constitution
TRANSCRIPT
Comenius Multilateral school Partnerships 2010 - 2012
European Youth – The Citizens of Tomorrow
St. Luke's High School - Barrhead - UK
Apian-Gymnasium Ingolstadt - Ingolstadt - DE
Colegio La Immaculada "Misioneras Seculares de Jesus Obrero
– Valladolid - ES
Scuola Secondaria di 1°grado „Padre Pio‟ – Altamura – IT
Hello everybody!
We are the students of 3^ H – Padre Pio School – Altamura.
We are working together with Scottish, Spanish
and German students on a Comenius project
about European Citizenship.
We already know that to be European citizen means to have respect for each
country‟s culture, traditions, history and religions, which form the basis of the society.
We are allcitizens of our country and in spite of all differencies,
we are all European citizens.
We want to preserve our country individual cultural heritage
without losing our roots.
By this work we want to compare our different Constitution,
National Anthems and flags.
A short history of our Constitutions, National Anthems, Flags.
On March 17, 2011 is the day of the 150th anniversary of
the unification of Italy.
We want to celebrate this special event with a short history
of our Constitution.
This logo has three Italian flags representing the 50 º, 100 º and 150 º
anniversary of the unification of Italy. The symbol is intended to recall
the courage, dreams and joy that characterized the process unit,
was designed and inspired by the flight of birds, the swollen sails and
parties.
Il simbolo ha lo scopo di ricordare il coraggio, il sogno e la gioia che
caratterizzarono il processo unitario, ed è stato disegnato ispirandosi
al volo degli uccelli, a delle vele gonfie e alle feste.
Il 17 marzo 2011 è il giorno del 150à l‟anniversario dell‟unità d‟Italia.
Vogliamo celebrare questo evento con una breve storia della nostra costituzione.
Anniversary of the unification of Italy
emblem of the Italian Republic
The Constitution of the Italian Republic was enacted by the Constituent Assembly
on 22 December 1947.
The text was promulgated in the extraordinary edition of Gazzetta Ufficiale No.
298 on 27 December 1947.
The Italian Constitution
Original copy of the
Gazzetta Ufficiale -
27 dec. 1947.
The Italian Constitution
The head of state, Enrico De Nicola, the president of the
Constituent Assembly Umberto Terracini and the president
of Consiglio Alcide De Gasperi signing the Constitution - 22
december,1947
The Constituent Assembly was elected by universal suffrage on 2 June 1946, at the same time as a
referendum on the abolition of the monarchy. The Constitution came into force on 1 January 1948,
one century after the Statuto Albertino had been enacted.
The Statuto Albertino remained in force after the unificazione del Regno d‟Italia and Benito
Mussolini's March on Rome in 1922, but it had become devoid of substantive value.
L'Assemblea Costituente, formata da 75 deputati,
si assume il compito di preparare una nuova costituzione
in sostituzione dello Statuto Albertino, concesso
il 4 marzo 1848 da Carlo Alberto,re del Piemonte e Sardegna, ai
suoi sudditi.
Lo Statuto era una Costituzione flessibile, poiché
modificabile con legge ordinaria. Il re controllava tutti i
poteri dello Stato. L‟attenuarsi dei poteri del re portò
alla monarchia parlamentare.
Dopo il periodo totalitaristico di Benito Mussolini,
legato alla seconda guerra mondiale, e la liberazione
nazionale del nazi-fascismo del 2 giogno 1946,
si svolse un referendum per affidare al popolo la scelta
tra monarchia e repubblica.
Per la prima volta gli italiani votarno a suffragio universale.
King Carlo Alberto signing
the Statuto Albertino - 4 March, 1848
the Statuto Albertino Il presidente dell‟Assemblea costituente Umberto Terracini, il presidente della
repubblica Enrico De Nicola, e il presidente del Consiglio Alcide De Gasperi
firmarono la costituzione il 22 dicembre 1947.
The Constitution is composed of 139 articles
and arranged into three main parts:
Principi Fondamentali, the Fundamental Principles (articles 1–12);
Part I concerning the Diritti e Doveri dei Cittadini, or Rights
and Duties of Citizens (articles 13–54); and Part II the Ordinamento
della Repubblica, or Organisation of the Republic (articles 55–139);
followed by 18 Disposizioni transitorie e finali, the Transitory and
Final Provisions.La Costituzione Italiana è composta da 139 articoli ed è divisa
in due parti, precedute dai Principi fondamentali, che vanno
dall‟art.1 all‟art. 12
La Parte Prima si occupa dei diritti e dei doveri dei cittadini.
La Parte Seconda si occupa dell‟ordinamento della Repubblica.
Concludono il testo costituzionale le disposizioni transitorie e
finali.
Fundamental Principles
Rights and Duties of Citizens
Organisation of the Republic
Transitory and Final Provisions
The Constitution of the Italian Republic
It is difficult to modify the Constitution; to do so (under Article 138) requires two readings in each House
of Parliament and, if the second of these are carried with a simple majority (i.e. 50%+1) rather than two-
thirds, a referendum.Under Article 139, the republican form of government cannot be reviewed
RIGIDITA‟
Una delle caratteristiche più importanti della nostra Costituzione è la sua RIGIDITA‟:
le sue disposizioni, infatti, non possono essere modificate con le leggi ordinarie. Art . 138-139
Art 1
Italy is a Democratic Republic, based on labour.
Sovereignty belongs to the people who exercise it in the forms
and limits of the Constitution.
Article 1 sets out in a solemn way the result of the referendum on June 2, 1946: Italy is a republic.
Access to republic is not dynastic inheritance and belonging, but by election and limited to a time
fixed by law.
The Italian state is not a dynastic family wealth that can be transmitted through heredity but it is
instead a “res publica”, just one thing of all. The citizens are not subjects and should be allowed to
exercise their sovereignty.
For this article 1 establishes the democratic character of the republic: from the Greek: demos, people,
and kratie, power.
It means that the sovereignty, the power to command and to make policy choices that affect the
community, belongs to the people.
