Chapter 24: Gibraltar and Britain

Anyone visiting or living in Gibraltar can't help notice the many reference to Britain. Names such as Trafalgar Bar, or Edinburgh Estate; shops such as Marks an Spencer or Next; red telephone boxes or post boxes; and the recent visit of Princess Anne.

One of the many British icons in Gibraltar.

To a British person looking in, this can seem like nothing more than a novelty, particularly as Gibraltar has many Spanish traits. Spanish is spoken widely by Gibraltarians, there is a relaxed attitude to timekeeping, an outdoor lifestyle, a dislike of queuing, inefficient bureaucracy. However, I also get the feeling that being British is very important to Gibraltarians.

In some ways Gibraltar feels closer
culturally to it's neighbour than Britain.

There have been 2 referendums on Gibraltarian sovereignty in recent history (in 1967 and 2003). In both referendums Gibraltar overwhelmingly voted to remain British, by over 98%. This sentiment can also be seen in the large number of British flags seen flying in Gibraltar. In much of the UK it's unusual to see the Union Jack flying, except on Government buildings or grand hotels. In Gibraltar they can be seen in the street, in bars, or flying from people's houses. I haven't seen so many Union Jacks on display since I last visited Northern Ireland.

Over 98% of Gibraltar agrees.

A week after I arrived in Gibraltar, was Gibraltar National Day, held annually on 10 September. The day commemorates the 1967 referendum, and is a popular public holiday. A bit like 4 July in America, except that rather than celebrating breaking away from Britain, Gibraltar celebrates holding on. The day itself is a combination of political speeches, celebration of people who have served Gibraltar, and a street party and concert (basically a political party conference, New Years honours list, and the Edinburgh Hogmanay street party, all rolled into one). Not really being a fan of any of these things, I didn't attend, so I can't report on any of the events. However, I did go into town to watch the rugby that day, and it was certainly the busiest I've seen Casemates Square. A tradition of the day is that Gibraltarians wear Red and white, the colours of the Gibraltar flag. Being a holiday weekend at the end of the summer, it's also a good occasion for a family barbeque.

The Gibraltar Flag.

A recent event in Gibraltar, that has clear British roots, was the weekend of Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday. I happened to be in town that weekend, and there were poppy sellers, soldiers on parade, and old soldiers dressed up in red coats. However, unlike in the UK, the events in Gibraltar seemed to be fairly well-behaved.

Armistice Day - commemorating when the guns
fell silent at the end of World War 1.

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