Each year Día de Andalucía (“Day of Andalucia” or “Andalucia Day”) is celebrated February. It commemorates the 1980 referendum on the Statute of Autonomy of Andalucia when the people of Andalucia voted for the statute that made it an autonomous community of Spain. As such, this means it has its own regional government.
Celebrations on Día de Andalucía
Although this is not an official holiday, many businesses will close. This year Andalucia Day is on a Wednessday. In many areas throughout Andalucia, towns and villages have some sort of festivities. Likewise, people will decorate their terraces with the green and white bunting and with the flag of Andalucia. Normally, families celebrate Día de Andalucía and go out to have an extensive lunch in a restaurant. Also, some cities celebrate the day organising events or meals with traditional food and entertainment.
For children at primary school or nursery, Día de Andalucía is a special event where they dress up in green and white and flocloric costumes. They have a typical Andalucian breakfast of bread with olive oil and salt or sugar and orange juice. Furthermore, they learn about the history of Andalucia. Often, they will put on plays, colour pictures of the insignia of Andalucia, and sing the Himno de Andalucia.
Blas Infante
The founder of Andalucían nationalism was Blas Infante. Also known as “the father of Andalucia”, he wrote the lyrics for the regional anthem and created the Andalucian flag. Throughout Andalucia, you will see monuments of Malaga born, Blas Infante.
Although celebrations this year will be somewhat different, you will still most likely see the green and white Andalucian flag widely displayed in shops, businesses and hanging from many balconies. No matter what, it is an important day for the Andalucian people.
The battle for autonomy of Andalucia as a region dates back to well over 100 years. In fact, in 1977 over 2 million Andalucians took to the streets asking for autonomy. They did not see their wish fulfilled until the 1980 referendum. February 28 is indeed a day to celebrate!
Autonomous community
With around 8.5million inhabitants, Andalucia is the most populated autonomous community. And is officially recognised as a nationality within Spain. Spain currently has 17 autonomous regions and two autonomous cities – Ceuta and Melilla. Seville is the capital of the Andalucia region. And within the region, there are eight provinces (Almeria, Cadiz, Córdoba, Granada, Huelva, Jaén, Málaga, and Seville).
Traditional breakfast
If you visit Andalucia, especially during this celebration, Día de Andalucía , you must try the traditional desayuno de Analuz (Andalucian breakfast). Home-baked warm toasted bread drizzled with the liquid gold of local olive oil and topped with freshly grated tomato.