With the right to vote (Art. 48), any citizen chooses its own representatives to which the actual care
of public affairs is delegated.
The nation is founded on work. All citizens must contributed to the welfare and common progress.
L‟articolo 1 fissa in modo solenne il risultato del referendum del 2 giugno 1946: l „Italia è una
repubblica.
L‟accesso ad esse non avviene per ereditarietà e per appartenenza dinastica, ma, appunto, per
elezione, e la durata in carica non può mai essere vitalizia ma limitata ad un tempo fissato dalla
legge.
Lo Stato non è un patrimonio familiare e dinastico che si possa trasmettere ereditariamente come
un bene qualsiasi, ma è invece una "res publica", appunto una cosa di tutti.
I cittadini non sono sudditi e devono essere messi in condizione di esercitare la loro sovranità.
Per questo l‟articolo 1 stabilisce il carattere democratico della repubblica: dal greco: demos,
popolo e kratìa, potere, si intende che la sovranità, cioè il potere di comandare e di compiere le
scelte politiche che riguardano la comunità, appartiene al popolo.
Con il diritto di voto (art. 48 Cost.), ogni cittadino sceglie i propri rappresentanti a cui viene
delegata non la sovranità, ma la cura effettiva degli affari pubblici.
La Nazione è fondata sul lavoro. Tutti i cittadini devono contribuire con il loro lavoro , al
benessere e al progresso comune.
Art 1
L‟Italia è una Repubblica democratica, fondata sul lavoro.
La sovranità appartiene al popolo, che la esercita nelle forme
e nei limiti della costituzione.
The Italian Constitution is the fundamental compact which binds the citizen to the
society and its institutions. It was born out of the values of democracy, antifascism,
refusal of any totalitarianism which moved the people against the dictatorship all over
Europe.
The principles it expresses are the point of reference for the daily life of every citizen.
The Government decided to translate and to print the fundamental principles and the
first part of the constitution in nine different languages in order to allow those people
who want to live in our country to know the contents and the values of our laws, to
become true citizens.
Our being citizens, be we born in Italy or not, results from our deep identification with
all rights and duties contained in the Republic charter. Its carrying values adhere to the
Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations, which is at the basis of
the pacific cohabitation between peoples.
This is the only way to be involved in the life of our country and to consolidate
its freedom, democracy, social justice, non-violence: the four cardinal points of
the Italian Republic.
The Constitution of the Italian Republic
La Costituzione italiana è il patto fondamentale che lega I cittadini alla società e alle sue
istituzioni. E 'nata dai valori della democrazia, dell‟antifascismo, rifiuto di ogni
totalitarismo, contro la dittatura in tutta Europa.
I principi che essa esprime sono il punto di riferimento per la vita quotidiana di ogni
cittadino.
Il governo ha deciso di tradurre e stampare i Principi Fondamentali e la prima parte della
Costituzione, in nove lingue diverse per permettere a quelle persone che vogliono vivere nel
nostro paese, di conoscere i contenuti e i valori delle nostre leggi e diventare veri cittadini.
La nostra Costituzione aderisce alla Dichiarazione dei Diritti dell‟Uomo, adottata dalle
Nazioni Unite, che è alla base della convivenza pacifica tra popoli. Questo è l‟unico modo
per essere coinvolti
nella vita del nostro paese e per consolidare la sua libertà, democrazia,giustizia sociale, la
non violenza: punti fondamentali della Repubblica italiana.
The Constitution of the Italian Republic
Fratelli d'Italia
L'Italia s'è desta,
Dell'elmo di Scipio
S'è cinta la testa.
Dov'è la Vittoria?
Le porga la chioma,
Ché schiava di Roma
Iddio la creò.
Stringiamoci a coorte
Siam pronti alla morte
L'Italia chiamò, yes!
Noi siamo da secoli
Calpesti, derisi,
Perché non siam popolo,
Perché siam divisi.
Raccolgaci un'unica
Bandiera, una speme:
Di fonderci insieme
Già l'ora suonò.
Stringiamoci a coorte
Siam pronti alla morte
L'Italia chiamò., yes!
Uniamoci, amiamoci,
l'Unione, e l'amore
Rivelano ai Popoli
Le vie del Signore;
Giuriamo far libero
Il suolo natìo:
Uniti per Dio
Chi vincer ci può?
Stringiamoci a coorte
Siam pronti alla morte
L'Italia chiamò., si!
The Italian National Anthem: Il Canto degli Italiani
Dall'Alpi a Sicilia
Dovunque è Legnano,
Ogn'uom di Ferruccio
Ha il core, ha la mano,
I bimbi d'Italia
Si chiaman Balilla,
Il suon d'ogni squilla
I Vespri suonò.
Stringiamoci a coorte
Siam pronti alla morte
L'Italia chiamò.
Son giunchi che piegano
Le spade vendute:
Già l'Aquila d'Austria
Le penne ha perdute.
Il sangue d'Italia,
Il sangue Polacco,
Bevé, col cosacco,
Ma il cor le bruciò.
Stringiamoci a coorte
Siam pronti alla morte
L'Italia chiamò, si!
Brothers of Italy,
Italy has woken,
Bound Scipio „s helmet
Upon her head.
Where is Victory?
Let her bow down,
For God created her
Slave of Rome.
Let us join in a cohort,
We are ready to die,
Italy has called, yes!
We were for centuries
downtrodden, derided,
because we are not one people,
because we are divided.
Let one flag, one hope
gather us all.
The hour has struck
for us to unite.
Let us join in a cohort,
We are ready to die,
Italy has called, yes!
Let us unite, let us love one
another,
For union and love
Reveal to the people
The ways of the Lord.
Let us swear to set free
The land of our birth:
United, for God,
Who can overcome us?
Let us join in a cohort,
We are ready to die,
Italy has called, yes.
From the Alpes to Sicily.
Legnano
is everywhere;
Every man has the heart
and hand of Ferruccio
The children of Italy
Are all called Balilla:
Every trumpet blast
sounds the Vesperi.
