There was a time when it was said, with a sum of insulting superiority complexes, that Africa began at the Pyrenees, because two dictatorships existed in Spain and Portugal. Those of us who remember having to stand in line with the Spanish passport with the Francoist eagle while other passengers passed through the queue for European Union countries know the improvement in our political dignity that being able to acquire European citizenship meant thanks to democracy. And even now, despite all the community disappointments, it is easy to notice a surge of emotion when the bell rings. Song of joy of the Novena by Beethoven.