Holidays and School Vacation

With Epiphany, the three Wise Men from the East are commemorated. It actually goes back to the appearance of the Lord. The carol singing has developed in German-speaking countries in accordance to the mentioned kings. Members of the community, mostly children, dress like the three Wise Men and walk from door to door to sing a song and write a special sign in chalk over the doors in style of C+M+B+current year. They often collect donations for charities, too. In France, Belgium, Spain and parts of Switzerland, people buy a special epiphany cake which is different in every country. Spain has another reason to celebrate, because the distribution of Christmas presents also takes place on Epiphany.