Wednesday is a national holiday in Spain, el Día de la Hispanidad, Spain´s national day, celebrated each year on October 12, the day that commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus and his crew in America.
Traditionally, most Spaniards spend the day with family, others with friends. It will also be a date to take advantage of a trip or getaway, and in Madrid, a military parade takes place.
The Defence Minister, Margarita Robles, stated this week that “a day like October 12 is a day to feel proud of Spain and it is a day to also ask for unity”.
She continued, “we should feel proud to be Spanish and I say it without any kind of complex”.
Tonight, there will be a “rain of words” in Madrid at 6:00 p.m. in the National Library.
During Columbus Day, on October 12, the capital will host two flamenco and tango ‘ flash mobs ‘ at 1:00 p.m. It is planned that at 8 p.m. the Banda El Recodo will give a free concert in the Plaza Mayor. It is the first band to win a Latin Grammy.
As for the parade itself, that is scheduled to take place from 11 in the morning, in the presence of the King and Queen, and will be televised.
For the full schedule, or to watch the event live, you can visit the website, https://www.defensa.gob.es/12octubre/