Let us join in a cohort,
We are ready to die,
Italy has called us.
Mercenary swords,
they're feeble reeds.
The Austrian eagle
Has already lost its plumes.
The blood of Italy
and the Polish blood
It drank, along with the Cossack.
But it burned its heart.
Let us join in a cohort,
We are ready to die,
Italy has called, yes!
The Italian National Anthem: Il Canto degli Italiani
IlCanto degli Italiani (The Song of the Italians) is the Italian national anthem.
It is best known among Italians as Inno di Mameli (Mameli's Hymn), after the author of the lyrics,
or Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy), from its opening line.
The words were written in the autumn of 1847 in Genoa,
by the then 20-year-old student and patriot Goffredo Mameli,
in a climate of popular struggle for unification and independence
of Italy which foreshadowed the war against Austria.
Two months later, they were set to music in Turin by another Genoese, Michele
Novaro. The hymn enjoyed widespread popularity throughout the period of the
Risorgimento and in the following decades.
Goffredo Mameli,
Michele Novaro
Il Canto degli Italiani è l'inno nazionale italiano.
E 'meglio conosciuta tra gli italiani come Inno di Mameli (dal nome dell‟autore dei testi,o
Fratelli d'Italia , dalla sua linea di apertura.
Le parole sono state scritte nell'autunno del 1847 a Genova,
da Goffredo Mameli (20), studente e ptriota,in un clima di lotta popolare per
l'unificazione e l'indipendenza d'Italia, che prefigurava la guerra contro l'Austria.
Due mesi dopo, sono stati messi in musica a Torino da un altro
genovese, Michele Novaro. L'inno ha goduto di popolarità diffusa per
tutto il periodo del Risorgimento e nei decenni successivi.
In 1946 Italy became a republic, and on October 12, 1946, Il Canto degli Italiani was provisionally
chosen as the country's new national anthem. This choice was made official in law only on November
17, 2005, almost 60 years later.
Giuseppe Verdi, in his Inno delle Nazioni (Hymn of the Nations), composed for the London
international Exhibition of 1862, chose Il Canto degli Italiani – and not the Marcia Reale – to
represent Italy, putting it beside God save the Queen and the Marseillase.
After unification (1861) the adopted national anthem was the Marcia
reale ,the Royal March (or Fanfara Reale), official hymn of the royal
house of Savoy composed in 1831 to order of Carlo Alberto di Savoia. The
Marcia Reale remained the Italian national anthem until Italy became a
republic in 1946.
Dopo l'unificazione (1861) l'inno nazionale è stata adottata la Marcia Reale, la Marcia Reale (o Fanfara Reale),inno ufficiale della
casa reale di Savoia, composto nel 1831 per ordine di Carlo Alberto di Savoia.
La Marcia Reale è rimasto l'inno nazionale italiano fino a quando l'Italia divenne una repubblica nel 1946.
Giuseppe Verdi, nel suo Inno delle Nazioni (Inno delle Nazioni), composta per il London InternationalEsposizione del 1862, ha scelto
Il Canto degli Italiani - e non la Marcia Reale - a rappresentare l'Italia,mettendolo accanto God Save the Queen e alla Marsigliese.
Nel 1946 l'Italia divenne una repubblica, e il 12 ottobre 1946, Il Canto degli Italiani è stato provvisoriamente scelto come
nuovo inno nazionale del paese. Questa scelta è stata ufficializzata dalla legge solo il 17 novembre 2005, quasi 60 anni dopo.
The Italian National Anthem: Il Canto degli Italiani
The Tricolore: the Italian flag
The flag of the Republic is the Italian tricolour: green, white, and red,
in three vertical bands of equal dimensions.
( art. 12 of the Constitution – 1947)
It was adopted in its current form on 1 January 1948, with the promulgation of the republican
constitution and the end of the reign of the House of Savoy.
Article 292 "Insult of or damage to the flag or other emblem
of the state" of the criminal code protects the Italian flag.
On January 7 of each year the Italian flag is the protagonist
of the National Day flag.
La bandiera italiana è il Tricolore italiano: Verde, bianco e rosso, a tre bande verticali di eguali dimensioni.
( art. 12 della Costituzione - 1947)
L'articolo 292 «Vilipendio o danneggiamento alla bandiera o ad altro emblema
dello Stato» del Codice Penale tutela la bandiera italiana. Il 7 gennaio di
ogni anno la bandiera italiana è protagonista della giornata nazionale della bandiera.
Fu adottata nella forma attuale il 1° gennaio 1948
in seguito alla promulgazione l della costituzione
e la fine del regno dei Savoia.
La bandiera sventola sulla sommità
del Palazzo del Quirinale
The first to come up with the tricolor flag two students from the University of Bologna,
Luigi Zamboni (Bologna), and John Baptist De Rolandis (Asti), they were patriots and joined in the fall
of 1794 white and red of their cities to green, color of hope in an Italy united and prosperous.
These three colors soon became symbols of a rebellion that animated and united by now all of Italy.
The red and then became a symbol of the blood of the fallen.
I primi a ideare la bandiera tricolore furono due patrioti e studenti dell'Università di Bologna, Luigi Zamboni (Bologna), e
Giovanni Battista de rolandis (Asti), che nell'autunno del 1794 unirono il bianco e il rosso delle rispettive città al verde, colore
della speranza in un'Italia unita e prospera.
Questi tre colori divennero presto i simboli di una rivolta che animava e univa ormai tutta l'Italia: il Risorgimento. Il rosso
divenne quindi anche simbolo del sangue dei caduti.
Bandiera cispadana - 1797
The first entity to use the Italian tricolour was the Cispadane republic in
1797, after Napoleon‟s victorious army crossed Italy . During this time
many small republics of Jacobin inspiration supplanted the ancient
absolute states and almost all, with variants of colour,
Used flags characterised by three bands of equal size, clearly inspired by
the French model of 1790.
