At A Loss For Art
Unfortunately, the Alcázar burned down along with more than 500 works from the Spanish royal family’s art collection…
At A Loss For Art
On the Christmas Eve of 1734, and most of the residents of the Real Alcázar de Madrid, the palace that housed the Spanish royal court, were in the chapel pews to observe midnight Mass all while on the other side of the palace, a fire had broken out in the rooms of the French painter Jean Ranc, who had been working as the Spanish royal family’s official portraitist.
It has been said that Ranc’s poor eyesight led an inability to detect the flames, and the fire bells were mistaken for the expected chimes that ushered in the holiday celebrations as well as the fact that the majority of the castle’s occupants were confined to the chapel and unable to quickly attend to the inferno immediately.
Unfortunately, the Alcázar burned down along with more than 500 works from the Spanish royal family’s art collection.
Built in the mid-ninth century, the Alcázar was present for nearly 1,000 years of Spanish history. It was originally built by Emir Mohamed, the ruler of what would become Madrid, following the Moors’ conquest of the Iberian peninsula. After the Christians regained control, they instituted the Spanish monarchy and each successive ruler put their own touch on the palace (much like the United States’ White House). In preparation for a new bout of construction, a large part of the collection that had been amassed in the previous century was relocated to another location prior to the outbreak of the fire. They were spared from the tragedy as were a good number of the paintings that hung on the Alcázar’s walls.
After the initial mayhem following the fire alarm, an effort was made to save some of the art while the blaze raged on as nearly 1,200 of the pieces were cut from their frames and tossed to the courtyard below (including famed masterpieces such as Diego Velázquez’s “Las Meninas” and Titian’s “Equestrian Portrait of Charles V”).
Among the 500 works that were lost in the fire are some that disappeared without any trace that they ever existed while others left behind records of the great cultural loss. One could say the silver lining of the destruction of the castle gave Spaniards an excuse to build the extravagant Royal Palace of Madrid which still stands today.
While historians continue to agree that the flame first came to life in his room, the Jean Ranc denied it until the end of his life while even going so far as to put himself forward for contention for the job of overseeing the restoration of the recovered Alcázar works in order to save his good name.
We hope you’ve enjoyed At A Loss For Art! Ready to view the surviving pieces from the original historic castle? Our culturally immersive group classes and native instructors can prepare you for your foreign artistic experience faster than you may think. Click below to learn more!
Why The Spanish Are Losing Sleep
Spaniards sleep about 53 minutes less than the European average, but does this mean they are overworked?
Why The Spanish Are Losing Sleep
Spaniards sleep about 53 minutes less than the European average, but does this mean they are overworked? Not exactly. Well, at least not quite yet. In many small Spanish towns, most citizens still take a mid day siesta which is born from the unbearable afternoon climate in the country of Spain.
However, few people in cities can take a siesta which is creating a transition from a culture that affords themselves siestas to one that doesn’t. While it may not be a massive change for those who work indoors (thanks to air conditioning, it is those who work in construction or in the realm of agriculture to work in the heat of the afternoon, but the mounting pressure to scrap the split work day is because of its impact on work-life balance, not because people are worried they’re not getting enough sleep.
The other factor that affects Spaniards’ sleeping habits is that the country is in the “wrong” time zone. Geographically, Spain should be on Greenwich Mean Time, but in 1942, Francisco Franco switched the nation to European Central Time in solidarity with Adolf Hitler, and oddly none of his successors made plans to change it back.
In due course the clocks may change, but for Spaniards, family and social life will always take priority. If enjoying a family dinner or a drink with friends means missing an hour’s sleep, you probably won’t find too many to complain.
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about Why The Spanish Are Losing Sleep! What are your thoughts on the barriers to sleep that the Spanish are navigating daily? Would changing the time zone help matter? Join the conversation below!
From MS Paint to Mary Poppins
One Spanish grandmother that is making major digital waves in the art world including a contract with Disney…
We all have ideas of what we expect “grandmas” to spend their time doing. Among these would be: knitting, gardening, and maybe even painting. However, there is one Spanish grandmother that is making digital waves in the art world. 87-year-old Concha Garcia Zaera enjoys a hobby that’s rather unusually among her friends. She creates masterpieces by utilizing Microsoft Paint which she discovered after her children gave her a computer.
Photo: Instagram
Before Zaera was an MS Paint artist, she created pictures using a more traditional approach. She recently told Radio Valencia that she had previously taken classes in oil painting but that their strong smell prevented her from practicing at home.
