The magic of the Three Wise Men triumphs over the cold and snow: "They always come, they are magic"

BarcelonaLaia is nervous because the Three Kings haven't arrived in Catalonia yet, and she's been waiting for them for quite some time. Like every year, she and her brother will greet Their Majesties from the top of a ladder so as not to miss a thing, but this time they're bundled up in scarves and wool hats to protect themselves from the low temperatures that have characterized this year's festivities. "They'll come, they always come. The Kings are magical and will live forever," her older brother reassures her, having witnessed several parades before and knowing what he's talking about. Hours before the arrival of Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar, it snowed in different parts of the country, but in the major cities, the snow that fell between dawn and mid-morning on Monday didn't last long and melted by the afternoon. At higher elevations, however, there was a whitewashed parade, a very unusual sight in Catalonia.

In fact, early this morning the snowflakes had left the most anxious among us, wondering if the Three Kings might change their minds and not make their traditional stroll before delivering gifts to every Catalan home. However, Their Majesties' magic easily triumphed over the cold, and shouts erupted in Barcelona's Ciutadella Park when the mounted guard and the first royal pages appeared. "They're coming, the Kings are coming!" they exclaimed from the top of the steps. Bruc, who doesn't want to miss a thing, practically never closes his eyes and diligently reports everything he sees to those who don't have such a privileged position as his. "Look, Grandma, a horse pooped!" he says, laughing.

The anticipation of those gathered in the Catalan capital grew as the floats passed by. Thousands of families had been waiting for over an hour to get a front-row spot, despite the cold and the threat of rain, and Julia quietly admitted to her mother that the last part of the parade was her favorite. "My favorite part is the candy," she whispered in her ear. However, with the arrival of the pages collecting the letters, all her worries vanished, and she raised her hands and called out to hand over hers so she wouldn't miss out on presents. Finally, with her father's help, she managed to get her letter, and once she'd given it, all that was left was to wait for Their Majesties to arrive.

"Long live King Melchior, who will bring gifts and joy!" was repeated from the float of the first King of the East, who was retiring José Creuheras, president of Grupo Planeta. The arguments between siblings to be at the top of the ladder were quickly forgotten, and there was only room for applause and greetings. Everyone wanted to welcome him. King Gaspar, who bears a striking resemblance to the Minister of the Presidency, Albert Dalmau, is just as popular as his counterpart, and everyone greets him enthusiastically, especially after seeing the toy train loaded to the brim with gifts of all kinds. "Time for bed early tonight," a mother tells her son Bernat, who wonders who all these presents are for.

King Balthazar, the spitting image of actor Anthony de León Pérez, from the Los Ríos de Catalunya association, debuts a new float this year, and his pages get the crowd dancing and singing to the rhythm of djembes, African drums. The live music thrills young and old alike, who are also impressed by the giant elephant and giraffe puppets that the pages operate. Earlier, they had already been impressed by the entourage dedicated to the Tour de France, featuring circus performers and a group of cyclists performing acrobatic routines.

The most anticipated moment has arrived, and the excitement among the attendees is palpable. "If you haven't behaved... Coal, coal!" they announce from the coal float to all the children impatiently awaiting the treats. Some, like Yago, worry that they won't get any sweets. "Aren't there any candies?" he wonders. His fears vanish when he sees the large candy float, led by page Omar, showering gluten-free sweets left and right for the brave souls who have patiently waited until the very end. While some scramble to grab as many as they can, others have been fast asleep in their parents' arms for some time now, exhausted after so much excitement.

They arrive by sea and by train

In Barcelona, Their Majesties arrived at the port aboard a traditional swallow-shaped boat. Once ashore, they were greeted by Mayor Jaume Collboni at the Portal de la Pau, where he offered them bread and salt and presented them with the key to the city so they could enter every home to distribute gifts. "Barcelona prays for world peace tonight and always," the mayor told them before the parade through the city began. The Three Kings had nearly 1,300 helpers, who distributed some seven tons of sweets to the crowds. The parade route followed Avenida del Marqués de la Argentera, Passeig de Colom, Avenida del Paral·lel, Ronda de Sant Pau, Carrer d'Urgell, and Carrer de Sepúlveda, before turning onto Avenida de la Reina Maria Cristina and arriving at Montjuïc.

The Three Kings also traveled by sea to other Catalan towns, such as Blanes, where they were greeted with a fireworks display, and Lloret de Mar, where hundreds of children welcomed them with lanterns as they disembarked. After visiting the children along the Catalan coast, Their Majesties took a train to Lleida, where they were received at the Lleida-Pirineus station by the mayor, Fèlix Larrosa, and other local representatives, before boarding their carriages again. As Their Majesties left the Lleida station, the children called out the names of their favorite kings, and some even took the opportunity to hand over their letters in the final moments before the most anticipated night of the year.

Despite the cold and snow that fell throughout the morning, Their Majesties didn't want to miss visiting any corner of Catalonia. The arrival of Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar went smoothly, despite the snow and cold weather alert. In fact, the snow that fell between dawn and morning, leaving cities blanketed in white, melted by the afternoon in most places. In the towns where the snow hadn't melted, the Three Kings also arrived without problems, before visiting Catalan homes to deliver gifts.