Celebrate February 28 in Andalusia: the day of Andalusia
Every year on February 28 is a very special day for all Andalusians, because it is celebrated the day of Andalusia. This day is bank holiday, peopel do not work and all Andalusians spend the day with family and friends, also taking part to important constitutional and institutional events. But why is Andalusia Day celebrated?
Why is 28 February celebrated in Andalusia?
Andalusia is an autonomous region of Spain, composed of 8 provinces: Almería, Cádiz, Córdoba, Granada, Huelva, Jaén, Málaga and Sevilla. As the Diario de Sevilla tells us, after many years of struggle for independence, it was on February 28, 1980 when the Andalusians went to the polls to decide the autonomous future of the community. The votes in favor of the yes were the majority in almost all the Andalusian provinces, so that the Statute of Autonomy of Andalusia was definitively approved. (Diario de Sevilla source: Why is Andalusia Day celebrated on February 28? (diariodesevilla.es) So this holiday commemorates the referendum of the Statute of Autonomy of Andalusia held on February 28, 1980.
As a Spanish school, at iNMSOL we love our culture, and we want to tell you a little more about this day.
Flag of Andalusia
One of the results of independence has been the creation of the flag of Andalusia, which consists of three horizontal bands of the same size in green, white and green, symbolizing the hues of the Andalusian landscape, the values of purity and hope in the future, as indicated on the website of the Junta de Andalucía. It also has a shield formed by the figure of Hercules that holds two lions between columns. Finally, at the bottom, there is a legend with the phrase „Andalusia for Spain and Humanity“. (Information taken from an article of the Sixth, available at this link Why is Andalusia Day celebrated? (lasexta.com)
On the other hand, there is also the hymn of Andalusia, which has its origin in the „Holy God“ and is a song that the peasants hummed while working. Later, it was adapted by José del Castillo Díaz. (Information taken from an article of the Sixth, available at this link Why is Andalusia Day celebrated? (lasexta.com))
La bandera blanca y verde
vuelve, tras siglos de guerra,
a decir paz y esperanza,
bajo el sol de nuestra tierra.
¡Andaluces, levantaos!
¡Pedid tierra y libertad!
¡Sea por Andalucía libre,
España y la Humanidad!
Los andaluces queremos
volver a ser lo que fuimos
hombres de luz, que a los hombres,
alma de hombres les dimos.
¡Andaluces, levantaos!
¡Pedid tierra y libertad!
¡Sea por Andalucía libre,
España y la Humanidad!
What to do on February 28 ?
Many people take advantage of this day to travel, especially if the holiday is on Monday, as they can enjoy the entire weekend before until Monday. In addition, you can also do many activities in different cities, for example go to museums, which during this day are usually free or also participate in institutional events that are usually held in different cities of Andalusia. Another idea, especially if you are from a foreign country and you are living in Andalusia, is to enjoy the walks and views of the city, since to commemorate the Day of Andalusia, since all the cities and villages of the community are decorated with the flag of Andalusia, so that the green and white pennant is seen in virtually all establishments. In addition, you can visit the Parliament of Andalusia, which on this date celebrates its Open Days.
Many and varied ways to celebrate the day of Andalusia, Independence and Freedom!