Photo: Instagram
Zaera told El Mundo. “I began painting little things: first, a house, the next day I’d add a mountain… Step by step, I was adding details, and in the end, the result was a very pretty thing.”
After posting her works on Facebook to a very limited audience, one of her granddaughters suggested that she should use Instagram instead. It has paid off quite a bit as she has garnered not only a whopping 189.9k Followers, but a contract with Disney to paint a piece for the new movie, “Mary Poppins Returns."
Photo: Instagram
We hope you’ve enjoyed hearing how Concha Garcia Zaera has gone From MS Paint to Mary Poppins. What’s your favorite of her masterful digital creations? Join the conversation below!
Showcasing The Movida Madrileña
A new exhibition about counter-culture during the Spanish transition to democracy previewed this month at a contemporary art museum in Madrid…
Showcasing The Movida Madrileña
For anyone that would consider themselves a fan of French art, a groundbreaking new exhibition about counter-culture during the Spanish transition to democracy previewed this month at a contemporary art museum in Madrid.
Photo: Antonio Mercero, La cabina, 1972. Image courtesy of RTVE
The exhibition, titled "The Poetics of Democracy: Images and Counter-Images from the Spanish Transition,” draws from an event that took place in 1976 at the Venice Biennale - also known as the Red Biennale - when organizers used the event as a platform to showcase art oppressed by Spain's former military dictator Francisco Franco as a way of reshaping the historical narrative of Spain's art scene since the regime took hold in 1936.
In 1968, global youth and art movements radically transformed the world and a counter-culture emerged in Spain as a parallel narrative to the official one. During this cultural revolution, a network of creatives across Madrid garnered enough momentum to push an organized movement through not only collectives but media including magazines, radio shows, and even graffiti art. This paved the way for the "Movida Madrileña," a cultural movement that started after Franco's death in 1975 that represented the emergence of a new Spanish identity characterized by freedom of expression, transgression of the taboos imposed by the Franco regime, and drug usage.
The exhibition showcases images across various disciplines that bring Spain's counterculture of the 1970s out of the shadows and runs at the Reina Sofia from Dec. 5-Nov. 25.
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about how the Venice Biennale is Showcasing The Movida Madrileña! Want to pay the exhibit a visit in person? Be sure to check out our culturally immersive group classes before you book your tickets! Click below to learn more.
The Equalization of Spanish Paternity Leave
The Spanish government is planning to move forward with the equalization of paternity leave with maternity leave…
The Equalization of Spanish Paternity Leave
The Spanish government is planning to pass a number of measures related to equality that were rejected by Spanish congress as part of the 2019 budget. Among those measures is the equalization of paternity leave with maternity leave, which will include an increase from the current 5 weeks to 8 weeks this year for employees in both the public and private sectors.
The changes are included in draft legislation entitled “Royal Decree Law on urgent measures to guarantee equal treatment and opportunities between women and men in employment and occupation,” a 28-page document that the government has distributed for review, and while there may be some modifications, government sources have stated that the issue of paternity leave will most likely be approved.
Women currently have 6 weeks of compulsory leave in comparison to 5 weeks for men, which are voluntary, and the government’s new plan will see paternity leave rise to 8 weeks in 2019, to 12 weeks by 2020, and by 2021, both parents will enjoy equal, non-transferable and paid leave for 16 weeks.
There are a further 10 weeks of leave that either parent can take, but in practice this period is nearly always taken by women. The changes are similar to those agreed on by the Socialist Party (PSOE) government and left-wing party Unidos Podemos for inclusion in the 2019 budget. However, that plan was voted down after Prime Minister Sánchez lost the support of Catalan pro-independence parties. Sánchez has since called a general election for April 28, but is trying to pass legislation such as this change to paternity leave before potentially losing office.
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about The Equalization of Spanish Paternity Leave! What are your thoughts on this new progressive measure? Join the conversation below!
JP Linguistics Holiday Gift Guide 2018 - Our Favorite (Authentic) Gifts From Around The World
JP Linguistics Holiday Gift Guide 2018
Our Favorite (Authentic) Gifts From Around The World
The holidays are upon us and, this year, we wanted to round up a few of our favorite (authentic) foreign brands and share unique products with you, ideal for stocking stuffers and holiday gifts. Why did we create this guide? It’s because we know that sometimes around this time of year, gift-giving can feel like an obligation rather than a genuine act of kindness towards someone else. So, instead of picking up a random gift for someone just because, we wanted to introduce you to some (foreign) brands we love to make your gift giving more unique and thoughtful. What we look for in brands we love is authenticity and this guide has just that. We’ve included brands from France, Italy, Spain and South American (some of whom we know personally, but none of which we are being paid to advertise for) such as Le Slip Français, Mille Feuille Bakery, Asaro, Leone, Jolii Cosmetics, 1880, Ecoalf and more.
