Every Twelfth of October, Spain's national holiday, I feel that, on closer inspection, it's not so bad to have been born here and, consequently, to be Spanish. I guess if I had been born in Finland, I would say the same (I have my doubts about North Korea).
At the outset and as an advantage, being Spanish is not celebrated today or ever, beyond a normal military parade, where four shouts are uttered against the president of the central government and we laugh seeing how well the goat parades. It is a day of celebration, something that no Spaniard despises, whether or not there is anything to celebrate (the opposite of the heroic opening of shops and official offices in Catalonia on the Twelfth of October in I don't know what year or a crazy day anyone has it).
Spanish patriotism is disbelieving and demands little, it doesn't even force us to take the anthem - without lyrics, with the number of unemployed poets we've had -, the historical feats - forgotten by sane people - or the omelette potatoes, which some like with onions and others without.
Unlike other times, living here means freedom, rights and a towel on the sand overlooking the sea. Among these rights, the one that stands out is being Spanish and, at the same time, appearing to be the opposite, without anyone telling you about such a blatant contradiction.
Naturally, Spain has produced geniuses and talents, which is logical if one observes the realities that fit - and have fit - in what we call Spain, even if other less relaxed and more self-demanding nationalisms maintain the opposite.
Maybe I'm wrong, but one comes to the conclusion that fun, funny and good people live here - just like in Finland -, united by big companies: the big draw at Christmas, the League at the weekends and the rice balls on Sundays.
Today is Spain's national holiday, but it doesn't show on the street and no one wastes five minutes debating what we are, have been or will be. Some insist on calling this holiday Hispanic Day, an incisive but false sneer since 1987. Nothing is celebrated today, unless it's a party, it's sunny and it's very good. Good day!
