Today is the Día de Andalucía, which has been celebrated on 28 February each year since 1980, when Andalucians voted in a referendum to have Andalusia made an autonomous community in Spain.

It is the day of awarding the Hijo Predilecto de Andalucía (Favourite son of Andalusia). The singer Miguel Ríos was named Hijo Predilecto de Andalucía this year. 

There were also a number of Medallas de Andalucía awards presented, including one to the flamenco singer Estrella Morente Carbonell.

Here, at the end of the award ceremony in the Teatro de la Maestranza of Seville, Estrella Morente sings the traditional hymn of Andalusia, accompanied by the guitarist Miguel Ángel Cortés, she sings it with a special reference to Paco de Lucía.

© 2014 Thérèse Wassily Saba