On our weekend away in November, when we stayed in Cortes de la Frontera, we were lucky enough to coincide with the Jornadas Micologicas – the Mushroom Weekend. We didn’t partake in the fungi foray itself, for fear of poisoning…
A monument to fascism
Yesterday an announcement was made about the recommendations proposed by a special committee of “experts” (whose credibility is a cause for much discussion), set up to look into the Valle de los Caidos (the Valley of the Fallen), the massive, sinister mausoleum…
Fear and repression in Franco’s Spain
Last week I saw two new films about Spain under Franco’s dictatorship. Both were dominated, predictably, by the recurrent themes of injustice, incarceration, abuse and human suffering. Both had a strong Andalucian connection: one was set and filmed here; the…
Stolen babies: part 3. Spain’s shame
It’s back in the news again, this time because of an excellent BBC2 documentary which was broadcast last night. The stolen babies scandal is taking on a higher profile. I’ve blogged about it in the past, having tracked developments in…
The Wedding of the Year: the view from la calle
Today was the Wedding of the Year in Spain. The Duquesa de Alba, Spain’s richest woman, who has one of the finest private art collections in the world, married her third husband. She is a very popular figure in Spain…