Il primo ente ad utilizzare il tricolore italiano fu la Repubblica Cispadana nel 1797, dopo esercito vittorioso di Napoleone
attraversato l'Italia. Durante questo periodo molte piccole repubbliche di ispirazione giacobina soppiantato gli antichi Stati assoluti
e quasi tutte, con varianti di colore, bandiere caratterizzate utilizzato da tre bande di uguali dimensioni, chiaramente ispirate al
modello francese del 1790.
The Tricolore: the Italian flag
The flag was maintained until 1802, when it was renamed the
Napoleonic Italian Republic, and a new flag was adopted, this time
with a red field carrying a green square within a white lozenge.
The Tricolore: the Italian flag
Repubblica italiana- 1802
Between 1848 and 1861, a sequence of events led to the independence and unification of Italy; this
period of Italian history is known as the Risorgimento, or resurgence. During this period, the tricolore
became the symbol which united all the efforts of the Italian people towards freedom and independence
Tra il 1848 e il 1861, una sequenza di eventi ha portato l'indipendenza e l'unità d'Italia. Questo periodo della
storia italiana è conosciuta come il Risorgimento,. Durante questo periodo, il tricolore è diventato il simbolo che unisce
tutti gli sforzi del popolo italiano verso la libertà e l'indipendenza.
The Italian tricolour, defaced with the Savoyan coat of arms, was first adopted as
war flag by the Kingdom of sardinia–Piedmont army in 1848. In his Proclamation
to the Lombard-Venetian people, Charles Albert said "... In order to show more clearly
with exterior signs the commitment to Italian unification, We want that Our troops ...
have the Savoy shield placed on the Italian tricolour flag."
Il tricolore italiano, deturpato dallo stemma dei Savoia fu adottato come bandiera di guerra dall‟esercito del Regno di
Sardegna-Piemonte nel 1848. Nel suo proclama al popolo del Lombardo-Veneto Carlo Alberto disse: "... al fine di
mostrare più chiaramente con segni esteriori l'impegno per l'unificazione italiana, vogliamo che le nostre truppe ... abbiano
lo scudo sabaudo sulla bandiera tricolore italiano.
Bandiera del Regno Italiano
1861
La bandiera è stata mantenuta fino al 1802, quando fu rinominata la Repubblica
italiana napoleonica, e una nuova bandiera fu adottata, questa volta con un campo
rosso e un quadrato verde all'interno di una losanga bianca.
Il Presidente della Repubblica è il capo dello Stato e rappresenta
l‟unità del nostro paese. E‟ eletto, a scrutinio segreto, dal Parlamento
in seduta comune. Resta in carica sette anni.
Giorgio Napolitano è l‟attuale Presidente dell‟Italia. E‟ stato eletto il 10 Maggio 2006 .
Il suo mandato scadrà il 15 Maggio del 2013.
E‟ l‟undicesimo presidente e risiede a Roma presso il Palazzo del Quirinale.
Giorgio Napolitano , (born 29 June 1925)
is the 11th and current President of the Italian Republic.
His election took place on 10 May 2006, and his term
started with the swearing-in ceremony held on 15 May
2006. He lives in Rome at Palazzo del Quirinale.
The President of the Italian Republic is the the head of state of Italy
and, as such, is intended to represent national unity and guarantee
that Italian politics comply with the Constitution.
The president's term of office lasts for seven years. He is elected by
Parliament in joint session of the Chamber and the Senate.
The election must be held in the form of secret ballot.
Palazzo del quirinale
The President of Italy Italian presidential standard
Created – 31 October 1978Ratified – 6 December 1978
Location – Congress of DeputiesAuthors – “Fathers of the Constitution”
Signatories – Juan Carlos IThe Spanish Constitution is the fundamental law of the
Kingdom of Spain
Copy of the Spanish
Constitution displayed at the Palace of the
Cortes
It was enacted on foot of the 1978 referendum, as part of the Spanish transition to democracy
It was preceded by many previous constitutions of Spain
Origins
The constitutional history of Spain dates back to the
Constitution of 1812
After the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975, a general election in 1977 convened the Constituent Cortes
(the Spanish Parliament, in its capacity as a constitutional assembly)
for the purpose of drafting and approving the constitution
A seven-member panel was selected among the elected members of the Cortes to work
on a draft of the Constitution to be submitted to the body. These came to be known, as the media put it, as the padres
de la Constitución or "fathers of the Constitution"
These seven people were chosen to represent the wide (and often, deeply divided) political spectrum within the Spanish Parliament, while the leading role was given to then ruling party and now defunct Unión de Centro Democrático
(UCD).
The constitution was approved by the Cortes Generales on October 31, 1978, and by the Spanish
people in a referendum on December 6, 1978. 88% of voters
supported the new constitution
Finally, it was promulgated by King Juan Carlos on
December 27. It came into effect on December 29, the day it was published in the
Official Gazette
Constitution Day on December 6 has since been a national holiday in Spain
Section 1
1. Spain is hereby established as asocial and democratic State,subject to the rule of law,which advocates freedom,justice, equality and politicalpluralism as highest values ofits legal system .
2. National sovereignty belongs tothe Spanish people, from whomall state powers emanate.
3. The political form of theSpanish State is theParliamentary Monarchy
Section 2
The Constitution is based on theindissoluble unity of the SpanishNation, the common andindivisible homeland of allSpaniards; it recognizes andguarantees the right to self-government of the nationalitiesand regions of which it iscomposed and the solidarityamong them all
Section 3
1. Castilian is the official Spanishlanguage of the State.AllSpaniards have the duty to knowit and the right to use it.
2. The other Spanish languages shallalso be official in the respectiveSelf-governing Communities inaccordance with their Statutes.
3. The richness of the differentlinguistic modalities of Spain is acultural heritage which shall bespecially respected and protected
Monument to the Constitution in Madrid
The Constitution has been reformed once (Article 13.2, Title I) to extend to citizens of the
European Union the right to active and passive suffrage (both voting rights and eligibility as
candidates) in local elections
Section 4
1. The flag of Spain consists ofthree horizontal stripes: red,yellow and red, the yellowstrip being twice as wide aseach red stripe.
