The Three Kings

The Three Kings is a holiday of obligation in Slovakia, on the 6th January, in honor of the Three Wise Men, who came to bow before the newly born, baby Jesus. In the past, this day was celebrated with people going round the houses in the village, dressed up as the three kings and singing Christmas carols.

Mostly, the boys of the village would go around the houses with a star, dressed in long white shirts with crowns on their heads and in some areas even a figure of an angel would accompany them. They would sing carols, make wishes and thank the people for any gifts they might receive. One of the wishes they would make was as follows:

"We, the Three Kings have come to you to wish you health and happiness for many long years. From far away we have come, our journey has been long. We saw the star when Jesus Christ was born, the star shined above Bethlehem. When we came we found Baby Jesus straight away. He was born in poverty, and in his honor we beg for forgiveness that we have come round to wish you a Happy New Year."

The Three Kings (cont...) >>

- Introduction

- Traditional Calendar

- Traditional Food

- Traditional Recipes

- Traditional Crafts

- Folk Music & Dance

- Folkgroup ORAVA

- Folkgroup Kubincan