The Three Kings Parade

January 07, 2024

6th of January is a big day in Poland - 2 days holiday, all the shops shut and the annual Three kings parade here in Bydgoszcz. It was a massive event.

The parade started with Mass in the Basilica of St Vincent De Paul (just up the street form where I work).

As soon as I got off the bus, I joined a river of people flowing into the church where was barley any standing room in the Basilica it was so full. Just visible at the front of the church were the headdresses of the three kings; three men dressed in the colour assigned to their continent ; Blue for Africa, Green for Asia and red for Europe. There was also a full retenue for each king, pages carrying their gifts, flag carriers - and pages. The parade seems to be set some where in the middle ages judging by the costumes. . I was standing at the back with a few of the English speaking parishioners from St Andrews; Euphrasia, and Chris the wife of John who was playing the part of the king of Asia. Chris had also brought along other Indian friends from Bydgoszcz to support John. We were all wearing Green crowns - the colour assigned to Asia. There was a sea of crowns and costumes filling the church.

After the Mass, there was a short drama, I think it involved Herod as there was a shouty man! Then the river of people flowed out of the back doors, down the steps the kings and their retenue bringing up the rear but then moving into the space in front of the basilica to mount their steeds. John was on what looked like quite a lively horse, his first time! But the horse, with a groom at his head, quickly settled down . The king of Africa's' dromedary looked a bit more placid 😅

The crowd was enormous spilling out over the road. Waiting at the front were three angels on stilts and someone carrying an enormous tinsel covered star on pole . Soon it was time to set off, first the star and stilt-walking angels, then king of Europe and his camp of supporters, then a truck with music and a singer, we sang all the way into town - I have no idea what; Euphrasia and I la-la-laed and clamped and danced. Were were behind the king of Asia and his group including incense wavers (frankincense), behind us was the king of Africa and the camel. Thousands of people were in the procession and more were on the sides of the road. we walked past the school turned right onto the main road - trams still trundling down the middle of the road!! It had snowed during the night so it was very cold and the snow continued on and off during the day, making it very atmospheric.

We walked, with stops now and then, to the corner of Gadanska street and then right through the Christmas market, past the Ferris wheel and bar with the talking moose, over the bridge and into Sary Rynek ( the old square) where there was an enormous stage in the middle. we stuck with the king of Asia group, I don't think we could have left even if we had wanted to but we ended up quite near the front of the stage where there was a choir of adults; men dressed as town burghers, women and children as angels children with Mary and Joseph sitting on chairs in the middle of the stage with a real baby which slept flat outthought out the entire, deafeningly loud, proceedings. It was a little quieter on stage with the speakers facing out!! The bishop opened up the proceedings with a prayer, a blessing and a reading and there were 2 compares one dressed as a medieval cleric and the other in a beautiful crimson outfit with a feather in his hat.

Firstly 6 shepherds, adults and children came onto the stage, two children gave speeches and sang beautifully to the holy family. Next, in turns, the three kings each processed onto the stage with great ceremony, royal music, fan fares and plenty of singing from the choir. They gave a speech of praise and worship of Jesus, then the pages came and presented their gifts.

Finally I think a Jewish rabbi, St Francis and another person came on stage, knelt and made speeches.

The whole event rounded off with lots more singing of Christmas ( I presume) songs and going on stage for photos with the holy family (baby still sleeping) and the three kings - off to one side.