Madrid´s Cabalgata Returns With Message of Hope For 2022
Madrid’s traditional Three Kings Day parade – or Cabalgata was once again celebrated in the streets of the Spanish capital last night, delighting children and spectators alike after its two year hiatus due to the pandemic restrictions.
This year some 7,000 people were allowed to line the streets to welcome the kings of the Orient and their royal procession of decorative floats, dispensing sweets to children and parents on the cold Madrid evening.
This year’s parade featured a giant mechanical elephant, live camels, and acrobats, as well as the traditional fireworks display at the end from the Palacio de Cibeles.
The parade which celebrates the Christian Feast of the Epiphany, honours the Three Kings ( Gaspar, Melchor and Baltasar) who followed the Bethlehem star to offer gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the new-born baby Jesus.
Last year Madrid held a televised ceremony welcoming the arrival of the Magi, but with no spectators.
An early Reyes present for the parents was the announcement that normal schooling will resume on Monday 10th January and that the EMT bus services would be free for all children of school age for Monday 10th and Tuesday 11th.
