Tribute to General Juan Prim

Unveiling the plaque

President of the Congress

Chief of the Army Staff

Authorities attending

Mayoress of Madrid

Mayor of Reus

The Spanish Army has wanted to join the tribute ceremonies to General Juan Prim which have taken place today in Madrid, organised by the General Prim 2014 Bicentenary Society.  These events have included unveiling a medallion and commemorative plaque on one of the façades of the Bank of Spain and, following this, a tour of Buenavista Palace, Army Headquarters. 
 

At twelve o’clock noon, the President of the Congress of Deputies, Mr. Jesús Posada, the mayoress of Madrid, Ms. Ana Botella, the mayor of Reus (Tarragona), Mr. Carles Pellicer, and the president of the Society, Mr. Pau Roca, have attended the unveiling of the medallion and plaque in Marqués de Cubas Street, the site where on 27th December 1870  -142 years ago today- General Prim suffered the attempt that would end up causing his death. 
 

The King’s 1st Immemorial Infantry Regiment Band has performed the National Anthem and, subsequently, two soldiers in Catalonian volunteer uniform have placed a wreath.  Following the call to prayer, a Regiment honour squad has proceeded to fire the official salute, so bringing to an end the tribute ceremony.

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Buenavista Palace

At the moment when he suffered the attempt, Gen. Juan Prim was president of the Cabinet and Minister of War, and as well he resided at Buenavista Palace.  Owing to this, the authorities today have gone to the present site of Army Headquarters, where they have been received by the Chief of the Army Staff, Army General Jaime Domínguez Buj. Together they have toured the rooms that the general occupied in his day and where he was treated for his wounds. 
 

Once the tour concluded, the Chief of the Army Staff has remembered the historic figure of Gen. Juan Prim, whom he has described as ‘one of the great figures of turbulent 19th century Spain’. Moreover, he has recalled the famous sermon that he addressed the Catalonian volunteers with during the Battle of los Castillejos (1860): ‘Soldiers, you can leave those packs because they are yours, but this Flag is the Country’s. I am going to charge the enemy troops while carrying it.  Will you allow your Flag to fall into enemy hands?  Will you allow your general to die alone?  Soldiers, God save the Queen!  God save Spain!’. 

Parliamentary Speeches  

Prior to the unveiling of the plaque and the tour of Buenavista Palace, the authorities had attended the book presentation for Juan Prim and Prats. Parliamentary Speeches, held in the ‘Pasos Perdidos’ Hall at the Congress of Deputies.  The book’s editing has been the responsibility of the historian and writer Ms. María José Rubio, secretary general of the General Prim 2014 Bicentenary Society, which is dedicated to the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of General Prim’s birth.