The procession of the Three Kings will be decorated with a new character - the shining golden Sun

In 2025 January 6 The people of Šiauliai invite you to join us in crowning the festive period of the year by solemnly celebrating Three Kings Day. 5:30 p.m. the procession of the Three Kings will walk through the streets of the city, where this year a new symbol will appear together with other characters - the 2.5 m high Sun shining in golden colors. The participants of the procession will greet the townspeople, wishing them a joyful farewell to the holiday season and inspiration for the new year.
The organizer is the Šiauliai Cultural Center. The event is free.

The Three Kings are the wise men described in the Gospel, Kaspar, Merkel and Balthazar, who came to Bethlehem to visit the newly born baby Jesus Christ. It is mentioned that that time they brought expensive gifts: gold, symbolizing the king's authority, incense - divinity, and myrrh - earthly suffering. This day, celebrated on January 6, marks the end of the Christmas period and the appearance of Christ to the world. In ancient times, it was a special day when families gathered together for prayer and shared festive rites.

Today, the Feast of the Three Kings gives meaning to the continuity of traditions and encourages thinking about spiritual values ​​and community. This is also reflected in the traditionally held event in Šiauliai - the Three Kings Parade. "In Šiauliai, this day turns into a special community celebration every year, where history, creativity and the city's identity are intertwined. This year, the procession of the Three Kings, full of impressive characters and new symbols, invites you to accompany the great holidays of the year together, welcome the light and discover the hope that is meant for each of us. Every year, the number of participants who want to join the Three Kings procession is surprising, so we hope for no less activity this year as well", says the director of the Šiauliai Cultural Center, Deimantė Bačiulė.

In this year's procession, the townspeople will be able to see not only the three kings - Kaspar, Merkel and Balthazar, who are almost 3 meters tall, but also the animals accompanying them: Sheep, Assiliuk, Ayutukas and the Camel who joined last year. This year, they will be joined by a new symbolic character - the shining, golden Sun, signifying the return of light, the winter solstice. This two and a half meter tall figure, which, like other characters, was created by Šiauliai Cultural Center artist Reda Uogintienė, symbolizes not only the expected spring, but also the city of the Sun itself - Šiauliai. At the head of the procession, the Morning Star will show the way - impressive and bright, as it is believed, lighting the way for the Three Kings to Bethlehem.

From the Šiauliai Cultural Center, through Kaštonų aleja and Vilniaus gatvė boulevard, the procession will reach Tilžės gatu. The noisy procession will delight the people of Šiauliai and the guests of the city until it reaches its final destination - Resurrection Square. The gathered spectators will be greeted by a priest on the occasion of the noble celebration, who traditionally distributes consecrated chalk to residents and guests of the city so that they can continue the beautiful tradition of writing "+K+M+B" above the doors of their homes. It is an ancient Christian tradition that is believed to symbolize protection, blessing and God's protection for the home and its inhabitants.

The organizers remind that during the procession, traffic will be restricted for a short time from Vilniaus st. boulevard Tilžės street to Resurrection Square.

The information is provided by Edita Smindriūnaitė, Deputy Head of the Event Organization Department of the Šiauliai Culture Center, tel. +370 656 13 886, e-mail edita.smindriunaite@siauliukc.lt.

Photo by Rolandas Parafinavičius and Liubov Yarmoshenko.