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!
Second-Hand Spanish Startup
One startup is jumping into the market to help people recycle used clothing…
Second-Hand Spanish Startup
Thanks to environmentally conscious young buyers, fast fashion is being rejected in Latin America. Impressively, one startup is jumping into the market to help people recycle used clothing.
GoTrendier, a Spanish platform that lets users buy and sell secondhand clothing has raised $3.5 million and investors are eyeing the startup as the digital fashion marketplace growth leader in Spanish-speaking countries.
Founder, Belén Cabido, plans to use the new capital to allow GoTrendier to expand deeper into Mexico and Colombia, and launch in a new country - Chile.
It works like this. GoTrendier enables users to buy and sell used items through the GoTrendier site and app. The platform categorizes users as either salespeople or buyers. Salespeople create their own stores by uploading photos of garments along with a description and sale price. Buyers browse the platform for deals and once a buyer bites, the seller is given a prepaid shipping label.
GoTrendier has amassed a user base of 1.3 million buyers and sellers throughout its four years of existence. The service operates in Mexico and Colombia, and will use its newest capital to launch in Chile.
Many have remarked that Latin America’s tech scene is filled with copycats — or companies that emulate the business models of American or European startups and bring the same service to their home market, but a 2018 report from ThredUp has stated that the size of the global secondhand market is set to hit $41 billion by 2022, so this seems like the perfect time to strike for GoTrendier.
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the newest Second-Hand Spanish Startup! What are your thoughts on this groundbreaking new concept for the fashion world? Join the conversation below!
Capturing Isco Via Musica
Spain’s most wanted drug trafficker is in police custody after making a cameo appearance in a music video…
Capturing Isco Via Musica
Spain’s most wanted drug trafficker is in police custody after making a cameo appearance in a music video.
Photo: TheTimes.co.uk
Francisco “Isco” Tejon, who is thought to be the leader of the Castanas gang, which “dominates the hashish trade between Morocco and Southern Spain” has been on the run for nearly two years earlier this month, when he emerged from hiding in an unexpected fashion - in a cameo appearance in a music video by Cuban artist, Clase-A.
The video was uploaded on October 7th and was viewed nearly 50,000 times on YouTube before being replaced by an audio-only version to draw away from Tejon's controversial appearance. Spain’s National Police said Tejon’s arrest “dismantled the top level of the biggest hashish-smuggling gang that operates in the Campo de Gibraltar area” and praised officers’ “ceaseless” pursuit of the gang’s inner circle. However, the battle for La Linea de la Concepcion is far from over as Los Castanas were estimated to control 60% of the drugs trade.
We hope you enjoyed Capturing Isco Via Musica! Do you think this arrest will signal a drop in crime and drug trafficking throughout Spain? Join the conversation below!
Spanish-Speaking Four Legged Friends
For thousands of years, we’ve suspected that our dogs understand human speech, but in 2016 a group of Hungarian scientists proved that dogs can understand language…
Today, it’s estimated that over 437 million people internationally speak Spanish as their native language, making it the second most spoken language on Earth. That estimate accounts for all the humans who speak Spanish, but what about their four legged companions?
For thousands of years, we’ve suspected that our dogs understand human speech, but in 2016 a group of Hungarian scientists proved that dogs can understand language. Their findings indicated that a dog’s brain processes language with mechanisms very similar to the way humans process language, with both sides of the brain working in tandem to decipher a word’s meaning, tone, and its resulting reaction. Thanks to these findings, it’s safe to say that millions of dogs on our planet speak Spanish too! Here’s a few of the most popular breeds in Spanish speaking countries near and far.
Spanish Greyhounds (Galgo)
These slender small pups are known for their unparalleled speed and agility and powerful sight. Originally bred for hunting hare, Galgos have evolved over centuries into tender companion dogs with timid natures when they’re not on the hunt. Rarely seen outside of Spain, the Galgo is cemented as one of Spain’s classic breeds. Unfortunately, as the Galgo breed grew in population, mistreatment of these loyal companions has been on the rise. In recent years, Spanish shelters have been overrun with Galgos who have fallen victim to fighting rings and puppy mills breeding them for game. You can support efforts to aid Spanish Greyhound rescue with the great folks at Galgo Rescue International Network here: http://www.galgorescue.org/#canvas
Ibizan Hound
This fine-framed hound is known for their smooth or wiry caramel coats and for having “legs for days.” These two traits and an excellent sense of sight and smell make the Ibizan Hound Dog Spain’s most agile tricksters. The Ibizan Hound has roots, dating back to 8th century Egypt’s Tesem breed. The breed was refined as a sight hound on the isle of Eivissa to hunt for rabbits and small game on varied terrain. When the breed first gained popularity, they were used to hunt as a means of survival, but today these polite, little dogs make excellent companions for any adventurer. It’s even rumored in Spanish folklore that the Ibizan Hound will bring it’s companion good luck if well cared for!
