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The Holiday Season Continues With Three Kings Day
By Michelle Riley
January 05, 2007
For some in the Latino community,
the holiday season isn't over after the New Year celebrations are through.
Tomorrow, on Jan. 6 (12 days after Christmas), many Latinos will be celebrating
Three Kings Day (El Día de Los Reyes). This Christian holiday, also known as
Epiphany, honors the Biblical story of the three kings who traveled to the town
of Bethlehem
to present their
gifts to baby Jesus.
While widely popular in Latin
American countries such as Mexico, several U.S.-based
organizations, especially those in areas with large Latino populations, sponsor
different events to commemorate the holiday. There are social events such as
this year's musical celebration sponsored by the Museum of the City of
New
York's Uptown Sounds and the Community Works and Harlem Arts Alliance as
well as celebrations such as El Museo Del Barrio's annual Three King's Day Parade
through
the streets of
El
Barrio.
Last
year, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg not only participated in El
Museo's parade but also hosted an
honorary reception for Three Kings Day. Attendants at the reception included
Immigrant Affairs
commissioner Guillermo Linares, El Museo
del Barrio executive director Julian Zugazagoitia, and Dolores
Fernandez, the president of Hostos Community
College.
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"[Three Kings Day] is a
magnificent tribute to a historical and spiritual journey that celebrated life
and promise," said Bloomberg. "The hope for change and for greater things to
come is what brings so many people across the globe right here to our City and
together there is no better way to commence a new
year."
El Museo has invited Mayor
Bloomberg to attend this year's parade on Jan. 5.
Traditional customs associated
with Three Kings Day reflect aspects of the American Christmas season. For
instance, Latino families often present gifts to one another on Three Kings Day
instead of on Christmas Day. Instead of leaving cookies and milk for Santa,
Latino children leave their shoes out in hopes that the Three Kings would
generously fill them with gifts.
During the holiday, families
also get together to share the Rosca
de Reyes, a sweet bread decorated with
different types of fruit. The bread is typically in the shape of a crown and has
tiny figures of babies inside to represent the child Christ. According to
tradition, the person served a slice of bread with a baby figure inside, is
obligated to host another family gathering on or before Feb. 2. This date, which celebrates another
Christian holiday called Candlemas or Día
de la Candelaria,
officially marks the end of the Christmas season for most
Latinos.
For information on El Museo's
parade on Jan. 5, click here. For information on
Harlem Arts Alliance's musical, click here. For additional
information on Three Kings Day, click here.
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