Guys
Christmas isn’t over
yet! While Santa has
stabled his reindeer for another year and given
his elves a well-earned holiday, the Three
Kings are getting ready to shower Spanish
children with more lovely pressies.
n a way, the Spanish tradition is probably
more faithful to the bible than Santa Claus.
Santa is based on St Nicholas, whose
feast day is December 6th and who has
little to do with Christmas apart from
legends that say he gave secret gifts to the poor.
The gifts mentioned in the actual nativity story
are, of course, brought by the Wise Men. In fact,
St Matthew does not mention how many Magi,
I
or Wise Men, came
to adore the newborn Messiah, and
the number derives
from the three gifts of
gold, frankincense and
myrrh mentioned.
Later traditions gave names to
the three distinguished travelers.
They are Caspar, from India; Melchior,
from Persia, and Balthasar, from Arabia. The
biblical description of the magi kneeling before the
baby Jesus is the reason why Christians have always
kneeled to pray.
And on January 5th, the traditional date upon which
the magi arrived at the stable, the Three Kings will
arrive in Lanzarote and at towns and villages
throughout Spain. The Reyes Magos,as they are
known, are the centrepieces of a parade at which they
greet local children, accept letters asking for gifts and
shower the little ones with sweeties. On Lanzarote, the
scene is given an extra touch of Biblical authenticity by
the fact that the lavishly costumed Wise Men parade
on real, live camels (most towns in Spain have to make
do with donkeys or horses).
After the parade, children return home excitedly
to leave a drink out for the Kings and some food for
the camels. In the morning they awake to find out
what the generous gentlemen have left for them,
hoping that they haven’t been naughty enough to
deserve only a bag of coal (special chocolate ‘coal’
is sold to give some kids a good-humoured fright,
but Spanish parents are far too soft to see their
kids go without gifts.)
The Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings
Parade) will take place on the afternoon and
evening of 5th January in most capitals of the
seven municipalities of Lanzarote, as well as in the
resorts and other large villages. The largest parade
is in Arrecife and generally commences at around
6pm. Check What’s On (p.70) or your local
Ayuntamiento for times in your neighbourhood.
Elwell Associates Ltd
mark.elwell 1
The Spanish tax man is actively chasing payment of tax on Spanish Property!
Visit us at one of our walk-in tax clinics
on Wednesdays between 11am to 1pm
Do you own property in Spain?
IF YES - it is LAW to submit a Spanish tax return annually.
N.B. This applies even if you DO NOT have any rental income!
Fines and interest maybe charged on TAX paid late & your bank account can be frozen.
COSTA TEGUISE - EVERY 1ST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH
The Welcome Restaurant & Lounge Bar, Calle Los Geranios,
Opposite Los Molinos complex up from Solbank and Playa Bastian
Tax 1
Tax 2
Tax 3
Local Rates / Council
Rubbish Collection / Basura
Non - Residents
Tax - IBI on Direct Debit
on Direct Debit
Income Tax
?
Sold your property in Spain at a loss? We can claim back your 3% retention successfully for you!
24
| January 2015 | The Gazette
PUERTO DEL CARMEN - EVERY 2ND WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH
The Crafty Cow, C.C. Montaña Tropical, Calle Toscòn
Check our website for other dates and locations.
OR CALL TEL 0034 671324010 TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT