SPAIN: The Three Kings, Melchoir, Caspar and Balthasar, take part in an extraordinary parade that sparks excitement in the streets of Madrid, as the Spanish capital celebrates the eve of the day of the Epiphany

Record ID: 739659

  • Title: SPAIN: The Three Kings, Melchoir, Caspar and Balthasar, take part in an extraordinary parade that sparks excitement in the streets of Madrid, as the Spanish capital celebrates the eve of the day of the Epiphany
  • Date: 6th January 2012
  • Summary: MAN IN MARCHING BAND PLAYING BAGPIPE CLOWN SAYING 'TIME TO BEHAVE!' PERFORMERS WAVING AND BLOWING KISSES AT CROWD VARIOUS OF ACROBATS AND JUGGLERS IN PARADE
  • Embargoed: 21st January 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain, Spain
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: Arts,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVACJD4OV4YENBPM5YDCGWWMC1NE
  • Story Text: Euphoria enveloped the streets of Madrid as thousands of children and adults lined one the main throughways of the Spanish capital to watch the traditional Three Kings - or Three Wise Men - parade on Thursday (January 5, 2012).
    The parade is held every year on the eve of the Epiphany to celebrate the Christian holiday and the story of the Three Wise Men.
    The Gospel of Matthew says the Three Kings followed a bright star to offer gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the newborn Jesus.
    In Madrid though, the Three Kings - Melchoir, Caspar and Balthasar - just brought candies.... thousands of candies, which they, along with their helpers and other extraordinary and peculiar members of the parade, tossed into euphoric crowds of children and their equally excited parents.
    "The Three Kings come here and give out candies, they have the letters (with the gift list) with them," said Laura, 10.
    David, a father of two, said bringing his daughters to the parade was their reward for doing well in school.
    "It's their (daughters) Three Kings day present because they got good marks, they got good marks so we promised we would bring them to the parade, we're here for the girls," he said.
    The Three Kings parade ushers in one of Spain's most important holidays- Three Kings Day (January 6) which for many is more important than even Christmas.
    Much like with Santa Claus, Spanish children write letters to the Three Wise Men asking them for gifts which are left on the night of Epiphany.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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