50 images Created 12 Oct 2012
October 12th: Hispanic day parade
Spain celebrated national Hispanic day today with a military parade without tanks or aircrafts which followed a shorter itinerary than usual due to the crisis. Celebrations in Madrid were attended by King Juan Carlos, who is Spain's head of state and the armed forces.
The arrival of military and political authorities including Premier Mariano Rajoy and government ministers in Plaza Neptuno was not welcomed by protests as in previous years.
But celebrations were marked by a controversy over the Catalonian government's separatist ambitions. The local government did not send representatives to the national celebrations nor did seven of Spain's 17 autonomous communities.
Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia together with the prince and princess of the Asturias and Infanta Elena were applauded by the public gathered along the boulevards of Paseo and Prado.
The arrival of military and political authorities including Premier Mariano Rajoy and government ministers in Plaza Neptuno was not welcomed by protests as in previous years.
But celebrations were marked by a controversy over the Catalonian government's separatist ambitions. The local government did not send representatives to the national celebrations nor did seven of Spain's 17 autonomous communities.
Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia together with the prince and princess of the Asturias and Infanta Elena were applauded by the public gathered along the boulevards of Paseo and Prado.