Chihuahua
Ah, the famous Chihuahua… a spunky dog that is one of Central America’s most famous exports (though historians have little understanding of how the breed landed on the continent in the first place). Chis are known for their compactness, on average weighing six pounds. When the Aztecs conquered the Toltecs in the 12th century, they refined the Toltec-favored Techichi breed from their larger, stockier frame into the pint size version we see today nestled in travel bags worldwide. The recognizable apple shaped faces and large expressive eyes of these larger than life pups have extended their reach from Central America to laps all over the world.
Xoloitzcuintli (Show-low-eats-Queen-tlee)
The Xoloitzcuintli, or Xolo, is known today for its primarily hairless coat and fierce loyalty, but holds a sacred history and was revered by the Aztecs as a spiritual guide. The Xolo was named for the Aztec god of lightning and death, Xolotl, and evidence of the breed being used to ward off evil spirits and protect homes dates back over 3,500 years. There are accounts of Xolos being buried alongside their owners to act as a spiritual escort on their journey to the underworld. Their impact as a protector has carried the Xolo into modern culture, being dubbed the National Dog of Mexico.
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the various Spanish-Speaking Four Legged Friends around the world! Wishing you could understand Spanish as well as these pups? Our culturally immersive group classes and native teachers can help put you on the path to fluency faster than you may think! Click below to learn more.
3 Must Try Spanish Tapas
October 12 is Spanish National Day, and what better way to celebrate a culture than through its food?
3 Must Try Spanish Tapas
October 12th is Spanish National Day, and what better way is there to celebrate a culture than through its food? At the Una Fiesta, authentic dishes can be experienced by those who may not have the opportunity to explore the vast catalogue of Spanish cuisine in its home country. There you will find fish of the Mediterranean and the Bay of Biscay, meat from the Pyrenees and fresh vegetables from around the county. Spain’s cuisine is so varied by region that with just a little garlic, tomato, parsley, basil and onion, the culinary identity is recognizable regardless of the setting it is placed.
Below are 3 must try signature dishes from this year’s festival:
Photo: TastingTable.com
Asparagus with Romesco:
A perfect starter for anyone new to Spanish cuisine, this simple, delicious grilled asparagus is paired with romesco (a Catalan tomato and mixed with nuts-based sauce) and drizzled with Spanish olive oil, with some basil and diced tomatoes
Patatas Bravas:
These melt-in-the-mouth special confit potatoes are a classic Spanish tapa that feature fried chopped potatoes topped with a spicy aioli. If you’re a fan of American style French Fries, you will not only love these, you may never go back.
Ajo Blanco:
This dish is a classic in every Spanish home. The dish consists of a chilled almond and white garlic soup. The soup is drizzled gently over the tuna and melon and topped with asparagus and basil leaves to truly capture the traditional Spanish flavor.
We hope you’ve enjoyed 3 must try Traditional Spanish Dishes! Planning a trip to experience this amazing cuisine in its home? Our culturally immersive group classes and native teachers will have you ordering with ease in no time! Click here to learn more.
Valencia Represents At Organic Food Iberia
The Region of Valencia, the Spanish region with the greatest potential for organic production in the country…
Valencia Represents At Organic Food Iberia
Organic Food Iberia, the new International Professional Organic Fair of the Iberian Peninsula, which will take place next June in Feria de Madrid (IFEMA), has seen a significant improvement in its support in Spain. The Region of Valencia, the Spanish region with the greatest potential for organic production in the country, will participate in organic food trade with its own stand and dozens of companies.
For those unfamiliar, Organic Food Iberia, according to their website, is the “exciting new trade event dedicated to promoting the organic food and wine industry to key organic buyers. Organic Food Iberia is an event with sound organic principles, promoted in close consultation with the organic industry to establish itself as the definitive networking, educational and business event of the year. Organic Food Iberia will take place at IFEMA, Madrid on the 6th and 7th of June 2019.”
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that The Region of Valencia, who will have a massive presence at the fair, is already the second Spanish region with the greatest presence of industries and processing companies devoted to organic production with nearly 1,400 companies and 17% of all organic production based in the region which also includes Castellón and Alicante.
Valencia has also consolidated as one of the main exporting powers in the organic sector. In addition to these specialized companies, 4.6% of the Spanish organic acreage is already located in this Region, which has recorded the greatest increase in the whole country with 1 in 10 hectares in Valencia already classified as organic.
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the largest world organic fair in Organic Food Iberia Takes Valencia! Interested in taking a trip to experience Valencia in all of it’s organic glory? Our culturally immersive group classes and native instructors can put you on the path to fluency faster than you may think! Click below to learn more!
