Day Of The Canary Islands
The Day of the Canary Islands, also known as Día de Canarias, is a public holiday observed annually on the Canary Islands, Spain, on May 30th. This holiday celebrates the culture of the islands and commemorates the first session of the Canary Islands’ Parliament on May 30, 1983.
Spain (Local holiday)Since this is a public holiday on the islands, many schools, businesses, and government buildings will be closed on this day. It is a day when people attend a variety of parties, sporting events, and church services. If this day falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, businesses may also be closed on the preceding Monday or the following Friday.
The History of the Day of the Canary Islands
On August 10, 1982, the Statute of Autonomy was published in the Canary Islands. The purpose of this law was to recognize the right of the Canary Islands to self-govern within the Kingdom of Spain and under the Spanish Constitution.
This resulted in the first meeting of the newly formed Canary Islands Parliament, which convened for the first time on May 30, 1983. This holiday commemorates that event.
Fun Facts About the Canary Islands
Below are some fun and interesting facts about the Canary Islands.
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria share the status as the capital of the archipelago.
- The name of this archipelago is derived from the Latin term ‘Insula Canaria,’ meaning ‘Island of the Dogs.’
- The ‘dogs’ referenced by the name of these islands refer to monk seals, which in Latin are known as ‘sea dogs.’
Observing the Day of the Canary Islands
The seven islands of the Canary Islands come together to celebrate their rich culture on this day. This holiday is celebrated with food, music, and the Lucha Canaria, or Canarian Wrestling. People also use the hashtag #DayOfTheCanaryIslands on their social media accounts to spread the word about this holiday online.
Spain (Local holiday)
