Sí, señor,
it’s yet another bank holiday in Spain. This time it’s an important religious one, Día de la Asunción, commemorating the ascent of the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus Christ, into Heaven.
Background
Whilst some d
ías festivos are optional – it’s normally the comunidad autónoma, or region, that decides – 15 August is obligatory throughout the Spanish territory, ie the mainland; the two island groups, the Balearics and the Canary Islands; and the two enclaves in North Africa, Ceuta and Melilla.
15 August was established as Día de la Asunción by Pope Pius XII in 1950, the year I was born.
This year, 2024, 15 August falls on a Thursday. This means that many workers will take the Friday off as a “puente”, with the agreement of their employers, of course. This makes for a long weekend with many Spanish families going away for 3 or 4 nights, to the coast or to the mountains.
Días festivos nacionales still to come in 2024
12 October Día de la Hispanidad
1 November Todos los Santos (All Saints)
6 December Día de la Constitución
25 December Día de Navidad
© The History Man
Interesting reading:
Spain's forthcoming long 'bridge' holiday weekend - Secret Serrania de Ronda
Photos:
El Faro de Ceuta
SUR in English
Wikipedia
Tags:
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