Andalucia Day

To celebrate Andalucia Day on Friday 28th February, the Ayuntamiento have scheduled a series of events as follows:

Between 11.00hrs and 11.30hrs in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, speeches and a reading of the declaration that created Andalucia as an automonous region of Spain on the 28th February 1980. The formal speeches will be followed by a performance by the "Banda de Música de Olvera" and then at 12.00hrs the band will parade through the streets of the town eventually returning to the Plaza de Andalucia.

At 13.30hrs in the Plaza de Andalucia, free Chicharrones and chorizo followed by a performance from the excellent flamenco group "La Fragua".

In case of rain, all events will take place at the Indoor Sports Centre. As always, please check the Town Hall website here for accuracy.

Flamenco in the Plaza

After the ceremony in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, we walked to the Plaza de Andalucia where the celebrations were to continue with flamenco music and the eating of traditional chorizada - chorrizo and bread.
We were lucky enough to be able to sit at a table at Bar Mi Pueblo and watch the preparations of the Cuadro Flamenco group as they warmed up before their performance.

It wasn't too long when, after a change of clothes, the group returned to the stage. The singer Laura Román, accompanied by the guitar of Silvio starting proceedings with a rendition of typical flamenco music.

Laura Román.
After a few intense and passionate songs, the dancer Carmen Torres came onto the stage.
Along with the fabulous guitar playing and singing came a stunning display of passionate, energetic, sensual flamenco dance that was admired, appreciated and applauded by all watching.


Absolutely stunning.

After a short break, the group returned in different costume for their final performance.




Boy, am I glad that I didn't miss this. Fantastic. A short video below hopefully shows more of the fantastic performers.

A short video of part of the magical performance.

Andalucia Day

Today was a public holiday in Andalucia, commemorating the referendum in 1980 in which the population voted to create the autonomous region of Andalucia.
The proceedings started at about 1pm with the lowering and raising of the Andalucian flag on the balcony of the Ayuntamiento.

The Band of Olvera were present providing excellent musical support as always.
The local dignitaries were present with the town mayor Fernando Fernández, hands folded, centre front of picture.
It was a beautiful 21°C day, not a cloud in sight.




Our friend Javier getting a good photo for his blog.
After a short while, the band led a procession on a short circuit of town while we headed to the Plaza de Andalucia to continue the celebrations.

Andalucia Day Agenda

The Ayuntamiento have issued the schedule of events to take place on Andalucia Day, Tuesday February 28th as follows:

At 11:30 hrs in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento there will be a flag hoisting ceremony and a recital of the anthem of Andalucia. This will be followed by a performance from the excellent Band of Olvera.

At 12:00 hrs, the Band of Olvera will lead a procession from the Plaza into Calles Maestro Amado, Pozo, Carmona, Fuente Vieja, Ronda, Vereda Ancha, Fuente Nueva, Plaza de la Concordia, Calvario, Mercado, Pico, Llana and ending in the Plaza de Andalucia.

At 13:00 hrs in the Plaza del Andalucia, there will be the traditional Chorizada for all. There will also be a performance of Flamenco music with the guitarist Silvio, the singing of Laura Román and dancing by Carmen Torres

The local Chirigota singing groups " “Los que cobran el día diez” and “Los de la tacita” will also give performances.

In the event that bad weather may interrupt the proceedings, all events will take place in the Fairground Pavilion.

As always, please refer to the Town Hall website here for accuracy of timings and location.

Dia de Andalucia

A public holiday here today, celebrating Andalucia Day, commemorating the establishment of Andalucia as an autonomous region of Spain in 1980.

So on another lovely day with temperatures at about 18 degrees C and near clear blue skies, we walked up to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento to join the celebrations.

The magnificent "Banda de Música de Olvera" were forming up in the plaza awaiting the arrival of the equally talented brass and drums of the Santa Ana Olvera band who were making their way down from the Iglesia.

The flag of Andalucia proudly displayed at the fore.

The "Alcalde" (Mayor) in the centre with other town dignitaries awaiting the start of proceedings.

One of the youngest musicians present.

Each band played a selection of music to a very appreciative audience but unusually this year there were no speeches or readings as in previous years.

At the end of the ceremony, each band with their supporters left the plaza in different directions to process through the town, to meet up eventually at the Feria ground for further celebrations.

We decided not to follow, instead heading up for tapas in the sun at Bar Valentinos.

El Dia Andalucia

On a dull, overcast day with a slight drizzle, we walked up the hill to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento to attend the celebrations for Andalucia Day, commemorating the day in 1978 when the region of Andalucia was formed.

Pictured above is the Ayuntamiento...all dressed up and nowhere to go!!.

We sheltered in the Pensioners Centre for a while before being told by our friend José that due to the weather the event was being transferred to the Pavilion, next to the Polideportivo (indoor sports centre) at the bottom of town.

Our friend Antonio's house bedecked with the flags of Andalucia in an otherwise deserted Plaza.

After several minutes deliberation, should we, shouldn't we, we decided that in spite of the rain we would stroll down to the Pavilion.

These couple of pictures show the steady rainfall on the walk down town.

Arriving at the Pavilion, I couldn't resist a free glass of Manzanilla, a pale dry sherry, poured in graceful style by this young lady.

Followed by free chorizo sausages and bread...yummy.

Our friend Juani with her daughter Celia. Juani is one of our fellow students at the Centro de Adultos, learning english.
















The marquee quickly filled with people waiting for the first Chirigota (singing group) to appear.

First up were "Los Petardos de la Feria" (the firecrackers of the fair) from Olvera. All of the groups are amateurs but their harmonies are terrific and they sing with such passion.

Next, were another group from Olvera, regrettably name unknown. We must ask the lead singer next time we see him in Mercadona, the local supermarket.

Finally came a group, I think from Cadiz, again name unknown. All three groups were absolutely brilliant and well deserved the applause and cheers of the audience.

Well done Olvera. Just goes to show that a good time can be had regardless of the weather. We're really glad that we made the effort to turn up and support the event.


Linked posts:

Andalucia Day