2. The Statutes may recognizeflags and ensigns of theSelf-governing Communities.These shall be used togetherwith the flag of Spain ontheir public buildings and intheir official ceremonies
The origin of the current flag of Spain is the naval ensign of 1783, Pabellón de la Marina de Guerraunder Charles III of
SpainThroughout the 18th, 19th,
and 20th centuries, the color scheme of the flag remained intact, with the exception of the Second
Republic period (1931–1939); the only changes centered
on the coat of arms
Coat of arms of Spain
The Spanish coat of arms symbolizes the country, the old kingdoms of Spain, the Royal
Crown, the Imperial Crown, the Constitutional monarchy, the
Spanish national motto: Plus Ultra, and the Pillars of Hercules with the Spanish geographic situation.
It was adopted on October 5, 1981
The Spanish coat of arms is composed of six other arms and some additional heraldic symbols
Kingdom of Castile
Kingdom of Leon
Kingdom of Aragon
Kingdom of Navarra
Kingdom of Granada
Pillars of Hercules
House of Bourbon
(Anjou Branch)
Imperial crown
(Holy Roman Empire)
Spanish Royal crown
(Heraldic crown)
The national anthem of
Spain
The anthem, one of the oldest in the world, was composed by Frederick the
Great of Prussia
The melody was first printed in a document dated 1761 and entitled Libro de Ordenanza de los toques militares de la Infantería Española (The Spanish Infantry's Book of
Military Bugle and Fife Calls).
Though the Marcha Realhas no lyrics, words have been written and used for
it in the past. One version was used
during Alfonso XIII's reign and another during General
Franco’s dictatorship; however, none of them was
ever made official.
The national anthem has been played without words since 1978, when the lyrics that had been approved by General Francisco Franco were
abandoned
After witnessing a renditionof “You’ll Never WalkAlone" at Anfield in 2007,the President of theSpanish Olympic Committee,Alejandro Blanco, said hefelt inspired to seek lyricsto La Marcha Real aheadof Madrid’s bid to host the2016 Olympic Games.
Military bands of the Spanish Armed Forces and the Cuerpo Nacional de Policia and civilian Marching
bands and Concert bands play an A-major version of the anthem adapted for wind bands
Being the National Anthem, and in honor of the King and
Queen of Spain, it's a common practice for all to stand once it is played.Even though it is also
played in church events, respect for the King and
Queen (and the Royal Family as well) is required by everyone in attendance
The constitution of the United Kingdom is the set of laws and principles under
which the United Kingdom is governed.
Unlike many other nations, the UK has no single core constitutional document.
In this sense, it is said not to have a written constitution, but much of the British
constitution is embodied in written documents, within statutes, court judgments,
and treaties. The constitution has other unwritten sources, including parliamentary
constitutional conventions and royal prerogatives.
Since the English Civil War, the bedrock of the British constitution has traditionally
been the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty, according to which the statutes
passed by Parliament are the UK's supreme and final source of law. It follows that
Parliament can change the constitution simply by passing new Acts of Parliament.
There is some debate about whether this principle remains entirely valid today, in
part due to the UK's European Union membership.
In the 19th century, A.V. Dicey, a highly influential constitutional scholar and lawyer,
wrote of the twin pillars of the British constitution in his classic work An Introduction to
the Study of the Law of the Constitution (1885). These pillars are, first, the principle of
Parliamentary sovereignty; and, second, the rule of law. The former means that
Parliament is the supreme law-making body: its Acts are the highest source of English
Law (the concept of supreme parliamentary sovereignty is not recognised by Scots
Law, as repeated in MacCormick v Lord Advocate). The latter is the idea that all laws
and government actions conform to certain fundamental and unchanging principles.
These fundamental principles include equal application of the law: everyone is equal
before the law and no person is above the law, including those in power. Another is no
person is punishable in body or goods without a breach of the law: unless there is a
clear breach of the law, persons are free to do anything, unless the law says
otherwise; thus, no punishment without a clear breach of the law.
According to the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty, Parliament may pass any
legislation that it wishes. By contrast, in countries with a codified constitution, the
legislature is normally forbidden from passing laws that contradict that constitution:
constitutional amendments require a special procedure that is more arduous than that
for regular laws.
There are many Acts of Parliament which themselves have constitutional significance.
For example, Parliament has the power to determine the length of its own term. By the
Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949, the default length of a term of parliament is five years,
but this may be extended with the consent of both Houses. This power was most
recently used during World War II to extend the lifetime of the 1935 parliament in
annual increments up to 1945. However, the Sovereign retains the power to dissolve
parliament at any time on the advice of the Prime Minister. Parliament also has the
power to change the makeup of its constituent houses and the relation between them.
Examples include the House of Lords Act 1999 which changed the membership of the
House of Lords, the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949 which altered the relationship
between the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and the Reform Act 1832
which made major changes to the system used to elect members of the House of
Commons.
The power extended to Parliament includes the power to determine the line of
succession to the British throne. This power was most recently used to pass His
Majesty's Declaration of Abdication Act 1936, which gave constitutional effect to the
abdication of Edward VIII and removed any of his putative descendants from the
succession. Parliament also has the power to remove or regulate the executive
powers of the Sovereign.
Parliament consists of the Sovereign, the House of Commons and the House of
Lords. The House of Commons consists of 650 members elected by the people
from single-member constituencies under a first past the post system. Following the
passage of the House of Lords Act 1999, the House of Lords consists of 26 bishops
of the Church of England (Lords Spiritual), 92 elected representatives of the
hereditary peers, and several hundred life peers. The power to nominate bishops of
the Church of England, and to create hereditary and life peers, is exercised by the
Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister. By the Parliament Acts 1911 and
1949 legislation may, in certain circumstances, be passed without the approval of
the House of Lords. Although all legislation must receive the approval of the
Sovereign (Royal Assent), no Sovereign has withheld such assent since 1708.