The Virgin Mary Musical
As part of a new musical, those wishing to learn more about the Virgin Mary based in Manila, GUADALUPE, might prove to be just what they’re looking for.
The Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Mexico City is among the widely visited religious sites in the world and has inspired travelers from all over the globe seeking to pay homage to the Virgin Mary. As part of a new musical, ‘Guadalupe: The Musical,’ those wishing to learn more about the Virgin Mary based in Manila, will have access through this new production.
At the start of Guadalupe: The Musical, audiences experiencing a retelling of the mysterious events revolving around the Blessed Virgin in 1531. The original English musical marks the return to stage acting of Cocoy Laurel, who essays the real-life role of Juan Diego, the Aztec mat weaver who witnessed the apparition of the Blessed Virgin.
Official Catholic accounts state that the Virgin Mary appeared four times before Juan Diego and once more before Juan Diego's uncle. According to these accounts, the first apparition occurred on the morning of December 9, 1531, when it is said that a native Mexican peasant named Juan Diego experienced a vision of a young woman at a place called the Hill of Tepeyac, which would become part of Villa de Guadalupe, a suburb of Mexico City. Speaking to Juan Diego in his native Nahuatl language (the language of the Aztec empire), the woman identified herself as the Virgin Mary, "mother of the very true deity" and asked for a church to be built at that site in her honor.
Composer Ejay Yatco has said that Guadalupe: The Musical took 2 years to create with Upstart Productions founder, Joel Trinidad, initially writing the lyrics and the script. Learn more about the production, cast and more by clicking below.
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about The Virgin Mary Musical! Is this production something you would hope to see make an appearance in the U.S.? Join the conversation below!
A Primer on Catalan Cuisine
One thing has consistently been agreed upon when it comes to one aspect of the Catalan people: gastrononmy.
A Primer on Catalan Cuisine
Catalonia has been featured in the news quite often recently due to political, educational, environmental, and cultural affairs and is now one of the most economically dynamic communities of Spain. Since 2010, there has been growing support for Catalan independence. However, one thing has consistently been agreed upon when it comes to one aspect of the Catalan people is gastronomy.
Catalonia sits in the northeast corner of Spain with more than 350 miles of Mediterranean coastline stretching away from the eastern seaport of Barcelona with an enormous array of seafood from cod, salmon and monkfish to octopus, squid, anchovies, oysters and clams.
The northern border is dominated by the Pyrenees Mountains which separate Catalonia from the rest of Europe where one can find more wild mushrooms, truffles, herbs, and cheeses than anywhere else in Spain. Catalonia’s southern border is home to miles of fields that produce rice such as bomba and Bahía.
Since the Middle Ages, Barcelona has been a major port along the trade routes, connecting ports as far away as Alexandria in Egypt and Amsterdam in the Netherlands where trading relationships helped to carry ingredients such as hazelnuts, sugar, pasta, cinnamon, and saffron into Catalan homes and restaurants. The region’s longtime occupation by Muslims also made spices like caraway and cumin part of the vast culinary arsenal now known across Catalonia.
Catalans eat an abundance of fish along with plenty of plant foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, and the very best extra-virgin olive oil made specifically from Arbequina olives. Studies have found time and time again that the Mediterranean Diet is comprised of leisurely meals including Vermouth hour (l’hora del vermut). This tradition of gathering with family and friends for vermouth and tapas before lunch, which is the main meal of the day, has recently been brought back to life in Barcelona. The Catalan diet limits red meat and deep-frying, drinking of wine in moderation and an emphesis on plenty of exercise.
We hope you’ve enjoyed A Primer on Catalan Cuisine! Wishing to experience the beauty of the Mediterranean cuisine in its home of Catalonia? Our culturally immersive group classes and native teachers can help put you on the path to fluency faster than you may have every thought possible! Click below to learn more.
The New True Blue Wine
These student entrepreneurs picked the most traditional consumable of all: wine. In fact it’s the first of it’s kind.- blue wine…
The New True Blue Wine
5 years ago, a group of college students in Spain dedicated their time and talent to make sure they turned the food and beverage industry on its head, so 5 student entrepreneurs named Imanol, Inigo, Gorka, Aritz and Taig picked the most traditional consumable of all: wine. Putting a twist on tradition, their consumable product is the first of its kind, blue wine!
Photo: Today.com
After two years of research at the University of the Basque Country with the help of in-house, professional chemical engineers and an outside centre for food innovation, they launched their company, Gik Live! In 2015, with a record sale of 30,000 bottles in its first year and nearly 500,000 this past year, Gik Live! exports to 21 countries (the United States being its main market & France its second) all with a company of only 12 employees. Electric blue in colour, the wine is made of mainly white wine with a small amount of red and a tiny bit of freshly-crushed grape juice. The innovative Gik Blue is made in several wineries in Spain following the traditional winemaking process and can be found online and in a few restaurants in Spain. While Gik Live used to use sugar substitutes, the company has stated that it has added dessert wine instead to finish the controversial product off with a sweet taste.
