The Sevilla parade celebrated a historic day on Saturday, January 4th by advancing its departure date for the first time in its 107 years of existence due to the bad weather forecasted for Sunday. Despite the rain arriving earlier than expected, the citizens of Sevilla still celebrated the arrival of the Three Kings in grand style. The neighborhood of Los Remedios, specifically the streets of Asunción and Pepe Pinreles, were turned into a lively party to welcome the Kings with musical performances that had people singing and dancing along with groups like the Agrupación Musical Virgen de los Reyes. One memorable moment occurred in front of the Macarena Basilica when the Grand Vizier of the procession proposed to his girlfriend on the same float.
Another highlight of the day was when one of Baltasar’s pages fell from the float during the procession, losing his balance while throwing gifts to the attendees, causing a scare among the crowd. A widely shared image from the day was the National Police officers parading on horseback while the Spanish national anthem played, sparking conversation and controversy on social media. The largest police union, Jupol, responded with a message and a “Long live Spain.” However, the parade also generated controversy due to insults directed at Pedro Sánchez, the Prime Minister of Spain, by some attendees, demonstrating a lack of respect for traditions and political figures during the festivities.
This Sunday, January 5th, the majority of Spain will celebrate the Epiphany with various Three Kings parades across the country. For more information on schedules and routes of these parades, people can find details to plan their attendance and enjoyment of the festivities and traditions associated with this important day. Despite the unexpected weather changes and incidents during the Sevilla parade, the spirit of celebration and excitement continues in Spain as communities come together to commemorate the arrival of the Three Kings with joy and enthusiasm.
The advanced start date of the Sevilla parade on January 4th marked a historic moment in its long history, adapting to the weather conditions to ensure a successful celebration. The residents of Sevilla embraced the change and welcomed the Kings with open arms, turning the streets into a lively party with music, dancing, and fun for all ages. Despite a few mishaps during the procession, such as the fall of one of the pages, the overall atmosphere was joyful and festive, with memorable moments that will be remembered for years to come.
The diverse reactions and incidents that occurred during the Sevilla parade, including the proposal on a float, the police horseback display, and the political controversy, added depth and complexity to the festivities. These events highlighted the mix of tradition, modernity, and social issues that can intersect during cultural celebrations, sparking conversations and debates among the public. As Spain continues to celebrate the arrival of the Three Kings with parades and activities across the country, the spirit of unity and joy prevails, bringing communities together to share in the magic of this special holiday.