Constitutional Monarchy
The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy: succession to the British throne is
hereditary, governed by the principle of male preference primogeniture, but excludes
those who are, or who marry, Roman Catholics.
Under the British Constitution, sweeping executive powers, known as the royal
prerogative, are nominally vested in the Sovereign. In exercising these powers,
however, the Sovereign normally defers to the advice of the Prime Minister or other
ministers. This principle, which can be traced back to the Restoration, was most
famously articulated by the Victorian writer Walter Bagehot as "the Queen reigns, but
she does not rule".
In September 2002, the Scottish National Party (SNP) published a document, entitled
"A Constitution for a Free Scotland", which details their policy for the Constitution of a
future independent Scotland. This Constitution, which would come into effect
following Scotland's transition to independence, would set out the rights of citizens of
an independent Scotland, and define the powers and responsibilities of government
and parliament.
Aims and principles
The SNP Draft Constitution declares itself to be necessary "to protect the rights of
every Scottish citizen and to place restrictions on what politicians can and can't do".
The draft "envisages an inclusive Scotland that embraces its geographic and cultural
diversity, where its citizens are free from discrimination on any grounds in the exercise
of their constitutional rights". The intention is to "give voice to the Scottish people and
provide the means for us to take control of the decisions affecting our lives".
Article One, entitled "Constitution and People" sets out some of the foundations of the
Scottish State, including:
(1) The right of the people of Scotland to self-determination and national sovereignty.
(2) A declaration of Scotland's territorial claims to the mainland and islands of Scotland,
and to Scotland's offshore (oil and gas) resources.
(3) A declaration of constitutional supremacy: the Constitution is the supreme law and
any other legislation which is incompatible with the Constitution will therefore be null
and void.
(4) An inclusive definition of citizenship, with reserved rights of residency for non-
citizens resident in Scotland at the time of independence. Voting is from age 16.
Note that there is no preamble or declaration of principles, and no mention of
Scotland's flag, anthem, or capital.
Article Two sets out the arrangement for the Head of State and the Executive:
(1) The Queen (Elizabeth II) would be retained as Head of State, with the title of "Queen
of Scots". The Union of 1603 – a personal union between the Scots Crown and that of
England – would thereby be maintained, even though the Union of 1707 – a
governmental union of two States and two Parliaments – would be dissolved.
(2) The Constitution for Scotland states that the monarch would hold title under the law
of Scotland, so presumably the Parliament of Scotland could, at some future time, alter
the law of succession in such a way that this personal union is dissolved. A Scottish
Parliament would also be able, if it so desired at some future time, to remove the
religious proscriptions which ban Roman Catholics from inheriting the Crown under the
Act of Settlement.
(3) Executive powers are vested in the Head of State, who is expected and required to
act on the advice of the Prime Minister and Ministers. The Prime Minister is to be elected
by Parliament, and Ministers are to be confirmed by Parliament. The government as a
whole is accountable to Parliament by means of a motion of confidence, in accordance
with the rules of the parliamentary system.
(4) When the Queen is not present in Scotland, the elected Presiding Officer (i.e.
Speaker) of Parliament would act as Head of State.
The SNP is committed to holding a referendum on the future of the monarchy within the
first term of a post-independence Parliament, but no explicit provision for this is made in
the proposed Constitution.
Article Three makes provision for a Parliament of Scotland, which will possess
legislative (law making) power, as well as being responsible for debating policies and
holding the Executive to account.
The Constitution makes a number of breaks from British constitutional practice which
were seen as radical in the 1970s but are, according to the SNP's Policy Paper, now
accepted as part of Scottish political life:
(1) The Parliament of Scotland will be unicameral, in keeping with the tradition of the old
Scottish Parliament before 1707 and that of the Devolved Scottish Parliament today.
(2) The Parliament will be elected by proportional representation. The SNP favours the
Single Transferable Vote system, but the exact electoral system used will be determined
by ordinary legislation.
(3) Parliament elected for four-year fixed terms. Early dissolution is permitted only if a
government enjoying parliamentary support cannot be formed: the Prime Minister cannot
dissolve Parliament at will. Parliament may also extend its term of office, in times of war,
for up to one year.
(4) To compensate for the lack of a second chamber, a minority veto procedure
(whereby two-fifths of the members of Parliament can delay a bill for up to a year,
subject to the right of the majority to refer the bill to the people in a referendum) is
included. This is intended to prevent rash legislation by a Parliamentary majority.
(5) A stronger committee system will also be instituted, with pre-legislative scrutiny of
legislation in parliamentary committees, although the Constitution is sparse on detail.
(6) Parliament would have control over declarations of war and the ratification of treaties.
Treaties which amend the Constitution (e.g. treaties of European integration) must be
passed by a three-fifths majority in Parliament and ratified by a national referendum.
Article Four recognises and guarantees the independence of elected local Councils,
which are also to be elected by proportional representation. The Islands authorities
(Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles) also have certain guaranteed privileges
which may not be removed by ordinary legislation.
Note: the constitutionally guaranteed status of local Councils was not included in the
1977 document, but has been included in the 2002 version.
Article Five of the Constitution recognises the independence of the judiciary:
(1) Judges are to be appointed by the Head of State on the advice of an independent
appointments commission, consisting of the Lord Advocate, the Presiding Officer of
Parliament, a Senator of the College of Justice and two impartial members elected by
Parliament.
(2) Judges may only be removed from office, for misconduct, by a two-thirds majority
vote of Parliament.
Article Six of the Constitution entrenches a number of fundamental rights and liberties,
including freedom of speech, religion, assembly, movement, privacy, fair trial, due
process etc. These are based on the European Convention on Human Rights.
Social and economic rights, such as entitlements to public housing, unemployment
benefit, pensions, public healthcare, and education, are included, but there is no
protection for trial by jury and no rule preventing double jeopardy.
