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Three Kings Parade in Barcelona on 5th Jan

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ohcharlotte Joined: Nov 08 Points: 20 Posts: 3 Posted: 2008-12-19 09:00:00    I want to tell everyone about an event that should not be missed in Barcelona on 5th January. This is the evening before Twelfth Night Epiphany on 6th January, which is the day when the children get their big collection of presents. This special date is when the Three Wise Kings (Reyes Magos) arrive in the harbour in Barcelona on a boat, (The Santa Eulalia) to bring gifts for the children of Barcelona, amidst shouts, cheers and fireworks. After welcoming the kings, everyone has to go to bed, leaving something for the King's camels to eat by the window. On the morning of the 6th, good children will awake to find the presents the Kings have left for them, and bad children will find a lump of coal. The Three Kings procession, also known as “Cabalgata los Reyes Magos,” in Castilian and "Cavalcada de Reis" in Catalan, parade through the city, starting at 5 o'clock from Portal de la Pau and finishing at around 9 o'clock at Montjuïc. Each barrio in Barcelona decorates their own floats and joins the procession. The most important float carries the stars of the parade, the 3 Kings. And during the parade, sweets are tossed out to the crowds who gather to see The Three Kings. The timetable for this exciting night can be found on the Catalan government website here: http://www.bcn.cat/nadal/en/arribada.html Do not miss it! Charlotte, [edited by ohcharlotte at 2008-12-19 09:00] --- Oh Barcelona, Oh Holidays, All Berlin Apartments, All Paris Apartments, Reply    Reply with quote    Contact ohcharlotte   jorgesanchez Premium account Joined: May 05 Points: 41629 Posts: 77 Posted: 2008-12-19 15:16:00    This Cabalgata de Reyes is an old Spanish tradition and is celebrated in all the cities of Spain. While in most of the European countries celebrate Saint Klaus, we, in Spain, prefer to celebrate Los Reyes Magos (perhaps for being Spain a Monarchy). The Reyes Magos in Barcelona is indeed wonderful and if you happen to be in this city do not miss it. In Madrid, the Spanish capital, the Cabalgata passes along the elegant Castellana Boulevard, the Plaza de Colón (Columbus) and the Plaza de las Cibeles, with the participation of famous singers from several parts of Europe. In Zaragoza, the beautiful Aragon capital the Cabalgata will count with twenty fantastic carrozas (Carriages), each representing popular tales (Giant Gong, Genius of the Lamp, The Nile, etc.) and will march in their parade along the lovely Plaza del Pilar and through the historical Aljafería Palace (a Moorish Castle erected in the XI century). In Sevilla will be, probably, the most fantastic Cabalgata in Spain, with marvellous carrozas of Dalinian designs with the participation of famous movie actors (maybe Antonio Banderas!). In Bilbao, this New Year 2009, will take part 300 theatre and movie actors, as well as jugglers who will perform shows. And so on. Even the smallest Spanish town celebrates the Cabalgata, the happiest day for Spanish children. So, if you are in any city of Spain the first days of January, do not miss the Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos! Jorge --- Bonum est faciendum et prosequendum, et malum vitandum. Reply    Reply with quote    Contact jorgesanchez   krisek Premium account Joined: Jan 08 Points: 84174 Posts: 203 Posted: 2008-12-19 18:18:00    And I would love to see some of them, but on 5 January (my birthday by the way) I will be in Berlin (if all goes well, that is) visiting my first cousin there. What a shame!! --- Open your eyes. Free your mind. Touch lives. Sink into the different. Travel and belong. Profile photo: Palma de Mallorca. Reply    Reply with quote    Contact krisek   pesu Premium account Joined: Jul 08 Points: 15863 Posts: 52 Posted: 2008-12-20 15:32:00    Thanks to Charlotte and Jorge to tell us about this great Spanish tradition. Reply    Reply with quote    Contact pesu   ohcharlotte Joined: Nov 08 Points: 20 Posts: 3 Posted: 2008-12-30 10:54:00    --- quoting krisek --- And I would love to see some of them, but on 5 January (my birthday by the way) I will be in Berlin (if all goes well, that is) visiting my first cousin there. What a shame!! --- end quote --- Wow, I'm hoping to get to Berlin in 2009 too but thats money depending! I don't know if you've been before, but if not, and you're looking for interesting things to do with your cousin, try out the Unsicht-Bar at 14 Gormannstraße for me! It's a restaurant in complete darkness with light shows and illuminations, I really want to go to experience it, just hope I get there! Also, you can go for the "special menu" where you don't know what is going to appear on your plate! I'm very jealous! Bye for now OHCharlotte --- Oh Barcelona, Oh Holidays, All Berlin Apartments, All Paris Apartments, Reply    Reply with quote    Contact ohcharlotte