Cieza, Epiphany, Three Kings and Auto de los Reyes Magos

Cabalgata and the Auto de los Reyes Magos

In Spain the celebration of Three Kings or Epiphany, has always been more important than Christmas day, although today more and more families are enjoying both celebrations. It is a tradition throughout Spain to end the Christmas Festivities with a Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Procession) which takes place late afternoon / early evening on 5th January each year.  

Cieza maintains this tradition when the whole of the town comes out into the street to greet their Royal  Majesties from the East.  This is a magical and special night where young and old wait with excitement for the three Kings to pass by, following the tradition of giving toys and gifts for the very young and good intentions for the rest.

Since the middle of the XX century, the Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos and their entourage of more than 100 people, have made their entrance to the town via the Puente de Hierro (iron bridge) and have passed through the streets of the old quarter until they reach the Plaza de España.  The Kings arrive on horseback, accompanied by music, dance and a procession of floats, and once in the Plaza, greet the public and distribute sweets to the children.

It is also a Spanish custom to hold an Auto de los Reyes Magos (Theatrical performance).  This is usually held on January 6th, as is the case in most Murcian localities and indeed most of Spain.  However, uniquely, Cieza celebrates its Auto de los Reyes Magos after the Cabalgata to end a perfect evening with even more drama.
Many fiestas and celebrations were stopped in Spain during the period of the Spanish Civil War, amongst them the celebration of the Auto in Cieza. 

This tradition was resurrected in the 1990s when the Auto was performed once again in Cieza.  It is based on the original XIV century text of an unknown author and is written in old Spanish which has been adapted by Fernando Lázaro Carreter.  It includes the four main acts of the medieval play with: the encounter of the Kings and their journey to meet the baby Jesus, the visit to Herod, Herod questioning the wise men to find out what the Three Kings know and the finale with the Baby Jesus in the stable in Bethlehem.