There's a small city in Spain called Alcoy where they have the most antique parade of the Three Wise Men in the country. It is 120 years old and it is probably the oldest one known in the world as well. For those who live in Alcoy it is impossible to not believe in the Three Wise Men. On the 4th of January, the Emisary arrives in the city to read the message from the Wise and to collect the children's letters for them. The day after, the 5th of January, they arrive riding their camels, with the presents for baby Jesus (represented by a real baby) and followed by lots, hundreds of pages who give presents to kids and adults by delivering them personally. They use ladders to get up to the balconies and deliver the gifts. These called 'The Blacks' are the messengers of dreams and illusions.
"Els Negres" (The Blacks) are a very important element of the Three Wise Men parade. They are in charge of delivering the presents house by house accessing by long ladders they take along the itinerary. With 119 years of history, it is the most ancient one in Spain. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
SEL0047252 © Lourdes Segade
"Els Negres" (The Blacks) are a very important element of the Three Wise Men parade. They are in charge of delivering the presents house by house accessing by long ladders they take along the itinerary. With 119 years of history, it is the most ancient one in Spain. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
SEL0047254 © Lourdes Segade
"Els Negres" (The Blacks) are a very important element of the Three Wise Men parade. They are in charge of delivering the presents house by house accessing by long ladders they take along the itinerary. With 119 years of history, it is the most ancient one in Spain. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
SEL0047251 © Lourdes Segade
Beatriz takes a present a page has brought her. The Blacks are a very important element of the Three Wise Men parade. They deliver the presents house by house accessing by long ladders they take along. With 119 years of history, it is the most ancient one in Spain. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
SEL0047260 © Lourdes Segade
Two little girls expectantly wait for the donkeys to arrive as they want to put their letters for the Three Wise Men in the boxes carried by the animals so they will get their presents the day after. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
SEL0047270 © Lourdes Segade
Kids and parents want to put their letters for the Three Wise Men in the boxes carried by the donkeys so they will get their presents the day after Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
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Sara, hold by her grandfather, looks through the window how the shepherds dance in the street. It is her first Christmas. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
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Big trucks at the end of the parade show the kids that the Three Wise Men have come carrying lots of presents for everybody. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
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The emisary of the Three Wise Men goes to Alcoy every year on the 4th of January in order to read the royal message to the inhabitants of the city. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
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A group of shepherds as they dance. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
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A group of shepherds as they sing carols and dance. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
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A group of shepherds as they sing carols and dance. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
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The Tirisiti Nativity scene is a puppets theater that has been represented in Alcoy for more than 150 years. Tirisiti (in the image) is the main character and, as all the other puppets, it is moved by humans. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
SEL0047277 © Lourdes Segade
Many balconies are adorned with puppets pretending page boys, the ones who –the night of the 5th of January– climb long ladders bringing the presents from the Three Wise Men. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
SEL0047273 © Lourdes Segade
"Els Negres" (The Blacks) are a very important element of the Three Wise Men parade. They are in charge of delivering the presents house by house accessing by long ladders they take along the itinerary. With 119 years of history, it is the most ancient one in Spain. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
SEL0047249 © Lourdes Segade
"Els Negres" (The Blacks) are a very important element of the Three Wise Men parade. They are in charge of delivering the presents house by house accessing by long ladders they take along the itinerary. With 119 years of history, it is the most ancient one in Spain. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
SEL0047250 © Lourdes Segade
People waiting for the Three Wise Men parade to pass by. With 119 years of history, it is the most ancient one in Spain. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
SEL0047268 © Lourdes Segade
Melchior, Caspar and Balthasar as they approach to where baby Jesus lays down –represented by a real baby– in order to offer him their presents. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
SEL0047265 © Lourdes Segade
Mariah, Joseph and baby Jesus at the crib right after having got the presents from the three wise men. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
SEL0047246 © Lourdes Segade
Melchior as he arrives at the most important part of the itinerary: Spain Square. The Three Wise Men get off the camels and give the presents they bring to baby Jesus (represented by a real baby). Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
SEL0047255 © Lourdes Segade
Balthasar tries to kiss and touch a little boy offered to him by his father. All parents want their children to be kissed by one of the Three Wise Men, and they patiently kiss every kid. The camels don't like it so much. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
SEL0047264 © Lourdes Segade
Balthasar as he kisses a little boy offered to him by his father. All parents want their children to be kissed by one of the Three Wise Men, and they patiently kiss every kid. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
SEL0047263 © Lourdes Segade
Caspar as he arrives at the most important part of the itinerary: Spain Square. The Three Wise Men get off the camels and give the presents they bring to baby Jesus (represented by a real baby). Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
SEL0047257 © Lourdes Segade
"Els Negres" (The Blacks) are a very important element of the Three Wise Men parade. They are in charge of delivering the presents house by house accessing by long ladders they take along the itinerary. With 119 years of history, the parade is the most ancient one in Spain. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
SEL0047253 © Lourdes Segade
"Els Negres" (The Blacks) are a very important element of the Three Wise Men parade. They are in charge of delivering the presents house by house accessing. With 119 years of history, it is the most ancient one in Spain. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
SEL0047247 © Lourdes Segade
"Els Negres" (The Blacks) are a very important element of the Three Wise Men parade. They are in charge of delivering the presents house by house. With 119 years of history, it is the most ancient one in Spain. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
SEL0047248 © Lourdes Segade
Mar (in the center) and Pablo (with glasses) are thrilled by the presence of the pages. Also auntie Mari Carmen. The Blacks are a very important element of the Three Wise Men parade, as they deliver the presents house by house accessing by long ladders. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
SEL0047262 © Lourdes Segade
Mar is thrilled by the presence of the pages, who have brought her a big present she tries to lift. The Blacks are a very important element of the Three Wise Men parade, since they deliver the presents house by house accessing. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
SEL0047261 © Lourdes Segade
Paloma looks at a darts game her brother Pablo has got from the Three Wise Men. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
SEL0047259 © Lourdes Segade
After having got all the presents at auntie and uncle's home, it is time to go back home. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
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Right after the parade finishes, a girl who's got a remote-controlled car goes out to a square to play with it. Alcoy, Alicante (Spain)
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