Citizen participation
Some 200 citizens came together this Saturday in Salou to participate in a civic commitment ceremony, marking the second time it has been held in the Tarragona region, after the ceremony held in Constantí in 2022. The event was chaired by the military commander of Barcelona and Tarragona, Brigadier General César de Cea Quijano, and was attended by the mayor of the town, Pere Granados, as announced by the General Inspection of the Army in a statement, the Europa Press agency reports.
Armed Forces Day 2024
This ceremony is part of the activities of Armed Forces Day (Difas) 2024, and is open to any Spanish citizen of legal age who has not participated in a similar ceremony in the last 25 years. The civic commitment ceremony represents a public, individual and civic expression of loyalty towards Spain and the Spanish people, understood as a voluntary promise to defend the collective interests of the country.
Origins and evolution
The civic commitment ceremony has its roots in the Middle Ages, during the time of the Reconquista, where through the oath a relationship was established between the Spanish king and his subject. Over the centuries, the ceremony has undergone changes, but has maintained its essence. In the 19th century, the army became protector of the interests of the sovereign people, which led to these rituals moving to the most important streets and squares of cities and towns.
Current ceremonies
In recent years, civic commitment ceremonies aimed at civilian personnel, organized by the Spanish Armed Forces, have become popular, especially after the abolition of compulsory military service. During the central act, when taking the oath or promise formula in front of the flag, the Head of the Unit crosses his saber with the Flag and pronounces the corresponding formula, followed by the affirmative response of the participants.