In addition, some of these brands have incredible philosophies that we are proud to support. For example, Ecoalf is a company from Spain that upcycles waste found in our oceans to create some of their products including shoes. Marianella Asto is an artisan from Peru who handcrafts alpaca wool gloves and sells them via her shop online with UNICEF. Asaro is a family-run organic olive farm based in Sicily that manually harvests their olives (making all of their products GMO and chemical free). Learn more about these brands by browsing through the entire guide which you can download below. The PDF includes links to each product for easy shopping. We hope you enjoy and, if you happened to buy any, let us know! We’d love to hear about your experience and if you love them just as much as we do.
Happy Holidays from all of us at JP Linguistics!
Tossing Tomatoes In Bunol
Have you ever had the inclination to revive the fabled school lunch room food fight in your adult years? Well, if you happen to make your way to Spain in the late summer, your dreams just might come true…
Tossing Tomatoes In Bunol
Have you ever had the inclination to revive the fabled school lunch room food fight in your adult years? Well, if you happen to make your way to Spain in the late summer, your dreams just might come true.
This past Wednesday, 20,000 Spaniards could be found tossing tomatoes at one another for Spain's Tomatina festival which was made possible by nearly 30,000 pounds of tomatoes. The World’s Biggest Food Fight” began at 11 a.m. local time with just over an hour of constant pelting.
While the splattering unfolds each year on the last Wednesday of August in Bunol, its origins remain unclear. The tradition dates back to the 1940s with some speculating that it was started by angry townspeople who hurled tomatoes at city councilmen, while others believe it was started by a food fight between friends.
The now major tourist attraction has only become more popular (except for the 30 years under Francisco Franco, the Spanish dictator who banned it for lacking a religious connotation).
We hope you've enjoyed Tossing Tomatoes In Bunol! Looking to join in on the fun next year? Our culturally immersive group classes and native instructors are sure to help you make the most of your tomato soaked vacation! Click below to learn more!
Savoring The Sobremesa
It may come as a surprise to say that the most important thing about a Spanish meal, in particular, lunch, is not the food. It’s the time you spend with those around you…
Spain is well known as a paradise for those who LOVE food, but it may come as a surprise to say that the most important thing about a Spanish meal, in particular, lunch, is not the food. It’s the time you spend with those around you.
In Spain, the purpose of going out for lunch isn’t just eating, it’s catching up with friends or family, so if all you’re looking for is a simple meal, you might want to look up take out menus. Lunch in the land of tapas doesn’t end when everyone has had their fill, in fact, it’s at that moment that the sobremesa starts. While there is no equivalent word in English, the concept is simple: sobremesa is the time you spend at the table after you’ve finished eating.
There are only a few guidelines to sobremesa with the most important is that nobody gets up from the table (unless of an emergency). You must stay at the table where you ate, amid the post-lunch assortment of empty plates and used napkins, and if you leave the table, is it as if the spell has been broken.
The sobremesa often lasts as long as the meal itself, and sometimes, if it’s going well, even longer. While the all-day lunch is not an everyday occurrence, the long sobremesa is a fixture on occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries and Sundays with the family. During the week many people still take the time to have a big lunch, and when it’s finished nobody is in too much of a hurry to leave.
While it’s not unheard of to have a sobremesa after dinner, it is typically more of an afternoon event making for an easy excuse to lazily enjoy the beauty of the day, especially in the summertime. In fact, one could look at lunch in Spain as just an excuse for a sobremesa, and as far as excuses go, it’s a pretty good one.
We hope you've enjoyed learning how the Spanish are Savoring The Sobremesa! Looking to experience your own sobremesa in it's native country? Our culturally immersive group classes and native teachers are sure to prepare you for all of your post-tapas conversations! Click below to learn more.
Spain's Lost City
On July 1st, The UNESCO list of world heritage sites added the medieval Spanish city of Medina Azahara, to the growing list of Spanish sites honored…
Spain's Lost City
On July 1st, The UNESCO list of world heritage sites added the medieval Spanish city of Medina Azahara, to the growing list of Spanish sites honored.