The rights and liberties guaranteed in the Constitution may be waived during a State of
Emergency. A State of Emergency must be approved by a three-fifths majority of the
members of Parliament within two weeks, and may continue for up to three months,
after which it must be renewed by Parliament.
Other noteworthy features
(1) The SNP draft Constitution is noticeably shorter than most modern (post-1945 and
post-1989) European Constitutions, at around 6000 words.
(2) The relationships between the Executive and the Parliament are not clearly defined,
particularly with regard to the election of a Prime Minister and the procedure for votes of
confidence. This leaves scope for the regulation of these matters by law, standing orders
of Parliament, or, in the absence of such provision, by existing parliamentary custom.
(3) In contrast to contemporary European practice, the SNP's Constitution for Scotland
does not clearly distinguish between the respective roles of the Head of State and the
Executive (compare with the Constitutions of Spain or Sweden, where such a distinction
is explicitly made).
(4) The Constitution does specify the size of Parliament, only that it must be at least four
times the size of the Executive (the number of Ministers is limited to one-fifth of the
members of Parliament).
(5) The qualifications for membership of Parliament, and any incompatibilities between
membership of Parliament and other public offices, are unspecified. These matters are
subject to determination by Parliament, in accordance with the usual legislative process.
(6) There is no mention in the Constitution for an Auditor-General or an Ombudsman,
although both institutions currently exist in Scotland under Statute law. There is provision
for Freedom of Information, but no reference to the Scottish Information Commissioner.
Scottish National
Anthem
Flower of Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Flùr na h-Alba, Scots: Flouer o Scotland) is a
Scottish song, used frequently at special occasions and sporting events. Although
Scotland has no official national anthem, Flower of Scotland is one of a number of
songs which unofficially fulfil this role, along with the older Scots Wha Hae, Scotland
the Brave and Highland Cathedral. It was written by Roy Williamson of the folk group
The Corries, and presented in 1967, and refers to the victory of the Scots, led by
Robert the Bruce, over England's Edward II at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.
The song has been used as a National Anthem by the Scotland national rugby union
team, ever since the winger, Billy Steele, encouraged his team-mates to sing it on the
victorious Lions tour of South Africa in 1974. The song was adopted as the pre-game
anthem during the deciding match of the 1990 Five Nations Championship between
Scotland and England, which Scotland won 13–7 to win the Grand Slam. The Scottish
Football Association adopted "Flower of Scotland" as its pre-game national anthem in
1997 although it was first used by them in 1993. Usually only the first and third verses
are sung. The song was used as the victory anthem of Team Scotland at the
Commonwealth Games in 2010 replacing Scotland the Brave.
The tune was originally composed on the Northumbrian smallpipes which play in D and
have the benefit of keys on the chanter to achieve a greater range of notes.
Ewan McGregor performed the song in Magadan in 2004 for the filming of the TV show
Long Way Round journey.
In July 2006, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra conducted an online poll (publicised
by Reporting Scotland) in which voters could choose a national anthem from one of five
candidates. 10,000 people took part in the poll in which Flower of Scotland came out the
winner.
1.
O Flower of Scotland,
When will we see your like again
That fought and died for
Your wee bit hill and glen.
And stood against him,
Proud Edward's army,
And sent him homeward
To think again.
2.
The hills are bare now,
And autumn leaves lie thick and still
O'er land that is lost now,
Which those so dearly held
That stood against him,
Proud Edward's army
And sent him homeward
To think again.
3.
Those days are past now
And in the past they must remain
But we can still rise now
And be the nation again!
That stood against him
Proud Edward's army
And sent him homeward
To think again.
4.
O Flower of Scotland,
When will we see your like again
That fought and died for
Your wee bit hill and glen.
And stood against him,
Proud Edward's army,
And sent him homeward
To think again.
The Flag of Scotland
The Flag of Scotland, (Scottish Gaelic: Bratach nàiseanta na h-Alba, Scots: Banner o
Scotland), also known as Saint Andrew's Cross or the Saltire, is the national flag of
Scotland. As the national flag it is the Saltire, rather than the Royal Standard of
Scotland, which is the correct flag for all individuals and corporate bodies to fly in order
to demonstrate both their loyalty and Scottish nationality. It is also, where possible, flown
from Scottish Government buildings every day from 8am until sunset, with certain
exceptions.
According to legend, the Christian apostle and martyr Saint Andrew, the patron saint of
Scotland, was crucified on an X-shaped cross at Patras, (Patrae), in Achaea. Use of the
familiar iconography of his martyrdom, showing the apostle bound to an X-shaped cross,
first appears in the Kingdom of Scotland in 1180 during the reign of William I. This image
was again depicted on seals used during the late 13th century; including on one
particular example used by the Guardians of Scotland, dated 1286.
Use of a simplified symbol associated with Saint Andrew which does not depict his
image, namely the saltire, or crux decussata, (from the Latin crux, 'cross', and decussis,
'having the shape of the Roman numeral X'), has its origins in the late 14th century; the
Parliament of Scotland having decreed in 1385 that Scottish soldiers shall wear a white
Saint Andrew's Cross on their person, both in front and behind, for the purpose of
identification.
The earliest reference to the Saint Andrew's Cross as a flag is to be found in the Vienna
Book of Hours, circa 1503, where a white saltire is depicted with a red background. In
the case of Scotland, use of a blue background for the Saint Andrew's Cross is said to
date from at least the 15th century, with the first certain illustration of a flag depicting
such appearing in Sir David Lyndsay of the Mount's Register of Scottish Arms, circa
1542.
The legend surrounding Scotland's association with the Saint Andrew's Cross dates from
a 9th century battle, where Óengus II led a combined force of Picts and Scots to victory
over the Angles, led by Æthelstan. Consisting of a blue background over which is placed
a white representation of an X-shaped cross, the Saltire is one of Scotland's most
recognisable symbols.
The Royal Standard of Scotland, also known as the Banner of the King of Scots or
more commonly the Lion Rampant of Scotland, is the Scottish Royal Banner of Arms.
