Winter holidays will be accompanied by the Three Kings: even a Camel will march in Šiauliai

In 2024 January 6 The city of Šiauliai will crown the big holidays of the year by commemorating Three Kings Day. This day occupies a special place in the heart of every resident and guest of the City of the Sun, not only because of religious motives, but also because of the cultural and festive atmosphere it spreads. That day at 1 p.m. the main streets of Šiauliai will be bustling with a noisy theatrical procession of the Three Kings with a cheerful entourage, including a new character - Kupranugaris. The participants of the procession will greet every passer-by and bystander with the holiday marking the end of the big year's holidays and the beginning of new works.
The organizer is the Šiauliai Cultural Center. The event is free.

The journey of the Three Kings - Kaspar, Merkel and Balthasar - symbolizes the biblical story of the wise men who, accompanied by a star, brought gifts - gold, frankincense and myrrh - to the newborn baby Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. These symbolic gifts have extraordinary significance. Gold symbolizes kingship and royalty, frankincense represents Jesus' divine nature, and myrrh represents his humanity.

Saturday, January 6, 1 p.m. In the city of Šiauliai, a ceremonial procession of the Three Kings will traditionally take place. The almost 3-meter tall crowned mask characters Kaspars, Merkelis and Baltazars will be accompanied by Sheeps, Donkey, Bull, and they will be joined by a new character - Camel, who, like the other characters, was created by Šiauliai Cultural Center artist Reda Uogintienė. The new character will stand out from the crowd not only with its solemn and noble appearance, its symbolic meaning, but also with its size - the Camel will be 2.5 m long and 2 m high. Ahead, as the legend tells, the impressive and bright Morning Star will show the way to the baby Jesus Christ.

The director of the Šiauliai Cultural Center, Deimantė Bačiulė, is convinced that the procession of the Three Kings, which has become a tradition, not only marks the end of the festive period, but also reminds us of the deep values of generosity, faith and togetherness. "The Feast of the Three Kings is a bridge between the period of reflection and the beginning of the new year. In many cultures, this day is characterized by an abundance of events and lively processions. Šiauliai is no exception. The trip of the great sages, which united various cultures for a common goal, unites the community every year for this wonderful continuity of traditions", - says D. Bačiulė.

Traditionally, Šiauliai Cultural Center will be the starting point of the theatrical procession, from where the Three Kings with their noisy and high-spirited entourage will move towards Kaštonų aleja, bustling Vilniaus st. along the pedestrian boulevard, will continue to joyfully march and greet residents standing and passing by on Tilžės street until they reach the decisive point - the square near Šiauliai City Municipality. Here the Three Wise Men will reward and honor the baby Jesus Christ. The gathered spectators will be greeted by St. Egidijus Venckus, pastor of the Cathedral of the Apostles Peter and Paul. It is hoped that the Three Kings Festival will invite people to reflect on the journey of the past year and bring hope, love, unity and meaningful work into the new year.

The organizers remind that during the procession, traffic will be restricted for a short time from Vilniaus st. boulevard Tilžės street to the square near Šiauliai city municipality.

After the end of the most beautiful holidays of the year, on January 6, Šiaulių energija AB invites you to the Christmas tree collection campaign, which will take place on January 6 and 7. The company urges not to pollute the living environment, not to leave Christmas trees in the yards or near the staircases, but to bring them to the places where Christmas trees are collected. More information can be found on the website www.senergija.lt.

The information is provided by Ugnė Skačkauskienė, organizer of cultural events of the Šiauliai Cultural Center, mobile. +370 655 25 521, e-mail ugne.skackauskiene@siauliukc.lt.

Photo by Rolandas Parafinavičius and Liubov Yarmoshenko.