Every Twelfth of October, Spain's national holiday, I feel that, all things considered, it is not so bad to have been born here and, consequently, be Spanish. I guess if I had been born in Finland I would say the same thing (I have my doubts about North Korea).
To start with and as an advantage, being Spanish is not celebrated, neither today nor ever, beyond a rigged military parade, where four shouts are uttered against the president and we laugh when we see how well the goat parades. It is a day of celebration, something that no Spaniard despises, whether or not there is something to celebrate (the opposite of the heroic opening of shops and official offices in Catalonia on October Twelfth of I don't know what year or a silly day for anyone) .
Spanish patriotism is disbelieving and demands little, it does not even force us to take seriously the anthem - without lyrics, with those of unemployed poets that we have had -, the historical deeds - an oblivion typical of sensible people - or the potato omelette, which Some like it with onion and others without onion.
Unlike other times, living here means freedom, rights and a towel on the sand with a view of the sea. Among these rights, the one that stands out is to be Spanish and, at the same time, appear to be the opposite, without anyone beating up on such a flagrant contradiction.
Naturally, Spain has produced geniuses and talents, which is quite logical if one observes how many realities fit – and have fit – into what we call Spain, although other less relaxed and more self-demanding nationalisms maintain the opposite.
Maybe I'm wrong, but one comes to the conclusion that there are fun, funny and good people here – like in Finland –, who are united by big companies and a destiny: the jackpot draw at Christmas, the League on weekends. and Sunday rice dishes.
Today is the national holiday of Spain, but it is not noticeable on the street nor does anyone waste five minutes to debate what we are, have been or will be. Some insist on calling this holiday Hispanic Heritage Day, an incisive but false refrain since 1987. Today nothing is celebrated, except that it is a holiday, it is sunny and it is very comfortable.