The site, which houses the ancient ruins of a city founded by the first caliph of Al-Andalus had remained buried for nearly 1000 years before its discovery at the beginning of the 20th century. It houses the ancient ruins of a city founded by the first caliph (a person considered a religious successor to the Islamic prophet, Muhammad, and a leader of the entire community) of Al-Andalus.
Built beginning in 936-940, the city included reception halls, mosques, government offices, gardens, barracks, and baths with water supplied through aqueducts. The main reason for its construction was politico-ideological: "the dignity of the Caliph required the establishment of a new city, a symbol of his power, imitating other Eastern Caliphates." A Legend also states that it was built as a tribute for the Caliph's favorite wife: Azahara.
According to the official WHC entry, “The Caliphate city of Medina Azahara is an archaeological site of a city built in the mid-10th century CE by the Umayyad dynasty as the seat of the Caliphate of Cordoba. After prospering for several years, it was laid to waste during the civil war that put an end to the Caliphate in 1009-10. The remains of the city were forgotten for almost 1,000 years until their rediscovery in the early 20th century. This complete urban ensemble features infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water systems, buildings, decorative elements and everyday objects. It provides in-depth knowledge of the now vanished Western Islamic civilization of Al-Andalus, at the height of its splendour.”
It is Spain’s only candidate this year but replaces France as the third country with the most sites on this list following China and Italy.
We hope you've enjoyed learning about Spain's Lost City! Before you book that ticket to witness the sunken city, be sure to check out our culturally immersive group classes! Our native instructors are sure to equip you with all of the knowledge, culturally and linguistically, you may need to navigate Spain's newest "world heritage" site.
Monumental Misfortune
In late June, the statue of St. George at a church in Estella in northeastern Spain was experiencing higher than regular visitation numbers. Unfortunately, it was due to a badly botched restoration…
Monumental Misfortune
In late June, the statue of St. George at a church in Estella in northeastern Spain was experiencing higher than regular visitation numbers. Unfortunately, it was due to a badly botched restoration.
The statue is believed to have been completed sometime in the 1500s, and the new coat of paint has had locals wishing that they could turn back the clock. A local bishop said that the priest did not want to restore the statue just to have it cleaned.
The company behind the St. George project, Karmacolor, had published a video about the restoration process but has since taken it down as outrage has mounted against them.
"We cannot tolerate more attacks on our cultural heritage," Spain's art conservation association (ACRE) said in a statement. "It shows a frightening lack of training of the kind required for this sort of job” and that it showed “dreadful lack of previous training.” The association is currently pushing for criminal charges for the destruction of a cultural symbol.
The final product has been compared to the “Ecce Homme” disastrous restoration that occurred in 2012, which made headlines around the world and was dubbed the “worst restoration in history” for making the figure of Jesus look much like a monkey.
But the move has enraged local officials who are demanding to know why they were not informed of the church's plans.
Some positives did come from her efforts however, as the town drew thousands more visitors eager to see her "restoration" and she even had her own art exhibited. Whether the controversy-driven traffic to the statue of St. George turns out nearly as positive still remains to be seen.
We hope you've enjoyed learning about this Monumental Misfortune! Before you book that ticket to witness the statue of St. George that is causing so much controversy, be sure to check out our culturally immersive group classes! Our native instructors are sure to equip you with all of the knowledge, culturally and linguistically, you may need to describe this "monumental" misfortune.
Copa De La Diversion
Earlier this year, Minor League Baseball announced the launch of “Copa de la Diversión,” (Fun Cup) a season-long event created to celebrate the culture with participating teams’ local Hispanic communities. Spanning 160 markets throughout the U.S. and Canada, the program aims to engage the more than 18.2 million U.S. Hispanic/Latino individuals identify themselves as MiLB fans.
Copa De La Diversion
Earlier this year, Minor League Baseball announced the launch of “Copa de la Diversión,” (Fun Cup) a season-long event created to celebrate the culture with participating teams’ local Hispanic communities. Spanning 160 markets throughout the U.S. and Canada, the program aims to engage the more than 18.2 million U.S. Hispanic/Latino individuals who identify themselves as MiLB fans.
Minor League Baseball President & CEO, Pat O'Conner, stated that “One of the pillars of Minor League Baseball is to create an environment where all individuals feel welcome and included in our ballparks [&] It is important to us that our teams are reflective of the communities in which they reside, offering a memorable entertainment experience for all members of those communities."
“One of the pillars of Minor League Baseball is to create an environment where all individuals feel welcome and included in our ballparks [&] It is important to us that our teams are reflective of the communities in which they reside, offering a memorable entertainment experience for all members of those communities."
