Andalusia, a land comprised of 8 provinces and which is usually a popular area for tourists, celebrates today the most important holiday in the region: the Day of Andalusia. With the aim of claiming their identity and autonomy, Every February 28, different institutional acts and traditions are carried out that endure over time.
If you are Andalusian or have special roots in this land, you will not be surprised to go out through the streets of this community on such a marked day and listen to the anthem of the region everywheresee to children eating bread with oil in schools or find the white and green flag adorning the balconies of the houses.
But what are the origins of this holiday? This festive day dates back to 1980 and commemorates the celebration of the referendum that granted full autonomy to the community, which today is the most populated in all of Spain with more than 8 million inhabitantsas indicated by the National Statistics Institute (INE). We tell you what united the Andalusian people to achieve autonomy and how they managed to get there.
What happened on February 28, 1980?
The Andalusian autonomy movement has its roots in contemporary history like other regionalisms such as that of the Basque Country or Catalonia, as stated in the Andalusian Parliament website. However, all the steps they took to achieve Andalusian autonomy they came to a standstill after the outbreak of the Civil War and the Franco regime.
Therefore, the Andalusian people had to wait for Franco’s death and the beginning of the democratic transition to demand again the autonomy of Andalusia, as described on the website of the Andalusian Government. Throughout 1977, numerous mobilizations arose motivated by the desire to change the situation of discrimination in the region.
Specific, December 4, 1977 A massive demonstration took place where more than a million and a half Andalusians took to the streets of the different provinces to sound their claim, as stated in the Synopsis of the Statute of Andalusia. Despite this, this day did not have a good ending. It resulted in the murder of a young Malaga activist from the Workers’ Commissions, Manuel José García Caparrós, because of a shot during the demonstration, as described by the Royal Academy of History in his biography.
His own name is not forgotten today. In fact, For many Andalusians, the ‘real’ Day of Andalusia is December 4th. Be that as it may, this date has become a reason to remember since this event permeated society so much that it motivated them to continue fighting. Thanks to the 4D manifestation, a referendum was held on February 28, 1980 where Andalusians went to the polls to vote on this autonomous process, as explained on the website of the Board of Andalusia.
It was the first collective victory in Andalusia, where the vote won in seven of the eight Andalusian provinces: Almería was the exception. However, the authorities modified the referendum law and, finally, all were incorporated into the autonomous process. A year later, in 1981, the Statute of Autonomy was approved.
Blas Infante, why is it important for Andalusia?
Blas Infante is known as the Father of the Andalusian Homeland. He was born in 1885 in Casares (Málaga) and was a thinker, politician, writer, historian and musicologist who defended the Andalusian ideal and the cultural and social reality of the region.
In addition to being part of the struggle for Autonomy, it promoted the celebration of the Round Assembly of 1918 where it was approved the white and green flag and the shield of Hercules. A year later, in 1919, wrote the Andalusian Manifesto of Córdoba that described Andalusia as a nation, according to the Andalusian Studies Center. After the outbreak of Civil war, all the autonomist aspirations of Blas Infante were paralyzed and on August 2 of that same year he was arrested. Finally the rebels shot him on August 11, 1936. He became one of the first victims of this warlike confrontation “for having meant himself as a propagandist for the constitution of an Andalusian or Andalusian regionalist party”, as stated on the website of the Andalusian Studies Center.
It was not until April 1983 when the Andalusian Parliament recognized Blas Infante as Father of the Andalusian Homeland due to its determining role in the Andalusian autonomic process.
flag of andalusia
The flag of Andalusia is made up of three horizontal stripes of the same size where the color green and white are present, which symbolize the tonalities of the Andalusian landscape, the values of purity and hope for the future, as indicated on the website of the Board of Andalusia.
It was approved by the Ronda Assembly in 1918 and It has a shield formed by the figure of a Hercules holding two lions between columns.. In the lower part, there is a legend that specifies “Andalusia by itself, for Spain and Humanity”.
On the other hand, the anthem that accompanies this flag has its origin in the ‘Holy God’. Peasants and farmers, while doing their work, hummed this religious song that was adapted by Jose del Castillo Diaz.
The white and green flag
returns, after centuries of war,
to say peace and hope,
under the sun of our land.
Andalusians, get up!
Ask for land and freedom!
Be for free Andalusia,
Spain and Humanity!
We Andalusians want
go back to being what we were
men of light, who to men,
soul of men we gave them.
Andalusians, get up!
Ask for land and freedom!
Be for free Andalusia,
Spain and Humanity!
When is the February bridge in Andalusia?
Andalusians will be able to enjoy the first festive bridge of the year on the occasion of Andalusia Day. Taking into account that February 28 falls on a Monday, they will be able to extend the weekend one more day and plan possible trips.
In the case of schoolchildren, depending on the school where they study, they may even begin the bridge on February 25, since it is the Educational Community Day, and continue partying until Thursday March 3. To clear up any doubts, consult the website of the Ministry of Education and Sports the school calendar.
Source: Lasexta

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