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Three Kings of the Orient stop by Formentera

regals reis foto

As every year, their Majesties the Three Kings of the Orient will pull up in the port of la Savina tomorrow, 5 January, at 4:30 p.m. Travelling by boat, their Highnesses will be joined by their page boys and a royal commission. The entire cavalcade of decked out sleighs will then make its way across the entire island.

The' route will start in la Savina and then take the kings up to Sant Francesc by way of the main road. From the edge of town, they will mount Jaume I street (carrer Jaume I) and set their sights on the Constitució square (plaça de la Constitució) where, once arrived, the three monarchs will enter the Sant Francesc Xavier church. Then, on their way out, the kings will hurry across the plaza and take their places on the balcony of the Formentera Island Council (CiF) alongside CiF vicepresident Susana Labrador. From their perch, they will give a warm Christmas greeting to the people below.

The men will continue their trek and meander down the main highway toward Sant Ferran. Once in town, they will take Sant Jaume street (carrer Sant Jaume) up to the town plaza and head into the church to heap praise upon the baby Jesus. All those hoping to catch a glimpse of the Three Kings will get their chance if they wait in the tent set up on the square. The children of Sant Ferran will also be able to pick up their gifts.

The longest part of their journey still ahead of them, the parade will carry on on the main road until reaching la Mola. They will descend the avenue toward the plaza of the El Pilar church and finish up warm and toasty inside, handing out presents to the kids of la Mola.

The boys and girls of Sant Francesc will have to wait until Wednesday, 6 January, to get their presents from the Three Kings. That gift-giving session will take place at the nursery school (Ca ses Monges) once Kings' Mass (Missa de Reis) has finished. Mass is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Sant Francesc Xavier church.

Travelling entertainment

To the delight of children all over, the procession will have its own entertainment programme in tow: the Naïf show will be put on in la Savina and Sant Francesc while kids await the arrival of the kings. On the heels of a successful run last year, Circ Bover has prepared another show full of joy, enthusiasm and colour for this year's audiences. Stilt-walkers, jugglers, acrobats and clowns will no doubt be just a part of Circ Bover's delirious festival.

Formentera is glad to welcome back their Majesties the Kings of the Orient for another Three Kings Day full of magic and gifts. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who plays a part in making the visit possible: the different Formentera parishes, child volunteers, the youth centre (Casal de Joves), Fusteria Quintanilla, Fusteria Formentera, Trasmapi, Fundació Baleària, Pitiüsa Sud, Frutos Secos Ibiza, Carbòniques Tur and the entire crew of the Formentera Island Council.

Approximative time table for the arrival of the Three Kings of the Orient tomorrow, 5 January:

La Savina 4:30 p.m.
Sant Francesc 6 p.m.
Sant Ferran 7 p.m.
El Pilar de la Mola 8:30 p.m.