Other events in Baltic States

The procession of the Three Kings (the Three Wise Men) which will mark the end of the Christmas period will take place in Lithuania's capital Vilnius, informs LETA/ELTA.

The procession will begin at the Gates of Dawn and continue to the Cathedral Square. The procession will be led by Biblical characters who will wish a fertile year and will bring presents to the nativity scene.

The twelve days of Christmas end with the Feast of Epiphany also called The Adoration of the Magi or The Manifestation of God. Celebrated on January 6, it is known as the day of the Three Kings (or wise men/magi): Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar. According to an old legend based on a Bible story, these three kings saw, on the night when Christ was born, a bright star, followed it to Bethlehem and found there the Christ child and presented it with gold, frankincense and myrrh.

January 6, the last day of Christmas, comes with its own traditions, rituals and symbols. Carollers are going from house to house; in many homes the Christmas tree is taken down and in some areas is burnt in a big bonfire. For the children this is an especially joyous occasion because, associated with taking down the tree goes the plundern (raiding) of the tree. The sweets, chocolate ornaments wrapped in foil or cookies, which have replaced the sugar plums, are the raiders' rewards.