Go Spain! or Long live Spain!

What is the difference between Arriba España and Viva España? 2023

The difference between the use of <<Arriba>> and <<Viva>> consists in the meaning that each one of them gives to the phrase.

While <<Viva>> refers to the fact of living, <<Arriba>> refers to the active spirit of a patriot to improve the nation.

What does Æ mean?

The letter Æ is used for the expression ¡ Arriba España!. Its use was initiated by the Spanish Youth Association unit of the Spanish Catholic Movement organization.

The letter Æ is one of the most peculiar and representative of the Spanish language. Although not very common in everyday language, its meaning and history are fascinating.

Today, the letter Æ is often associated with the expression "Arriba España!" which was first used by the Spanish Youth Association unit of the Spanish Catholic Movement organization in the 1930s. This expression became a form of support for the Franco regime and its use became popular during the dictatorship in Spain.

But what does the letter Æ really mean? The Æ is a letter that is known as a ligature, that is, a combination of two letters into one. In this case, Æ is a combination of the letter A and the letter E. In some languages, such as Danish or Norwegian, it is used as a separate letter with its own sound.

The history of Æ dates back to the Middle Ages, when it was used in Latin and other Germanic languages. In Old English, for example, it was used as a stand-alone letter with a sound similar to the letter "a" in "cat." Over time, the letter Æ became less prominent, and today it is rare in most languages.

Despite its relative rarity, the letter Æ has been used in various ways throughout history and in different cultures. In some places, it is used as a symbol to represent creative energy and fertility. It has also been used as a symbol in some religions and spiritual traditions.

In short, the letter Æ is a letter with a rich and varied history. Although its use has diminished over time, it is still an important symbol in some cultures and traditions. In addition, its association with the expression "Arriba España!" makes it an iconic element of the recent history of Spain.

Saying Arriba España is being a Francoist?

There are those who related the expression "Arriba España" with political connotations and specifically with Francoism. But is this so?

And it is that for the vast majority of people, saying "Arriba España" brings to mind Francisco Franco. And it is not wrong to think about it, since the regime took this expression as its official motto . But it is not exclusive to them.

Actually, the first person who coined this expression was Ricardo Macías Picavea, author of the book "El Problema Nacional", which was published the same year of his death, in 1899. Wow! How old was Franco in that year? Well 7 years. So it is clear that the one who coined the expression "Arriba España" for the first time was not the Franco regime.

As José María Germán said in 1939 , we are good for high and great things, therefore, by saying "Arriba España" we summarize our History and express our hope for a great future for our nation, so that Spain can once again be as great as it was. , and is as high as it always was, and hence say "Up". Above, close to the spirit, the ideal, faith, and God. And that is the true meaning of this expression.

Yes, it is true that in the Civil War the arrows and the yoke of the Catholic Monarchs acquired a new meaning, and Viva España was changed to Arriba España.

Origin of Long Live Spain

We have all heard the song "Que Viva España!" more than once, we love it, right?

The famous song that Manolo Escobar released in 1973 is one of the most famous songs, it was actually written by two Belgians, the musician Leo Caerts in 1971 and the lyricist Leo Rozenstraten.

It was originally written in flamenco and performed by Christiane Bervoets, but in Spanish-speaking countries it became popular thanks to Manolo Escobar, and it has survived to this day as almost a hymn, which we hear at parties, demonstrations and all kinds of celebrations, as in sports events.

The song "Long live Spain!" It is undoubtedly one of the most popular songs in Spain and throughout the Spanish-speaking world. Since its release in 1973, it has been considered a kind of anthem for celebrations and sporting events.

Although the song became popular thanks to Manolo Escobar, it was not written by him, but by two Belgians. Musician Leo Caerts and lyricist Leo Rozenstraten originally wrote the Flemish-language song in 1971. It was performed by Christiane Bervoets, and although it enjoyed some popularity in Belgium and the Netherlands, it was not very successful.

It was then that Manolo Escobar heard the song on a tour of Europe and decided to record a version in Spanish, which was a resounding success in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries. The song became an instant classic and has since been covered by many other artists.

In the lyrics of the song, the joy and optimism of Spanish life are celebrated, the typical dishes, wine and parties are mentioned. It is a song full of energy that invites you to party and enjoy life.

Although some have criticized the song for being too simplistic or even for having a certain air of Francoism due to the use of the expression "Arriba España!", the truth is that it has become a true cultural icon of Spain and is one of the most popular songs at any Spanish party.

So, long live Spain and its music! And let it continue to play "Que Viva España!" at all celebrations and sporting events.

The National Problem

Macías Picavea, also known as Ramiro de Maeztu, was a prominent Spanish writer and journalist of the 20th century. In his work "The National Problem", published in 1911, he raised the need for a regeneration of the country through the elimination of political parties and the suppression of the Cortes.

In his opinion, political parties did not represent the interests of the people, but rather those of their own elites and those of economic power groups. In addition, he considered that the division of society into political parties generated a constant struggle and a lack of unity that weakened the country compared to other States.

As for the Cortes, Macías Picavea saw them as a nest of corruption and private interests, which prevented making the right decisions for the benefit of the country. For this reason, he proposed the elimination of this legislative body and its replacement by a National Council of illustrious citizens, which would be made up of the most prominent representatives of civil society.

Macías Picavea was a patriot and staunch defender of Spain. In fact, in his writings he used to use the expression "Sursum Corda! Up Spain!" as a call to unity and patriotic spirit. However, some people misinterpret its message, such as communists, who associate these words with fascist ideology.

It is important to note that Macías Picavea had no relationship with fascism, and that his call for unity and patriotism has nothing to do with extremist nationalism. On the contrary, he saw the union of the Spaniards as the only way to overcome the problems that affected the country and to achieve a better future for all.

In short, the figure of Macías Picavea is one of the most important in Spanish literature and thought of the 20th century. His work "El Problema Nacional" continues to be a reference for those seeking solutions to the problems that afflict Spanish society. And his call for unity and patriotism is more necessary than ever at a time when polarization and confrontation seem to be the norm.

Thus, Macías Picavea, while shouting 'Sursum Corda! Go Spain!' , in his work 'The National Problem' He proposes the elimination of political parties and the suppression of the Cortes, which he saw as a nest, a wasp's nest full of pus, and a source of gangrene. But the ignorance of the communists is so great that they break out in a cold sweat when they hear "Arriba España!"