Image: MiLB.com
With years of research and quantifiable filters helping guide the strategic plan, MiLB targeted the four aforementioned communities as ideal markets to launch the initiative in 2017. Each participating team depicts a unique subset of the U.S. Hispanic/Latino population with revamped jerseys and caps, with the four markets serving as a representative cross-section of the total U.S. Hispanic/Latino populace. For instance, the Las Vegas 51s will become the Las Vegas Reyes de Plata ("Silver Kings") referencing the city’s pioneering history in the metal mining business.
Kurt Hunzeker, Minor League Baseball's Vice President of Marketing Strategy and Research stated that “Minor League Baseball is built on the fun, memory-making experiences created by our teams each and every day.” “When we introduced 'It's Fun to Be a Fan' and 'Es Divertido Ser Un Fan' last season, the overwhelmingly positive response led us to create this season-long event series, further showcasing our teams' commitment to their communities and MiLB's unique brand of fun."
The 160-game event series begins on April 8, in Round Rock, Texas. To build awareness and create excitement for the new national series, a 3-foot tall "Copa de la Diversión" trophy will embark on a tour of the participating cities, as part of a "Gira de la Copa" ("Cup Tour").
Fans can join the Es Divertido Ser Un Fan conversation by using the hashtags #MiLBEsDivertido and #MiLBIsFun!
We hope you've enjoyed learning about the Minor League Baseball's Copa De La Diversion! Looking to dive more into Hispanic / Latino culture? Our fully-immersive group classes and native instructors not only promote linguistic fluency, but will deepen your understanding of the culture as you learn how to communicate effectively! Click below to learn more
Bridging The Spanish Generation Gap
Over the next 50 years, however Spain will have the largest elderly population next to Japan, and authorities are addressing a pressing issue that spans across the world: loneliness among senior citizens.
Bridging The Spanish Generation Gap
It is without questions that the Spanish are amongst the longest living people on the planet. As noted in our previous article, The World's Oldest Man, there are many factors that contribute to this, but it seems to be mostly influenced by diet and cultural standards. Over the next 50 years, Spain will have the largest elderly population next to Japan, according to figures from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Authorities, thankfully, are starting to address a pressing issue that spans across the world: loneliness among senior citizens.
Ourense, a Spanish province with more pensioners than Social Security contributors, is leading an effort where seniors and children are brought together at specially designed daycare centers. A new center has been completed on the outskirts of the city that will welcome 80 senior citizens and 82 preschoolers, who will have two separate areas but a large common room. Elderly residents will be able to see the children at all times and will have a common space to do activities and play games.
“It’s kind of a return to the traditional model in which grandparents and even great-grandparents once lived together with their descendants, leading to mutually enriching relationships,” says Noelia Pérez, of the mayor’s office. “There is no doubt that the elderly will get the most enjoyment out of it, although children will also benefit from the individualized attention,” said Perfecto Rodríguez, manager of the Galician Consortium for Equality and Wellbeing.
The benefits for the elderly include “a sense that they are leaving a legacy behind, making a contribution to the future” by helping with the education of younger generations. “And they improve their social relations, which is vital to longevity, as well as improving their physical condition as a result of the activity they are forced to do.”
As for the children, Sánchez said they will acquire “a much more positive outlook on old age.”
We hope you've enjoyed learning about how the Spanish government is Bridging The Spanish Generation Gap. Do you think this will help solve the problem of loneliness among senior citizens? Let us know below!
Banning the Bullfight
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child have raised concerns about the impact bullfighting could have on children at events and as pupils in bullfighting schools and has urged Spain to ban children from attending bullfights and enrolling in bullfighting schools.
Banning the Bullfight
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child have raised concerns about the impact bullfighting could have on children at events as well as pupils in bullfighting schools and has urged Spain to ban children from attending bullfights and enrolling in bullfighting schools. The committee itself observed that “In order to prevent the harmful effects of bullfighting on children, the committee recommends that the state party prohibit the participation of children under 18 years of age as bullfighters and as spectators in bullfighting events.”
According to "Frommer's Travel Guide," bullfighting in Spain traces its origins to 711 A.D., with the first official bullfight (corrida de toros) being held in honor of the coronation of King Alfonso VIII. Once part of the Roman Empire, Spain owes its bullfighting tradition in part to gladiator games. Although, bullfighting was done originally on horseback among the upper classes, King Felipe V ended the trend stating that he believed it was in poor taste for nobles to practice such a bloody sport.
