Three Kings Day in Gandia

So far, the information about holiday celebrations in Spain on my Christmas entry has been accurate because everything that I was told about Christmas in Spain happened as expected. It is good to see some traditions remain the same throughout the centuries. This might be even more true for Spaniards for they love fun and fiestas.

The final and most spectacular of these festivities was the Three Kings' Day Parade. The January 6th is the Feast of Epiphany (the Adoration of the Magi or the Manifestation of God). According to bible on the night when the Christ was born, three Kings (aka wise men/magi), Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar, saw a bright star, followed it to Bethlehem and presented Christ with gold, frankincense (an aromatic resin, from which ointment made to anoint newborns in religious rituals) and myrrh (a resinous plant originates from Ethiopia and used for medicinal purposes).

The present buying heightens towards the evening of the January 5th when the Kings deliver the kids' presents.

One of the Kings, listening to the kids' wishes and handing out candies at La Vital. The candy business must be blooming during the holiday season - way, way too much candy every where.

A rollerskating show at the Passeig de les Germanies - I watch these kids practice at the poliesportiu everyday.

Temporary ice-ring at the Plaza del Prado (you can get the skates inside behind the ring) - imagine keeping this ice going at the temperatures in 60s degrees Fahrenheit!

Holiday Shopping Market set at the Plaza del Prado

Why not? During Christmas everyone makes money! Vale!

When Hugo asked if Yunus and Dilara wanted to participate in the Three Kings' Parade, I did not realize how big of a deal it was for the city. Couple of weeks prior to the parade, a city official came to talk with the kids to explain the procedures. The swim team took part in representing the shepherds. Even non-church going people seem to fully participate and take pride on this event. It may be the fun-loving Spanish blood again...

Apparently, a huge effort goes into its preparations and the result was spectacular.

Bahh, bahh... Yunus the sheep! After putting his costume on, he looked like a woolly sheep. Thought of candid camera prank also crossed his mind!

What a relief! The rest of the team looked just like them (Hugo in brown shirt). They provided the boys' costumes, but most girls already had their own for apparently they participate in this parade every year.

Here are couple of finer examples of shepherd costumes; the lady's costume on the right is a Reina dress for Las Fallas festivities on the March 19th.

Pre-parade preparation in a schoolyard


AND THE PARADE BEGINS

The Star of Bethlehem

The Nativity scene

Here is the swim team group following the Nativity cart. You may spot Yunus towards back in the middle and Dilara two girls in front him.

When you have this much candy, you need a huge cart like this!

Each King came with their entourage following him before and after. I was not sure why there were eastern Indians, astronomers and etc. apparently these scenes symbolized the origin of each King. Obviously, I did not have enough knowledge of biblical references to these Kings.

After each King his camel and his presents followed.

Melchior

Balthazar

I find this idea very smart - these people followed every procession that included an animal and picked the droppings; this way there was no mess left for the following group to step on.

Parade ended in front of the Ayuntamiento.

Still happy after all these candies!

Roscon de Reyes filling the shelves at Tano - this is what the Spaniards would eat on the January 6th morning and the person who finds the golden ring in it will be the king of the house for the whole day. We did not buy one because they were too big. I would be the only one who gulps it down and I had enough sweets to last me for the rest of the year!

On the January 6th, another big family meal around 3 pm ended the Christmas celebrations in Spanish style - big family meals are major part of holiday celebrations in Spain. I have learned a lot about Spanish traditions during this time. As a result, I am more knowledgeable about Spain today than I was three months ago - who would know, ey?