Post-Xacobeo -- Journal 7/25
Today there were a number of religious activities as well as a tremendous nationalist procession through town.
The highlight of the religious stuff, for me, was watching the different spanish political figures kiss the statue of St. James in the church after mass. The king and queen (in a traditional mantilla, no less!) gave the saint sensitive kisses on the cheek. But President Zapatero just couldn't do it. He tried, closed his eyes, bent his face near the icon, then shook his head and walked away with a smile. I respected him for that -- he could have been a hypocrite and kissed the saint without having any religious conviction, but he was too honest with himself to do that.
The nationalist parade was in celebration of Galicia Day, which is always the day after St. James' birthday. It went from the south end of town all the way to the center to end in a big scary-sounding rally at one of the large plazas.
People carried a number of different flags and signs - the ubiquituous Nunca Maís, BNG (Bloc Nationalista de Galicia), and Galicia Nova (another nationalist group). There were also a number of communist flags and some national union flags in the mix.
The rally ended with a sonorous recital of the galician anthem, accompanied by bagpipes and tambourines. The anthem seems to be traditionally sung with both fists straight up in the air. Or, if you're holding a beer, one fist.
The highlight of the religious stuff, for me, was watching the different spanish political figures kiss the statue of St. James in the church after mass. The king and queen (in a traditional mantilla, no less!) gave the saint sensitive kisses on the cheek. But President Zapatero just couldn't do it. He tried, closed his eyes, bent his face near the icon, then shook his head and walked away with a smile. I respected him for that -- he could have been a hypocrite and kissed the saint without having any religious conviction, but he was too honest with himself to do that.
The nationalist parade was in celebration of Galicia Day, which is always the day after St. James' birthday. It went from the south end of town all the way to the center to end in a big scary-sounding rally at one of the large plazas.
People carried a number of different flags and signs - the ubiquituous Nunca Maís, BNG (Bloc Nationalista de Galicia), and Galicia Nova (another nationalist group). There were also a number of communist flags and some national union flags in the mix.
The rally ended with a sonorous recital of the galician anthem, accompanied by bagpipes and tambourines. The anthem seems to be traditionally sung with both fists straight up in the air. Or, if you're holding a beer, one fist.
2 Comments:
thought-provoking, mootable pv. just my thoughts, well anyways gl & be chipper is what i say
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