets to the children.The parade will go up the Avd de los Almendros then back down the Avd Ruzafa before finishing up at the Town Hall square, where the Kings will leave their gifts for the baby Jesus at the nativity scene. There will then be a spectacular firework display let off to music to round off the night.
Once the festivities are over children are rushing to get home and for once to get to bed! Tradition is that they leave a shoe outside filled with straw before they go to bed and in the morning the Three Kings would have been and left a gift there. However, those that have been naughty would be left "carbon" - coal..... but these days rather than real coal they are left a bag of sweets which look like coal! This may explain why toyshops in Spain will be packed out this weekend and come Tuesday, the shelves will be virtually empty.
Monday 6th is a considered a family day and many will sit down together at breakfast and eat a "roscon" - you may have seen them in many of the supermarkets and bakeries. It is a large donut shaped sweet pastry, with candied fruits decorating it and hidden inside will be a small porcelain figure. Similar to a Christmas pudding, whoever finds the hidden surprise in their portion will have luck for the entire year.
The other highlight which takes place on this day is the second Christmas lottery, called the El Niño - meaning the child. It works in exactly the same way as the El Gordo which took place on 22nd December. If you want tickets you will have to make sure you get them today as the lottery shops will be closed tomorrow.
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