Tickled Squirrel December 2014 | Page 24

Celebrating The Spanish Constitution and The Feast of the Immaculate Conception As many of you will be aware, the 6th and the 8th of December are public holidays. Most of the shops will remain closed, although some food shops are likely to remain open, possibly with limited opening times. The two dates are often merged into a longer holiday, with people taking the 7th as a holiday as well, although this year the 7th is a Sunday. What is the reason for these holidays? December 6th is Constitution Day and celebrates the drawing up of the Spanish Constitution. From April 1st 1939 until November 20th 1975 Franco was head of state in Spain. After his death, Spain was desperately in need of a new constitution and political system and the new fledgling democracy held their first general election on June 15th 1977. The elected parliament started to draw up a new constitution which was approved in a referendum by 88 percent of the population on December 6th 1978, We offer a full range of English & Spanish Legal Services Buying/Selling Property * Remortgages Property Transfers * Rental Contracts & Disputes English & Spanish Inheritance Wills & Probate * Powers of Attorney NIE & Residencias Utility Changes & much much more . . . . . . . . Free First Consultation Tel: 687170241 email: [email protected] www.lbs-spain.com 24 hence the date of its observance. As well as drawing up the constitution, the current flag of Spain, two horizontal red bands separated by a wider yellow band was also confirmed in the constitution. An original copy of the constitution, signed by King Juan Carlos I is in the building of the Spanish Congress of Deputies in Madrid. December 8th is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and celebrates the conception of the Virgin Mary in the womb of her mother Saint Anne. It is widely observed throughout the Roman Catholic world and is calculated as 9 months before the date believed to be Mary’s birthday September 8th, which itself is celebrated as the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As well as Spain, the 8th December is also the patronal feast day of Argentina, Brazil, Korea, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Philippines, the United States and Uruguay. Local Translator / Interpreter Personal and business meetings, phone calls, visits, letters, documents . . . Help with N.I.E. / Residency, Notaries, Schools, Doctors & Hospitals, Property, Police and Paperwork. Rates from 15€ / hour 7 cents / word Call Mark on 639 692 985