This is the first time I've gone to the cinema with my grandson Oliver since
October. That's a long time. Usually I try to go with him twice a month.
There are a lot of children's films being shown over the Christmas holidays,
but he's been busy with other things. What my friends might not know is that
the Christmas holidays last longer in Germany than in other countries.
Most companies are closed from 23rd December to 6th January. The reason is
that the 6th of January is also a national holiday, the Holy Three Kings day,
usually called the Epihany in English. It's an important day in Germany,
because the skeletons were buried in the Cologne Cathedral after being passed
around for centuries.
The shrine is now on an elevated platform behind the altar, and it's become a
place for pilgrims to visit. I find it strange. The three kings went to
Bethlehem to worship Jesus. Today the kings themselves are worshipped by
Catholics, at least in Germany. This isn't right. If the kings were alive
today they'd tell us they don't want to be worshipped.
Now to the film. It serves as a prequel to the classic Disney film, "The Lion
King". The story seems to repeat the plot. I found the film interesting, but
what fascinated me the most was the beautiful imagery. I visit the zoo in
Stuttgart frequently (in some months more than others), but the animals looked
more beautiful in the film than anything I've seen in the zoo.
Oliver greatly enjoyed the film. That's the most important thing. I need to
encourage him to watch the glorious 1994 animated film.
