The Three Kings arrive in Jimena

The Three Wise Men, or Kings, or whatever - you know, the frankincense and myrrh guys - arrived in Jimena yesterday evening. I)t's agood thing the kids had told them about Jimena earlier in the day (see it here) They paraded through the main village, went to San Pablo and then to Estación (if you encountered mounds of camel dung on your way to work this morning, it's their fault entirely). In any case, our good friends at TioJimeno were there for the event, particularly at their arrival at the live Nativity scene they put up every year in Estación. Enjoy the movie, and ¡Gracias, TioJimeno!

Tomorrow: 'dragging the cans'

(Image: TioJimeno)

One of the traditions in Jimena (and other places) is the arrastre de latas, which translates approximately to 'dragging the cans'. The idea is to make sure The Three Kings (Reyes) become aware that in this little village there are a whole lot of children waiting for presents from them. This year's is the eighth edition of a continuous event that in fact was commonplace many years ago here and elsewhere. If you take your child (they're usually over it by age ten) be sure to tie some tin cans on a long piece of string or they will feel left out. Here are some samples of the kind of thing we mean, from a slide show from 2009 - it's fun and very noisy! Oh, and it all starts at 11am from Llano de la Victoria and 'parades' down to the main square, El Paseo. See you there!

Silent night? Not!

Tuesday, Jauary 5. Well, how could it be with all those excited children getting (some of) their presents from Their Magic Majesties? Anyway, it wasn't Christmas, it was Reyes. They all converged at the Reina Sofía Cultural Centre despite the weather. It must be said that the people of Los Ángeles (nee Estación) really put the boat out for their events. The manger was a masterpiece of stage design (probably by Juan Ángel Gómez and his helpers). They even had goats onstage! Congratulations to all of them once more. By the way, you will also see several photos of zambombas, about which you were warned (See Wossis, then?). All photos by Jimena Council Press Office.

Them Three Kings of Orient were

Tuesday, January 5, evening. It was touch and go whether Their Majesties would be able to parade down the streets of Jimena, but there was a window of opportunity among the clouds and they did, they came to distribute their presents among the children. Before that, though, they flung sweets at onlookers and waved their way towards the Reina Sofía Cultural Centre, where they met up with the Belén Viviente (next slide). All photos by Jimena Council Press Office.

We're here! We're here!

Tuesday, January 5, morning. The kids make sure the Three Kings know they're there by dragging tin cans through the street in the annual Arrastre de Latas. The weather held out just long enough for them to reach the primary school, where they gathered under the eaves to hear the story of the Giant Botafuegos. Do you know the story? (All photos by Jimena Council Press Office)