The president of the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE), Alejandro Blanco (photo, right), will explain at a press conference later today why it has been decided to cancel a first performance next Monday by Placido Domingo of the new lyrics to the Spanish national anthem.
The lyrics were written by Paulino Cubero (photo, left), a 52 year old unemployed engineer from Ciudad Real, as part of a competition jointly organised by the COE and the Editors and Writers Society (SGAE).
It is believed that the decision was taken as a result of the lukewarm political reaction to the proposed lyrics, which would have needed to be approved by parliament, and which were leaked to the press at the end of last week.
Jury chooses Spanish national anthem words By: thinkSPAIN Friday, January 11, 2008
According to a report in the ABC, judges have chosen the words for the Spanish national anthem.
Around 7,000 entrants sent in their proposals after the Spanish Olympic Commission (COE) and the Editors and Writers Society (SGAE) launched the competition last year.
The words of the winning entry will be handed over by the jury to COE president, Alejandro Blanco, next Monday.
Although the text will not be made public until the 21st January - when they will be performed by Plácido Domingo at the COE's annual gala - the ABC report claims that it is as follows (unofficial English translation below):
¡Viva España!
Cantemos todos juntos con distinta voz y un solo corazón.
¡Viva España!
Desde los verdes valles al inmenso mar, un himno e hermandad.
Ama a la Patria pues sabe abrazar, bajo su cielo azul, pueblos en libertad.
Gloria a los hijos que a la Historia dan justicia y grandeza democracia y paz.
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Long live Spain!
Let's all sing together with different voices and just one heart.
Long live Spain!
From the green valleys to the immense ocean, a hymn and brotherhood.
Love the homeland for it embraces under a blue sky villages at liberty.
Glory to the children that Histroy gives justice and greatness democracy and peace.
