The Three Kings series of fiestas is a lot different to the festive celebrations at Christmas and New Year that we had been used to.
But first, let’s start with Santa Claus—everyone knows what Santa Claus represents. He is an important, plump, jolly figure dressed in a red suit and has a white beard. He, in many cultures of the West, takes gifts to the homes of the good children during the late evening and overnight hours of Christmas Eve.
Legend has it that Santa lives in the North Pole, and every Christmas, children all over the world who believe, write copious letters to ask for the gifts from Santa. With a list of children throughout the world, he categorizes them according to their behavior and based on that he delivers presents, including toys, candy, etc. via a reindeer-drawn sleigh that defies gravity and air-traffic control radar ...
In the Spanish tradition, the Reyes Magos, also referred to as the (Three) Wise Men, (Three) Kings, or Kings from the East, are a group of distinguished foreigners who are said to have visited Jesus just after his birth, travelling great distances on camels and bearing gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense. They are regular figures in traditional celebrations of Christmas and nativity scenes.
The Spanish do exchange some gifts on the 25th of December, but generally they wait for the festival of the Three Kings to exchange the bulk of presents. So, the kids have two opportunities for receiving presents—wahaaay, go for it.
January 4th: Arrival of the Messengers (of the Three Kings).
The first day of the Three Kings celebrations, the fourth of January, is sort of the preamble, a prelude of proceedings for main event the following day. Parking at the marina in Alicante, and with a few minutes to spare, we were at the start of the procession.
It was a little parade of the Royal Messengers of the Three Kings; trumpets sounding, messengers on horseback, bands playing, minstrels, and the twelve-foot high mannequins tottering along, each powered by a single person, all valiantly struggling to do some sort of dance routine … and lastly, the “correos”—postmen on matching yellow mopeds: possibly a modern take on the theme, bringing the message of the arrival of the Three Kings. Such a cute tradition.
On leaving and walking back to the car, we happened by a square with a huge fountains, and some sort of a dais setup at the end of the cordoned-off road.
It was a temporary stage, used to house the Three Kings and their ornate dais-seats. There were lots of tiny-tots, waiting in line, to receives their gifts from one of Caspar, Melchior, Balthazar, the Three Kings, who were seated on the stage; one red-bearded, white-bearded, and a black King. There was a marquee to wrap up the presents first—where the parents of the children take advantage of, before adjourning to the stage—a sweet thought.
January 5th: Arrival of the Three Kings
The next day, we were slightly early, as we were walking to the start of the cavalcade, we noticed a large aquarium in a square, in downtown Alicante. As we neared it, it was a nativity scene floating in an amphora, in the aquarium? Unusual, yet a novel idea. Not colorful sprats, but monsters; bream, groupers ... huge fish! And, many children were instantly drawn to it. No time for much gazing around, the parade marching bands were sounding much closer; time for a move-on to a good spot, amongst thousands of spectators.
We searched for a spot, and quickly continued up the street following other visitors who were late. Because of our tardiness, we were about five or sixth person-depth from the edge of the street. The first three rows had seats, then standing room behind them. We managed to find a vacant slot and had a good view of the proceedings, which was fortunate as the color and spectacle of the whole parade was quite amazing.
