Next week, San Pedro de Alcantara will be celebrating the ‘Día de Andalucía’ that falls on Thursday 28th February, a public holiday in the autonomous region of Andalucía. A festive day that is celebrated throughout the whole of Andalucía with many cultural events and competitions, people commemorate this special date by decorating balconies and streets in many of the towns with the Andalusian flag, a common sight of green and white representing hope and peace.
So be sure to check opening hours beforehand as most schools, shops and businesses will be closed or have shorter opening hours on this day. Various activities are usually scheduled to commemorate the day in public schools, as kids learn to sing and play the anthem of Andalucía on flutes, make paper flags and on many occasions, with the help of parent teacher associations, eat a snack of fresh bread with olive oil and orange juice—therefore promoting the produce of this region.
Andalucía Day commemorates the referendum for the autonomy, which took place on February 28th 1980, and granted full autonomy to the Andalusian community of Spain. Andalucía has the largest autonomous community in terms of population, with over eight million inhabitants, and is the second largest in the area (Castile & Leon being the first). Its culture is the result of a rich mix of the different civilizations that over time have shaped its particular identity—a footprint left by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans and Muslims. Andalucía’s name was introduced into the Spanish language in the 13th century and comes from the Arabic word Al-Ándalus, the name given to this area under the Islamic rule.
Andalucía is a stunning region in the south of Spain, composed of the provinces of Almería, Cádiz, Córdoba, Granada, Huelva, Jaén and Málaga with Seville as its capital. All these cities enjoy a fascinating history, are blessed with a wonderful temperature all year around and also adhere to the well-known Mediterranean diet, so a visit to any of these amazing cities should be a must.
In San Pedro Alcántara on Dia de Andalucía, there is a programme of activities organised by the Town Hall, with the following agenda:
11:00hrs – The Andalusian flag is raised at San Pedro’s town hall
12:00hrs – Children’s animation and workshops on San Pedro’s boulevard
13:00hrs – Performance by Panda de Verdiales, a traditional music group who use a wide variety of instruments that include guitars, violins, drums, tambourines and the bandurria (similar to a mandolin). There is also a free tasting of cocido andaluz (Andalusian stew) for all attendees at the boulevard
18:30hrs – Free concert on the boulevard, of Siempre Así, a well-known Andalusian choir assemble, who travel throughout Spain with their singing and music
See you there!
Image courtesy of: Ayuntamiento de Marbella.