Heavy rain disrupts Andalucía Day celebrations along the Costa del Sol

Due to the atrocious weather that was forecast to hit Andalucía on Wednesday, some town halls along the Costa del Sol were forced to cancel, or relocate events organised to celebrate Andalucía Day. Plans to commemorate the 1980 referendum - in which the Andalusian electorate voted for the statute that made Andalucía an autonomous community of Spain- had to be rapidly changed, although the rain did hold off long enough for some towns to proceed with their events.

Continuous rain in Coín forced the town hall to abandon their traditional celebration in the Plaza de Alameda, while in Benalmádena Pueblo, the decision was taken to move the planned open air event to the cultural centre in Arroyo de la Miel.

The festivities in Mijas went ahead and people enjoyed a typical Andalusian breakfast supplied by the Tamisa Asociación de Vecinos, while various activities took place in the Virgen de la Peña pensioners centre.

Fuengirola also managed to hoist the Andalusian flag and enjoy the Himno de Andalucía, which was performed by local flamenco singer, Virgina Gámez.

Torremolinos was forced to cancel the artisan street market that was to be held in the Plaza Costa del Sol, although the rain stayed away long enough for around 500 people to enjoy a programme of flamenco music and dance. The town also proceeded with the inauguration of a new tiled plaque inscribed with the words of the Hymn of Andalucía. The town paid tribute to Blas Infante, the locally-born writer and politician, affectionately known as 'The Father of Andalucía', with a floral wreath-laying ceremony outside the town hall at midday. This was followed by the unveiling of the plaque, which is situated in the Plaza de Andalucía.

Blas Infante wrote the lyrics to the song, which was adopted as the official hymn of the region in 1981. The unveiling was attended by the mayor of Torremolinos and various members of the town hall.

The afternoon's activities in the town were abandoned due to the rain.