Tag: Reyes Magos

It is still Christmas in Madrid: Who are the Wise Men? While in most of Europe people and mainly the children are looking forward to Christmas on the 24th or 25th of December, in Spain and in Southamerica the children can't wait to see the “Three Wise Men” / "Three Holy Kings". Actually, in Spanish it sounds much more magic, as the “Reyes Magos” – if you translate the words one to one – mean “the Magic Kings”. Doesn't it sound much more promising then someone being wise? Who wants wisdom when we can have magic? In Madrid, as in the whole of Spain, the “Reyes Magos” are the Three Wise Men from the East (Balthazar, Melchior and Caspar) who followed a star and came bearing gifts for the Baby Jesus. This special day is celebrated on the 6th of January. A few weeks before this important date, the children will write a letter to the “Kings” to ask for their wishes, be it a toy, a bike, sweets or even a new job for the mother or the father if the child is very worried. Most children deliver the letters to the King in their city or during the fantastic Kings Parade on the 5th of January in the evening. On this important day, once the 3 Kings arrive by helicopter, train or with their camels….they will form part of an extraordinary parade accompanied by around 2.000 participants like dancers and other artists, splendidly decorated trucks and light shows. It is a really magic event for big and small. It is so important that it is transmitted live per TV. On the next morning, if the children have provided the camels of the Kings with water and biscuits the night before, they will run to the Christmas tree to