A grand parade and fireworks display in honor of the Fiesta Nacional de España in Madrid

From October 4 to 13, the Community of Madrid is hosting events in honor of Fiesta Nacional de España (Fiesta Nacional de España), coinciding with Hispanic Heritage Day (Día de la Hispanidad). Last Friday was the official opening of the fiesta, followed by two days of free concerts and the Ibero-American Circus Festival.

As of Monday, October 7, the celebration of Hispanidad 2024 in Madrid continues. Until October 13, the city hosts Mexican Film Week, and numerous concerts are scheduled for October 10-13. But the most interesting events are expected on Saturday, October 12.

October 12 is a very important date for Spaniards. On this day they celebrate the National Day of Spain, Hispanic Heritage Day and the arrival of Christopher Columbus in America. The most important event of the holiday is the parade of the Armed Forces. More than 4,000 soldiers from various bodies and units will take part, including the Royal Guard, the National Police and the Air and Space Army. The parade will begin at 11:00 am with the arrival of Their Majesties at Plaza de Neptuno, where a grandstand will be set up. 

The parade will follow the same route as last year, from Glorieta del Emperador Carlos V to Plaza de Colón, crossing Paseo del Prado and Paseo de Recoletos. Along the way, spectators and participants will be able to see an exhibition of 166 military vehicles.

One of the most solemn moments of the parade will be the tribute to the fallen. Paratroopers of the Acrobatic Patrol of the Air and Space Army (Patrulla Acrobática del Ejército del Aire y del Espacio, PAPEA) will make a jump with the flag in honor of the 10th anniversary of the proclamation of His Majesty King Philip VI. This will be followed by the raising of the National Flag and then the Spanish Air Force Patrulla Águila aerobatic team will fly over the city. The parade will end with the lowering of the National Flag after the farewell of Their Majesties.

There will be free concerts in Madrid until late in the evening. Their schedule is available here. And at 9:30 pm, a grand pyromusical show will begin at Plaza de Cibeles. Pirotecnia Vulcano is responsible for the fireworks, and composer Luis Miguel Cobo has prepared an exquisite selection of musical themes reflecting the cultural diversity of Spanish-speaking countries. The show, which will last about 15 minutes, is free for everyone to watch.

 

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Photo by Ciudadanos Cs from flickr.com