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Adolfo Suárez: Spanish First President of Democracy, by Cristian Moya Orts (2º C ESO)

Adolfo Suárez, the first President of democracy in Spain, was born in Cebreros (Ávila) on 25th of September 1932 and died on 23rd of March 2014 in Madrid, at the age of 81. Although away from public life since 2003 due to dementia and neurological illness, Suárez will always be remembered as one of the greatest architects of the Spanish Transition. However, he went down in history as the first elected president in Spain after 40 years of dictatorship.

Adolfo Suárez graduated in law in the University of Salamanca. After holding various positions within the structures of the Franco regime, Suárez was appointed civil governor of Segovia in 1968. A year later, in 1969, he was appointed Managing director of Spanish Radio Television (TVE), a position he held until 1973.

In April 1975 he was appointed deputy secretary general of “El Movimiento” and on 11th of December 1975 he was part of the first government of Arias Navarro, formed right after the death of Franco, as Minister Secretary General. However, this new conservative government, for many an extension of the recent ruling dictatorship, lacked sufficient support from the people and failed to undertake the reform process that the country needed. As a result, Arias Navarro resigned just after a few months as president (July 1976) and Adolfo Suárez was instructed Cabinet. During the next months, Suárez struggled to establish a democratic regime and organized meetings with the main political parties and leaders. The reform was passed by the General Courts and accepted by the Spanish population (after a referendum), who was willing to move towards democracy. In the end, on 15th of July 1977, the first elections took place in Spain after more than 40 years, since the outbreak of the Civil War (1936).

Suárez won the elections and became the first democratic president. Virtually unknown to most Spaniards, his appointment on July 3rd 1976 as elected president raised controversy and criticism. For conservatives, too young and inexperienced; for the opposition, too linked to the previous regime.

Finally, on January 29th 1981, Adolfo Suárez resigned, nearly five years after being appointed Prime Minister by the King. That same year, the king granted him the title of Duke of Suárez for his role in the transition.

“The future remains unwritten, for it is only the People who can write it.” 

Adolfo Suárez

Ready, steady... Cambridge Exams 2014!

Mañana día 9 de Mayo comienzan los Exámenes Cambridge 2014, para los cuales hemos presentado a un total de 87 alumnos del centro en nuestro primer año como Preparation Centre. Les deseamos a todos nuestros alumnos candidatos la mejor de las suertes y os dejamos esta tabla a modo de resumen/recordatorio con los datos más básicos referentes a los exámenes. Recordad que las notas saldrán oficialmente el día 7 de Julio accediendo a esta dirección (ir a web) e insertando los códigos personales que os entregamos. Los certificados no estarán disponibles hasta después de verano.

Good luck and do your best!

Cambridge Exam	Date	Time	Candi-dates	Venue
FCE – First Certificate (B2)	9 May	10 am - 11:15 am	9	Colegio La Inmaculada
	10 May	9 am - 1 pm
EYL - Starters	16 May	4 pm - 5:55 pm	3	Colegio La Inmaculada
EYL - Movers	16 May	4 pm - 5:55 pm	14	Colegio La Inmaculada
EYL - Flyers	16 May	4:15pm - 6:25pm	15	Colegio La Inmaculada
PET International (B1)	17 May	9:15am - 1:10pm	2	San Juan Bosco - Salesianos
KET for Schools (A2)	24 May	9:15am - 2:10pm	21	Colegio La Inmaculada
PET for Schools (B1)	24 May	9:15pm - 2:50pm	23	Colegio La Inmaculada
		Total	87

Film review: "Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back", by Ignacio López Huertas (2º C ESO)

Introduction: I watched ‘Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back’ on DVD last week with my uncle and my little cousin. The film, released in 1980, is an amazing science-fiction movie from the famous director George Lucas, starring Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker, Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia and my favourite, Harrison Ford, also known as Han Solo. It takes place a long time ago in a remote galaxy.

Plot: the film starts in the frozen planet Hoth where the Rebels, one of whose commanders is Luke Skywalker, have built a secret base to hide themselves from the Empire. The Imperial Fleet have found it and they prepare an attack to destroy the Rebel base. There is an epic battle but, even though the Rebels lose, our three heroes get to escape to Bespin, the gas planet where Leia and Han are taken prisoners by the Empire and Luke has to fight his unknown-to-him father, Darth Vader. During the fight his father maims his hand and Luke falls down an air shaft but, luckily enough his friends are there to rescue him.

 

Verdict: I really enjoyed the film because, on top of the actors being great, the battles and the special effects were even better thanks to the beautiful graphics and scenery. It is truly a great film, a masterpiece. Not to mention the incredible soundtrack composed by John Williams. In fact, the movie won 2 Oscar Awards and, for many, it is considered the best episode in the Star Wars saga.