If there is a day in the year when dreams come true, we could say it is the 6th of January; a dream that comes alive year after year and in which the true stars are the youngsters. The festival of the Three Wise Men or three kings is a catholic tradition. It is held on the day of the Epiphany, which means that God took on a human presence on Earth. The symbolism of the Wise Men refers to visitors from foreign countries that the baby Jesus had at his birth, when they gave him gold, frankincense and myrrh. Nevertheless, it is interesting to know that the fact that they were called Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar, were monarchs and that there were three of them, is something that has been added over the centuries.
In Spain and part of South America the 6th is a bank holiday. In some places, in the evening of the 5th processions are held with Their Majesties as guests, arriving from faraway lands and riding camels, or on floats and even boats and helicopters. We can usually see them in a long parade, accompanied by music and fanfare, as well as being received by the local authorities. Acclaimed in towns and cities, every year they awaken the child we all have inside us.
In Menorca, the island where dreams also come true as we always say, they are also the stars. What is curious is that they do not reach all the districts in the same way. In Maó and Es Castell, for example, they are expected to arrive by sea and on the afternoon of the 5th, the reception committee waits at the port of Maó until they embark. The route begins on the esplanade beneath the Costa de Ses Voltes, going on a procession through the town centre until the town hall. In the district of Es Castell they also come by boat, embarking on the Moll d’en Pons, going on a brief tour, greet the children from the town hall balcony and start giving away presents.
In Ciutadella, Alaior, Es Mercadal, Ferreries and EsMigjorn, the parade of the Three Wise Men takes place on the 5th but they arrive and parade on horseback or in a carriage. Curiously, Sant Lluís and Es Castell they celebrate the arrival of the Three Wise Men on the 6th, giving out presents from house to houseT
