Barcelona |
Jan 10
2012
|
 |
Los Reyes Magos
This weekend the Reyes Magos, or 3 kings came to Barcelona for the annual parade through the city. According to the bible, these 3 kings travelled across many lands following a star to visit and pay homage to Jesus on the night of his birth. They brought Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh for the baby Jesus. According to tradition, the kings are called Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar and bring the presents on the night before the epiphany, 5th January. This year in Barcelona the kings parade started at the port of Barceloneta and finished at the mountain of Montjuic, travelling with 18 tonnes of sweets which were thrown from the floats to the children gathered. The whole route was full of people waiting to see the kings but those with apartments along the route in Barcelona had the best view!
Before the arrival of the kings, the children send letters to them explaining what they would like to receive from them. The kings can also be seen in shopping centers and other public places, where the children can tell them their wishes in public. The children leave out their shoes in their apartment on the night of the 5th, as well as food for the kings and water for their camels. If they have been well behaved, the kings will bring them presents, if not they will receive a lump of coal in place of their shoes!
In Spain, 6th January is the day after the kings bring the presents and celebrates the epiphany. The epiphany is a Catholic religious festival which celebrates the apparitions of God and the saints to prophets, doctors and witches over many years. This is the traditional day of Christmas in Spain, although many families also celebrate 25th December as Christmas day.
On the day of the kings, families spend time together and eat a typical meal. For many families this consists of Canneloni, followed by the Roscon de reyes. This is a donut shaped cake which has crystallized fruit on top and cream inside. It also contains small figures of Mary and Joseph and a small bean, the finder of which has to pay for the cake!
There are also traditional sweets and treats typical to Christmas in Spain such as ´Turron´, a soft or brittle bar with Almonds and ´Pulvorones´, small cakes made from flour, butter and sugar with different flavors.
