 By Iride Aparicio |
NEW YORK, N.Y. On January 6, let's join the Parade of El Barrio THREE KINGS DAY before it passes by between 11AM and 12PM at East Harlem, by standing on l06 Street and Park Avenue, where it will be starting or at 115 Street where it will be ending, but, .before we do, let us have breakfast. Where? at El Museo del Barrio, that on that morning (January 6) will host an ADMISSION Thee Kings Day 2023 Kick-Off Breakfast at El Cafe in the Museo, located at 1230 Fifth Avenue in New York City, 10029. from 9:30 AM to l0:30 AM where you will have the opportunity to mingle with sponsors, specialo guests and community leaders, learn more about our honorees, and hear remarks from elected officials when they invite you to join the parade route. This year's three Honoray Kings are: PALOMA IZQUIERDO-HERNANDEZ, President/CEO Urban Health Plan, PRINCESS NOKIA, MC Singer, Songwriter Style Icon, Actress and Activist, and DIOR VARGAS, Mental Health Activist. And after the parade is over, you can continue celebrating, because on that day, El Museo del Barrio, will have a FREE life music concert, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM hosted by actres, and comedian Gina Brillon, featuring musical performance by Milteri Tucker and Bombazo Dance Co. and a lively parranda by Pirate Troubadours.
Those who cannot make the parade in person, can still join the museum on the Museum's on the Museum's Facebook for a LIVE STREAM hosted by multifaceted GRAMMY nominated storyteller, of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent, Miss YaYa Vargas. SPONSORS El Museo del Barrio's 46the Annual Three Kings Day Parade and Celebration is supported by Ponce Bank with public funds from the New Ork City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA). LOS REYES MAGOS -KINGS DAY (HISTORY) Kings Day may be described as Christmas in Spain because it is the day Spaniards give gifts to each other and children. The day is celebrated on January 6, following the Christian tradition which believes to be the date when the three kings, also called wise men,: Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar, arrived in Bethlehem, search for the manger, where Baby Jesus had been born, knelt before him and offered him Gold, because He was the King of the world, Frankincense, to recognize His identity as Holly because He was the Son of God, and Myrrh which was used in the Israel temples to consecrate Kings after their death, to imply his future mortality as a man. In Spain, the festivities officially start the day before, (on January 5) with parades which are a sight to behold. The parades include the kings riding in camels, elaborate floats, dancer's musicians and puppeteers, tossing goodies, usually candies to children who hold bags, skirts up and upside down umbrellas to catch them. On the night of January 5th, Spanish children usually place a pair of their shoes in a balcony or near a window, and on January 6, when they wake up, they find their gifts. The Kings may also bring children a piece of coal, (instead of gifts) because they are very strict, so they bring coal to a child who had not behaved well during the year. Traditionally, Spanish families enjoy feasts on this day that last for hours. In Spain and also in Mexico and other speaking countries people bake Roscones, a cake, which in Mexico is usually baked with a plastic very small babyl doll, which is called "The Muñequito" (little doll) and whoever finds the doll in his or her piece of cake, must organize a party in the future, for everyone, If you happen to be in Spain on these days, buy a Roscone at a pastry shop or at a bakery. They are made only once a year and are delicious. Further information on the Three Kings Parade can be found on their website: https://www.elmuseo.org/ |
