Today the Funeral of Paco de Lucía was held at 1pm at the Nuestra Señora de la Palma in Algeciras, Spain.

A Capilla Ardiente was prepared in the Auditorio Nacional of Madrid where people could pay their respects on Friday 28 February 2014, when Paco de Lucía’s body returned to Spain from Mexico. This chapel was open to the public from 14.00 until 19.00.

The coffin, covered with the flags of Spain, of Andalucia and of Algeciras, was transferred to Algeciras on Friday evening, where a Capilla Ardiente was prepared in the Salón de Plenos of the Casa Consistorial of the Ayuntamiento of Algeciras. This was open for people to pay their respects, from 00.30 on Saturday 1 March 2014 until 12.30.

As the coffin was moved from the Capilla Ardiente to the church of Nuestro Señora de la Palma, the mourners who filled the streets of Algeciras, clapped in the rhythm of a bulerías.

The funeral ceremony in the church of Nuestra Señora de la Palma on Saturday 1 March 2014 began at 13.00. Paco de Lucía is buried in the old cemetery of Algeciras, in the patio San José, near to his parents.

The Andalusian television station Canal Sur has made its two-and-a-half hour broadcast of the funeral and burial available for all to view on YouTube. The Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquín Rodrigo features throughout.

© 2014 Thérèse Wassily Saba