Currently, the oldest bullring in Spain is located in the southern town of Ronda, but cities like Madrid, Seville and Pamplona also have a rich bullfighting legacy and some of the largest rings in the world.
The Spanish delegation told the committee it would consider the recommendations. The regional government of Catalonia once banned bullfighting, but the ban was overturned in 2016 by Spain’s constitutional court, stating that the practice was “one more expression of a cultural nature that forms part of the common cultural heritage.”
We hope you've enjoyed learning about possible Spanish Banning of the Bullfight! What are your thoughts on this cultural institution being banned? Leave a comment below!
Perserving Ladino
More than 500 years after expelling Jews from the country, Spain is officially recognizing Ladino as a Spanish language in the hope of saving the it from extinction.
Reviving Ladino
More than 500 years after expelling Jews from the country, Spain is officially recognizing Ladino as a Spanish language in the hope of saving it from extinction.
Ladino, also known as Judeo-Spanish, was preserved by Spanish Jews following their expulsion from Spain in 1492. Shmuel Rafael, director of Bar-Ilan University’s Salti Center for Ladino Studies stated that “It was the main tool for creating, disseminating and preserving the spoken and written culture of the Spanish Jews." Also that Spain’s decision has been reached from the knowledge that Ladino is a Spanish language in the same way as are Portuguese, Catalan, Basque and the Spanish dialects are Spanish.
At a conference last week at the Royal Spanish Academy in Madrid, officials announced the establishment of a new Ladino academy to be located in Israel that would put together a historical dictionary of Ladino. With Ladino becoming an official language, Spain will be able to add Ladino words and phrases to its popular online historical dictionary, for the benefit of the world’s 500 million Spanish speakers.
In Israel, Ladino can be studied at Bar-Ilan University, Ben-Gurion University and Hebrew University. The new academy will aim to act as “a crossroads for a vast amount of scholarships,” Rafael stated. “This is a very important moment, a historic moment,” Professor Tamar Alexander, chairwoman of the Ladino authority and a scholar of Spanish-Jewish culture, told the Madrid conference. The new academy is considering to operate out of the Yitzhak Navon heritage center.
We hope you've enjoyed learning about how Spain plans on Perserving Ladino! Want to learn more about the lingusitic intricacies that the Spanish language has to offer? Our native instructors and fully immersive classes are here to help! Click below to learn more.
The World’s Oldest Man
Amazingly, Olivera started to read again at 98 after an operation to cure his cataracts and took daily walks alone in his village until he was 107...
The World’s Oldest Man
The Spanish village of Bienvenida in Badajoz, Spain has declared a day of mourning following the death of Francisco Nunez Olivera who was not just a retired farmer, but the world’s oldest man.
“It’s a very cold day and most of all a very sad day,” village mayor Antonio Carmona stated of Francisco Nunez Olivera who died late last month at the astounding age of 113. He is survived by four children, nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Photo: Gerontology.Wikia.com
Born on December 13, 1904, Olivera’s long life has been credited mainly to the vegetable based diet that was sourced from his own land accompanied by a daily glass of red wine. In fact, Spain currently has one of the highest life expectancies in the world, also attributed to the country’s Mediterranean diet. Throughout his life, he fought in the Rif War in the first half of the 1920s between Spain and the Berber tribes of the Rif mountains in Morocco and survived General Francisco Franco’s dictatorship (1936 - 1975) and was one of 32 people over the age of 90 among the nearly 2,200 inhabitants of the village, according to the newspaper, El Mundo.
Photo: Lacronicabadajoz.com
Amazingly, Olivera started to read again at 98 after an operation to cure his cataracts and took daily walks alone in his village until he was 107.
Proving Nunez Olivera’s exact age has been complicated by the fact that most of Bienvenida’s archives were destroyed during Spain’s civil war that took place from 1936 until 1939.
As a testament to the concept that age is only a number, In an April 2015 interview with Spanish daily El Mundo, Francisco said in a 2015 interview with El Mundo that he would like to live a couple more years despite the fact all his friends were dead and insisted: 'I know I'm old but I don't feel old.'
We hope you've enjoyed learning about The World’s Oldest Man! Ever dreamt of experiencing everything that Nunez Olivera has in the beautiful country of Spain? Our culturally immersive classes and native instructors are here to help!
Celebrating Saint Anthony in Spain
Every January, citizens of Spain hold celebrations to Celebrate Saint Anthony, the patron saint of animals on the holiday aptly named Saint Anthony's Day with two starkly different celebrations.
