Three Wise Men (Cabalgata de Reyes) Parade - Madrid, Spain
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Three Wise Men (Cabalgata de Reyes) is Europe’s largest
parade dedicated to children, and held in Spain. On the evening
of 5th Jan 2007, children lined the streets of Madrid to watch a
wide array of floats and Shree Muktajeevan Pipe Band. The
parade has been celebrated for over 60 years and each year
continues to become ever more popular. The parade purely
focuses around children and the receiving of gifts by the Three
Wise Men.
Every city district in Spain hosts a Three Wise Men Parade, with the largest parade being held in Madrid City Centre. In total
Madrid holds thirteen parades, all finishing by 6pm so that visitors
can make their way to the largest parade in the heart of Madrid.
The all Indian Shree Muktajeevan Pipe Band was proud to be
involved in the parade and was the only international group that
had been selected over twelve other bands from Europe and the
United States of America.
The parade Production Director, Silvia Jimeno and Event
Coordinator, Vicente Piqueras had selected Shree Muktajeevan
Pipe Band as the key attraction because of its uniqueness. Silvia
Jimeno, Production Director of the parade said “it is important that
floats and artists appeal to the thousands of children, whilst
promoting mixed cultures. Shree Muktajeevan Pipe Band was
ideal for the occasion, Indians dressed in Scottish kilts and living
in London, is a truly magnificent fusion of cultures”.
The Parade had thirty six floats, of which only four were musical
groups. In total, there were four sections to the parade, and
Shree Muktajeevan Pipe Band lead the third section, children’s
tails; Jack and the Bean Stalk and 1001 Nights: Sultan, Aladdin,
Ali Baba and The Forty Thieves and Sinbad the Sailor.
Police and Security Officials estimated that a record 1 million people, many of them children, crammed Madrid’s most famous street Castellana, to view
the fantastic spectacle. Floats travelled along the parade route
scattering a mammoth 10 tonnes of sweets into the crowd of
children, with over 12 million sweets given to visitors. The Parade
set off at 7pm and with the grand finale closing at the Fountain of
Cybele by 9pm.
Over sixty television and twenty radio channels, broadcasted the
event worldwide. The entire parade was broadcasted live on the
three major Spanish TV Channels; Tele Madrid, TV International
and Chanel Four.
Vicente Piqueras, Event Coordinator said “……the crowds loved
Shree Muktajeevan Pipe Band, especially when they played
Indian music. When speaking to other parade officials, they all
claimed that The Band was the highlight of the event. I had
visited the band in their Temple in Golders Green, London during
the planning stages, and had the opportunity to speak to HDH
Acharya Swamishree. Upon hearing the band and seeing the
congress at the Temple, I was very impressed. Shree
Muktajeevan Pipe Band is a very unique musical group and we
would love to have them here again next year”.
Shree Muktajeevan Pipe Band will continue with its series of
worldwide performances honouring Shree Muktajeevan
Swamibapa during His Centenary year, with its next public
performance to be held in Mumbai, in April 2007.
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