SPAIN: The Three Kings - Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar - parade through the streets of Madrid laden with sweets and presents for children on the eve of the day of the Epiphany

Record ID: 450706

  • Title: SPAIN: The Three Kings - Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar - parade through the streets of Madrid laden with sweets and presents for children on the eve of the day of the Epiphany
  • Date: 5th January 2014
  • Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (JANUARY 5, 2014) (REUTERS) CHILDREN AN ADULTS BEHIND BARRIER WATCHING PARADE AS PARADE PASSES CHILDREN AND ADULTS CATCHING SWEETS THROWN FROM FLOATS VARIOUS OF FLOATS ALADDIN FLOAT ELEPHANT FLOAT FLYING OWL ACROBAT FLYING OVER PARADE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ROBERTO, 9, SAYING: "It was perfect, I loved it!" VARIOUS OF FLOAT CARRYING MELCHIOR PAIGES GIVING SWEET
  • Embargoed: 20th January 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: Quirky,People,Religion,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA7IPJGI808NWCOJU6IHIHZ02YU
  • Story Text: Imaginative floats, sweets, acrobats and animals, those were the elements of the Three King's parade in central Madrid on Sunday (January 5) where children and adults alike celebrated the eve of the Epiphany trying to collect as many sweets as possible.
    The Epiphany, so the story goes, marks the day when the three wise men arrived in Bethlehem presenting Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, on January 6, 12 days after Christmas.
    There was no gold, frankincense or myrrh on Sunday evening, but there were plenty of sweets thrown from the floats onto the crowds sending children into a frenzy of excitement.
    "It was perfect, I loved it!" nine year -old Roberto said of the parade.
    The Three King's parade is held in Madrid every year on January 5th, on the eve of the Epiphany, and the chance to see Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar in a theatrical show of lights, costumes and fantasy, brings thousands of families onto the streets of the Spanish capital.
    Everyone has their favourites. Ainhoa had her top three: "The geese, the camels and the fire eaters," she said.
    For the children who still believe in the legend, it is the three wise men that will provide them with presents.
    "I will open my presents in the morning and then have lunch with my family," eight year old Pablo said.
    In Spain, Three King's Day (January 6) is considered by most people to be more important than Christmas and many Spanish children wait until January 6 to open their presents.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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