Celebrating Saint Anthony in Spain
Every January, the Spanish hold celebrations to Celebrate Saint Anthony, the patron saint of animals on the holiday aptly named Saint Anthony's Day with two starkly different celebrations. On the day of the celebration, pet-owners lined up around the block of the Church of San Anton in central Madrid to wait for a priest who stood at the entrance of the building to sprinkle holy water on Dogs, cats, rabbits and even iguanas, many of which were dressed in colorful sweaters to keep warm.
After having their pets blessed, citizens can be seen lined up outside church windows to buy bread rolls, one of which is traditionally kept for a year alongside a coin to ensure work and health and to guarantee the blessing of the saint.
Photo: REUTERS
The more controversial event takes place on the eve of St. Anthony's day in the village of San Bartolome de Pinares and is dubbed "Las Luminarias Festival.” It’s traditions combine the pre-Christian rituals of local peasants with Catholic beliefs that were brought into the culture by missionaries.
Photo: AP
Photo: Czuko Williams / Demotix
Approximately 600 people gather on the outskirts of the city to conduct a fire ceremony for the purification of their horses, and it’s believed that those able to finish their ride through the flames will be protected from misfortunes for the remainder of the year. The ceremony has faced much backlash over concerns of animal mistreatment over the years, however the town’s mayor, Maria Jesus Martin Gomez disagrees with critics by stating: “The only thing I have to say is that the animals don’t suffer anything at all.”
We hope you've enjoyed learning about the celebrations surrounding Saint Anthony's Day in Spain. What do you think about the dichotomy between the Las Luminarias Festival and the blessing of the pets? Let us know in the comment section below!
Spain's Travel Boom
The UN World Tourism Organization has recently found that Spain is currently on track to replace the United States as the world’s 2nd most popular tourism destination!
Spain's Travel Boom
The UN World Tourism Organization has recently found that Spain is currently on track to replace the United States as the world’s 2nd most popular tourism destination.
While France remains the most popular, it is expected that Spain will follow closely behind with 82 million visitors over the past year despite a terror attack in August and the battle for independence by the citizens of Catalonia.
The number of global tourists leapt 7% in 2016, the biggest increase in seven years and Europe benefitted the most with much thanks to the Mediterranean’s sea and sun. While the political crisis sparked a drop in visitor numbers to the northeastern region, it does not hinder overall tourist visitation in Spain in 2017.
Overall, the number of international tourists rose by 7 percent during the past year to an astounding 1.3 billion and is expected to continue growing over this year. One of these said tourists includes our friend, a fashion and travel blogger, Malikah Kelly (www.malikahkelly.com). She’s been jet setting around the globe and created a super helpful article we wanted to share for readers preparing for their next trip to Spain titled, ‘5 Tips To Save For Your Mallorca, Spain Experience!’
Along with Malikah and billions of other travelers, UNWTO chief, Zurab Pololikashvili, stated: "International travel continues to grow strongly, consolidating the tourism sector as a key driver in economic development” and that "As the third export sector in the world, tourism is essential for job creation and the prosperity of communities around the world."
Planning on joining in on Spain's travel boom over this coming year? Our team of native instructors and culturally infused classes will not only ensure that you advance your fluency, but that you will be able to understand and enjoy all that Spain has to offer!
Crypto Cash Dash
The growing cryptocurrency Dash has signed a partnership with Spanish startup Bitnovo to bring the cryptocurrency to 10,000 retailers throughout Spain...
The cryptocurrency market in Spain has been growing exponentially over the past year. Due to the uprisings in Catalonia, some citizens are working with experts in Estonia to create a new digital currency for the region. Bareclona crytographers are reportedly taking advice from cryptocurrency expert Vitalik Buterin, founder of the platform, Etherium. However, one cryptocurrency in particular has struck a massive deal with a Spanish startup to make the it accessible as an investment for Spanish citizens.
The growing cryptocurrency, Dash, has signed a partnership with Spanish startup, Bitnovo, to bring the cryptocurrency to 10,000 retailers throughout Spain and will allow consumers to purchase Dash in stores through coupons. The company released a blog post stating: “Dash is really fast and it has instant send which provides 10 confirmations under 1 minute. Dash also has low fees which actually allow to be used as digital cash.”
Bitnovo is a Spanish cryptocurrency startup that was founded in 2015 and operates an online platform for the purchase and sale of cryptocurrencies in over 130 countries, allowing users to buy and sell cryptocurrency using gift cards, prepaid cards, and more.
