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

The Spanish Constitution

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

The Flag of Spain

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.