The Three Kings Visit Ibiza

tons of sweets to the thousands of people

Towns and villages all over Ibiza had three royal visitors last night. Kings Gaspar, Melchor and Baltasar arrived in splendid royal processions to present their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus in a re-enactment of events some 2000 years ago.

With a more modern day theme, they also threw out tons and tons of sweets to the thousands of people who lined the routes and later presented the children of the towns with their gifts donated by adoring families.

It really is great fun for everyone and the processions of the Kings have become more and more spectacular over the years. In San Antonio and Santa Eulalia the Kings arrive by boat with accompanying fireworks and in Ibiza town there are very often live animals – camels, donkeys and the like – in an enormous parade featuring the kings' entourages down to the head chef and bottle washer!

On a cultural note, over the last few years Christmas celebrations have grown at the expense of the Three Kings purely and simply because working parents find it easier to keep the kids occupied in the school holidays by giving them their presents at the beginning, rather than the end, of the two week break.Our photos are from the low key San Jose celebrations but are much the same as in the rest of Ibiza and Spain.

Published 6 January 2009 Stephen White.

Share

Print version