Fernando Gutierrez, Head of Legal at Dash stated:
“This exciting partnership not only showcases our eagerness to bring Dash to consumers throughout Spain, but our pledge to eliminate the barriers to entering the crypto community."
Luis Vaello, CEO of Bitnovo stated “Partnering with Dash brings us one step closer to bringing cryptocurrencies to the masses, and having such a reputable name behind our brand further adds to our promise to push boundaries and drive the crypto-community forward...we strongly believe in the power of innovation and the possibilities new technologies have to transform the world we live in.”
Users can already convert Dash into euros and vice versa on Bitnovo which supports payment via debit and credit card, as well as via bank transfer (think of it as a European Coinbase if you happen to be familiar with the American crypto-trading app), however this partnership will allow those without expertise on crypto-technology to not only take advantage of Dash as an investment opportunity, but also of the benefits of the technology behind the coin.
We hope you've enjoyed learning about Spain's Crypto Cash Dash! Are you excited about the advances and partnerships being made in the crypto market in Spain? Leave a comment below!
Go The Distance With Gracián
Ready to continue tackling your new years resolutions? Explore these motivational quotes by Baltasar Gracián, Spanish Jesuit and philosopher.
Go The Distance With Gracián
Ready to continue tackling your new years resolutions? Explore these motivational quotes by Baltasar Gracián:
Jesuit and philosopher.
Gracián was a Jesuit and baroque prose writer and philosopher. whos writings were lauded Nietzsche.
He assumed the vows of the Jesuits in 1633 and dedicated himself to teaching in various Jesuit schools. He acquired fame as a preacher by using somewhat unorthodox techniques such as reading a letter sent from Hell from the pulpit. He was named Rector of the Jesuit College of Tarragona and wrote works proposing models for courtly conduct including El héroe (The Hero), El político (The Politician), and El discreto (The Discreet One).
In 1651, he published the first part of the Criticón (Faultfinder) without the permission of his superiors.
As you can tell, he was not the most behaved Jesuit to walk the earth.
Ignoring the reprimands, he published the second part of Criticón in 1657 and was sanctioned and exiled to. Gracián is the most representative writer of the Spanish Baroque literary style known as Agudeza y arte de ingenio (Wit and the Art of Inventiveness) which can be evidenced by some of his most famous quotes below:
"Be content to act, and leave the talking to others.”
"Great ability develops and reveals itself increasingly with every new assignment.”
"Aspire rather to be a hero than merely appear one.”
"Without courage, wisdom bears no fruit."
"Respect yourself if you would have others respect you."
We hope you've found some extra motivation to go the distance with Gracián!
If learning a new language is on your list of resolutions this year, our team of enthusiastic native instructors want to help you achieve your language goals and advance your fluency!
A Rose For Love And A Book Forever
Valentine's Day in Spain, or "El día del amor y la amistad" - the day of love and friendship - is celebrated much like in many other countries around the world. Restaurants are often booked up weeks in advance, cards and flowers are exchanged, and many a marriage proposal is made.
A Rose For Love And A Book Forever
Valentine's Day in Spain, or "El día del amor y la amistad" - the day of love and friendship - is celebrated much like in many other countries around the world. Restaurants are often booked up weeks in advance, cards and flowers are exchanged, and many a marriage proposal is made.
In Barcelona, citizens have two days when lovers can exchange gifts. La Dia de Sant Jordi (St George's Day) is Catalonia's national day and is celebrated on April 23rd. Spanish men honor St. George's romantic gesture of saving a princess from the clutches of an evil dragon by heroically buying their loved ones a book. It is also said that this tradition more than likely is derived from the fact that William Shakespeare died on this day in 1616. The holiday is also known as El Dia de la Rosa (The Day of the Rose) or El Dia del Libre (The Day of the Book), inspired by the Catalan saying “A rose for love and a book forever.”
Valencia has a day dedicated to celebrating romance as well called The Day of San Dionisio on October 9th where the traditional gift is fruit-shaped marzipan wrapped in a handkerchief, usually bought by men for their wives and mothers. The day is also marked by many festivities including costumed parades held in the main plaza of every town and village.
While much of the country is entranced by the copious amount of love in the air, there are those immune to the season’s charm and believe that the holiday was invented to boost consumerism. Some Spaniards refer to Valentine’s Day as the Día de El Corte Inglés (Day of Corte Inglés), their main department store. So romantic.
How might you celebrate El Dia del Libre if you were in Spain? Perhaps with A Rose for Love and a Book Forever? While we can't transport you to Spain, we'd love to celebrate with you in NYC with a FREE event! Click below to gain access.