Councilor for Festivals, RocĂo Ortuño, and Councilor for Health, Irene Celdrán, accompanied the Three Kings from the East this morning in their first stop after arriving in Orihuela. In keeping with tradition, they visited the Vega Baja Hospital, where Casper, Melchior and Balthazar presented gifts to children. RocĂo Ortuño stressed that “the Three Kings have come from far away, but before they rest before tomorrow's Parade, they could not leave their meeting at the hospital. This is a special and very important visit both for them and for us. It is a pleasure for us to accompany them at this moment, and tomorrow we will support them during the official reception and the long-awaited parade.”
Their Majesties were received by the hospital's management, specifically by the Deputy Director of Nursing, Laura Párraga, and the Deputy of the Department of Obstetrics, Childbirth and Neonatology, Olaya BernabĂ©. Both expressed gratitude to the Three Kings “for once again making their first stop at the Vega Baja Hospital, showing tenderness and sensitivity to the little ones. This is a much-anticipated visit, especially for the children who have to spend these days in the hospital.”
After the reception, the Kings visited various departments of the hospital, such as pediatrics, neonatology and mental health.
The Three Kings stated that “we couldn't pass up a visit to the Vega Baja Hospital. It's important that the children who spend these days here continue to believe in magic and hope on these Christmas days. That's why our first stop is always here. Rest will come later, as we have a long day and a night full of work ahead.”
January 5
Today, at 11:00 a.m., an official reception for the Three Kings is planned at Orihuela City Hall, where Orihuela's mayor, Pepe Vegara, will hand them the keys to the city so they can visit all the homes and leave gifts. After the ceremony, the Kings, on camels surrounded by their retinues, will head to the Circo Atanasio Die Theater, where they will receive children who want to personally hand in their last letters, and Casper, Melchior and Balthazar will present them with small gifts. In the afternoon, at 5:00 p.m., the traditional parade in Orihuela Costa will begin, with a route from Nicolás de Bussy Street to the Zenia Boulevard shopping center.
In the center of Orihuela, the parade will begin at 6:30 pm from Las Espeñetas and proceed through the main streets of the city, ending the route at Glorieta Gabriel MirĂł Square. Candy will be distributed during the parade. Festival Councilwoman RocĂo Ortuño also announced that this year an accessible space has been set up in Plaza del Carmen for people with limited mobility to ensure accessibility and good visibility during this special event.
