It’s that time again. Tuesday, 12th of October marks the combo-holiday of the Virgin Saint “El Pilar” (La Virgen del Pilar) and the “Fiesta Nacional de España” – a.k.a. “Día de la Hispanidad“, commemorating the day in 1492 when Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas.
A “Puente“, in Spanish, literally means “bridge”, and is the custom of taking a holiday, like this one, effectively stretching the weekend, creating a “bridge holiday” or long weekend. All of these “Puentes” are often used for taking little trips within Spain or even abroad. But, what with all the economic crisis, people stay home too.
If you know someone whose first name is Pilar or María del Pilar you can wish them a happy Saint’s Day and take them out for a meal or, at the very least, give a phone call or nice email. Unfortunately, traditional Spanish names like Pilar, María, and Rosa are less often chosen for newborn children. It seems many “modern” parents want to put the past behind them, instead naming their kids after popular characters of current-day American TV series. It’s so odd hearing some mother yelling for her child in the street, “¡Brandon! ¡Venga! ¡A comer!”
Otherwise, the Fiesta Nacional de España is a big deal to many in Spain. Not many really think of it as a celebration of Columbus’ discovery, however. Mostly, it’s a nationalist day – and that carries a lot of implications. To an American and even to a Brit, this sounds perfectly logical. But to many, in a country still deeply divided from 40 years of dictatorship, this day is often associated with the extreme right, an appreciation, for some, of fascism.
On the morning of the 12th of October in the country’s Capital, Madrid, the (one-time) long military parade marches down the Paseo de la Castellana, presided over by Spain’s King Juan Carlos, dressed himself in military uniform. Along with Spanish soldiers and their tanks, military brigades from other countries will also march.
The parade is quite a spectacle, the only parade of its kind in Madrid each year, and is always well-attended. Get there early if you want to see more than the hats of those parading by.
Oddly enough, this year’s parade has been cut by 66% in length. Ouch!! Every other year I can remember they started at the Plaza de Cuzco, traveled down the Paseo de la Castellana, and finished at the Plaza de la Cibeles, with the King and court residing at the Plaza de Colón. BUT NOT THIS YEAR.
According to this Munimadrid.es page (in Spanish), the festivities begin at 9:55am and the parade starts marching down the Castellana from the Plaza de Cuzco, passing through the Plaza de Lima, and then ending at the next major intersection at calle Raimundo Fernandez Villaverde and calle Joaquín Costa (metro Nuevos Ministerios). The “traditional” route is 4.9 kilometers while this “abridged” route is only 1.5 kilometers. I haven’t read yet why they decided to shorten the path. The economic crisis, maybe? They wanted to save money? Might be a good idea, especially after 2008’s 250,000€ price tag which drew so much criticism.
People wishing to watch the Madrid parade from abroad can likely do so LIVE via TeleMadrid SAT and also TVE– whose links can be found on the Spain Radio, TV, Music, & Movies page.
Great post! My wife and I left Madrid Tuesday morning so we missed the festivities, but did get to experience the “puente” of our amigos en Madrid.
I am so happy to see these regular posts coming returning!
Gracias y Hasta la proxima!
Pete
I was in the Galeria de Cristal behind the Palacio de Comunicaciones (on my way down to El Brillante) and the air force planes flew directly overhead. Looking up at them through the glass roof was certainly impressive, especially with the noise echoing around the courtyard.
I don’t doubt that was an impressive sight, Irlandés. Would’ve like to have seen it myself but instead caught it – minus the fly-by – on TV from Granada where I was visiting at the time. Hope you caught some of the parade too!