Used historically by the King of Scots, the Royal Standard of Scotland differs from
Scotland's national flag, The Saltire, in that its correct use is restricted by an Act of
the Parliament of Scotland to only a few Great Officers of State who officially
represent The Sovereign in Scotland. It is also used in an official capacity at Royal
residences in Scotland when The Sovereign is not present.
“Quarterly, First and Fourth Gules three lions passant guardant in pale Or armed
and langued Azure (for England), Second quarter Or a lion rampant within a
double tressure flory counter-flory Gules (for Scotland), Third quarter Azure a harp
Or stringed Argent (for Ireland), the whole surrounded by the Garter; for a Crest,
the imperial crown Proper; for Supporters, dexter a lion rampant guardant Or
crowned as the Crest, sinister a unicorn Argent armed, crined and unguled Proper,
gorged with a coronet Or composed of crosses patée and fleurs de lys a chain
affixed thereto passing between the forelegs and reflexed over the back also Or;
Motto 'Dieu et mon Droit’ below the shield.”
The European Anthem
"Ode to Joy" is the anthem of the European Union
and the Council of Europe.It is the European Anthem.
The melody comes from the Ninth Symphony composed in
1823 by Ludwig Van Beethoven.
It is played on official occasions.
Composer Ludwig van Beethoven
A page from Beethoven's
original manuscript
In 1972, the Council of Europe adopted Beethoven's "Ode to Joy"
theme as its own anthem.
Without words, in the universal language of music, this anthem
expresses the ideals of freedom, peace and solidarity for which
Europe stands.
In 1985, it was adopted by EU heads of State and government as
the official anthem of the European Union.
It is not intended to replace the national anthems of the Member
States but rather to celebrate the values they all share and their
unity in diversity.
For the final movement of this symphony, Beethoven set to music the "Ode to Joy"
written in 1785 by Friedrich von Schiller.
This poem expresses Schiller's idealistic vision of the human race becoming brothers ,
a vision Beethoven shared.
Friedrich Schiller
It is used at the opening of Parliament after elections and at formal sittings, on
occasions such as Europe Day „and formal events such as the signing of treaties.
Due to the large number of languages used in the European Union,
the anthem is purely instrumental.
Despite this, the lyrics are often sung by choirs or
ordinary people.
Several translations of the poem used by Beethoven as
well as original works have attempted to provide lyrics
to the anthem in various languages.
Original lyrics
by Friedrich Schiller
German original
Freude, schöner
Götterfunken,
Tochter aus Elysium!
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische, Dein Heiligtum.
Deine Zauber binden wieder,
Was die Mode streng geteilt,
Alle Menschen werden
Brüder,
Wo Dein sanfter Flügel
weilt
Latin lyrics
by Peter Roland
Latin original
Est Europa nunc unita
et unita maneat;
una in diversitate
pacem mundi augeat.
Semper regant in Europa
fides et iustitia
et libertas populorum
in maiore patria.
Cives, floreat Europa,
opus magnum vocat vos.
Stellae signa sunt in caelo
aureae, quae iungant nos
Rhymeless and literal
English translation of the Latin
version
Europe is united now
And united may it remain;
One in diversity,
May it contribute to world peace.
May there forever reign in Europe
Faith and justice
And freedom of the people
In a greater fatherland
Citizens, may Europe flourish,
A great task calls on you.
Golden stars in the sky are
The symbols that shall unite us.
The Flag of Europe
The flag of Europe consists of a circle of 12
golden stars on an azure background.
It is the flag and emblem of the European Union and Council of Europe and is also often used to
symbolise the EU as a whole.
The Council of Europe gives the flag this symbolic description:
Against the blue sky of the Western world, the stars represent the peoples of Europe in a circle,
a symbol of unity. Their number shall be invariably set at twelve,
the symbol of completeness and perfection (Paris, 7–9 December 1955)
The Council of Europe's search for a symbol began in1950.
There were numerous proposals but a clear theme for stars and circles emerged.
The Consultative Assembly narrowed their choice to two designs.
The second was a variant on this, the stars were arranged in a circle, by Arsène Heitz,
who worked at the Council's postal service and had submitted dozens of designs.
The Consultative Assembly favoured Heitz's design
The number twelve was chosen and Paul M. G. Lévy drew up the exact design of the new flag
as it is today in 1955
In June 1984 European Council summit in Fontainbleau stressed the importance of promoting
a European image and identity to citizens and the world and adopted it.
The number of stars does not vary according to the number of the nations, they are intended to represent
all the peoples of Europe.
Twelve was eventually adopted as a number with no political connotations and as a symbol of
perfection and completeness.
One was by Salvador de Madariaga, the founder of the College of Europe,
who suggested a constellation of stars on a blue background (positioned according to capital cities,
with a large star for Strasbourg, the seat of the Council).
Madonna in Glory by Carlo Dolci, 1670
Blessing Madonna, stained glass window in Strasbourg Cathedral featuring the twelve stars.
Arsène Heitz was inspired by the Book of Revelation.
the twelve-star halo of the Queen of Heaven were first mentioned in it:
"A great sign appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon underher feet,
and on her head a crown of twelve stars"
(a crown of stars can be interpreted as a “ Crown of Immortality”).
We can‟t forget that the date the flag was adopted, 8 December
1955,
coincided with the Catholic Feast of Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a feast decreed in 1854 by Pope
Pius IX.
The students of 3^ H – Padre Pio School
Altamura - IT
In Italy the European Flag must be displayed alongside the national flag
in official ceremonies and over public buildings.
The flag is used in certain sports arrangements where a unified Team Europe is represented.
European flag at victory of Europe over USA at the Ryder Cup.
In April 2004, the flag was flown in space f
or the first time by European Space Agency astronaut
André Kuipers while on board
the International Space Station.
Today the flag, the anthem, the motto „United in diversity‟, the euro
and Europe Day on 9 May will continue as symbols to express
the sense of community of the people in the European Union.
Thanks to LLP - Comenius project, we learnt from each other. During the next year we will go on
exploring some other aspects of our countries.