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!

Here are the tin cans being dragged

JIMENA We were there at the very beginning, though admit to have flagged towards the end in the square. There they were, all the kids with their tin cans on lengths of string - and lots of very clever and imaginative efforts that required more than just tying cans to string. There were less kids this year, we think, but more creativity. If you wish to purchase a picture, please contact us with the reference number(s) for the one(s) you want.

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!

Dragging tins for Their Splendiferous Majesties The Three Kings and a whole lot more fantasticobulous things for the kids

(Press release) As we told you in the Season's programme, tomorrow is the day when the kids drag tin cans all over the village so that Their Majestic Majesties the Three Kings will be sure to - what? Why? Okay, we told you about it last year, so you can read all about it here. Parents, you still have time to go out and collect as many tins as possible, tie them all up and drag the kids - no, not the kids, the cans- up to the Llano de la Victoria in Jimena to have a whole lot of very noisy fun. Tomorrow's event starts, as always, at 11 am at the Llano de la Victoria square and heads down to El Paseo. But wait, there are lots of other great Majestic Majesty things going on in Jimena and San Pablo, so don't miss the programme below.>

Collecting toys for the Three Kings to distribute

Jimena Council and several local associations are organizing a campaign, called No Child Without  Toy,  to collect toys for the kids who might otherwise not get any on the morning of Three Kings (January 6th). Below you will find when and where the collections will be taking place, and who are getting involved in this excellent idea. You can take a new or semi-new toy, preferably wrapped -please indicate boy (niño) or girl (niña) if you can't see what it is. The Spanish gift-giving tradition is not Santa Claus (however many of these we see nowadays), but The Three Kings, or Magi, who come round early on Epiphany Morning (Jan. 6th) to distribute their toys to all the children. Those who misbehave will get only a few bits of coal... (See below for collection schedule)>