Prices online range roughly from $13 to $15 a bottle
Photo: Gik.blue
Reaction to the blue wine has been mixed: "Not bad" was the verdict of the former head sommelier at the Paris Ritz. In Europe, the company has had to label Gik Blue an "alcoholic drink" as authorities have ruled it isn't wine due to its blue hue, but if you happen to purchase it in the United States, it will be labeled as wine.
We hope you’ve enjoyed The New True Blue Wine! What are your thoughts on this controversial new product? 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!
Patching Up The Fashion World
The Spanish Fashion House, Loewe (not to be confused with the hardware store Lowe's), has released their Fall 2018 menswear collection, and it is all about throwing it back to to the 1970s.
Patching Up The Fashion World
The Spanish Fashion House, Loewe (not to be confused with the hardware store, Lowe's), has released their Fall 2018 menswear collection, and it is all about throwing it back to to the 1970s.
The new line features a combination of fleece pants, shearling jackets, and sweaters. The brand has apparently also taken a page from Prada’s playbook and is capitalizing on the half & half trend but proving the envelope can be pushed a bit further.
Photo: Barney's New York
Two of the patchwork pieces from the label’s latest line feature a multicolored two-piece comprising of a striped jacket and matching pants. Made from wool-cotton twill, it features multicolored blue and red stripes, leather details, and varsity-inspired logo patches on the back. This collection has been making waves online since their announcement earlier this month. It is worth noting that these items are being constructed not in Spain, but in Italy.
Photo: Barney's New York
As is expected of many of Loewe’s products, the pieces come with a rather high combined price tag of over $2,500.
We hope you've enjoyed learning how Loewe is Patching Up The Fashion World! What are your thoughts on this new trend in fashion? Join the conversation below!
Victorious Vino
France, known as the wine capital of the world, will now have to work to regain the top spot, according to a study released by the Spanish Observatory of Wine Markets. Spain now holds the title of the largest wine exporter in the world with 22.8 million hectolitres of sales in 2017...
Victorious Vino
France, once known as the wine capital of the world, will now have to work to regain the top spot, according to a study released by the Spanish Observatory of Wine Markets. Spain now holds the title of the largest wine exporter in the world with 22.8 million hectolitres of sales in 2017.
To be fair, its closest competitors, Italy with 21 million hectolitres & France with 15 million hectolitres are hot on the trail. As far as revenue is concerned, France still claims the lead with €9,000 million (followed by Italy with €6,000 million and Spain with €2,850 million).
This can be explained by the fact that Spain sells its produce very cheaply at 1.25 per liter, compared to France's €6 per litre & Italy's €2.78 which makes it the cheapest of all major wine exporters in the world. In fact, France is the biggest buyer of Spanish wines, purchasing it in bulk then re-bottling it and selling it on at a higher price as ‘vin table’.
The main challenge facing Spain is reducing the sale of cheap, mass-produced wine, which is flooding the market despite a lack of internal structures to deal with its distribution. Spanish wine enthusiasts are hopeful, pointing to the fact that in 2017 Spanish exports grew by 2.5% in volume and 7.6% in turnover, due to a price increase of 5% as well as the increased demand for Spanish wine in China, which ranks as Spain’s 5th largest wine market.
We hope you've enjoyed learning about how Spain is creating the Victorious Vino! Planning on taking part in the most exported wine in the world in it's native country? 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!
Culinary Highlights of Caceres
Spain is famous for food. However, it is from the small, often overlooked, city of Caceres that some of the most famous dishes have emerged...
Culinary Highlights of Caceres
Spain is famous for food. However, it is from the small and often overlooked city of Caceres that some of the most famous dishes have emerged. From organic olive oils to the corks used in winemaking, the local food and beverage industry sees that everything is sourced locally. This is why it should come as no surprise that Caceres was named Spain's capital of gastronomy in 2015 as well as 1 of 6 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Extremadura.
According to one tourism official, Cáceres' population sits at 95,855 and contains about 250 restaurants serving dishes ranging from Spanish classics to uniquely modern dishes with a twist.
Here, the black Iberian pig, which plays an integral role in Spanish cuisine, thrives among meadows of flowers and herbs that lend a distinctive taste to the famous Spanish sheep and goat cheeses. One of the most famous Iberian pig dishes is Jamón Ibérico, an exquisite cured ham from black Iberian pigs. Although there are different types of Ibérico ham, also called pata negra, the finest, Jamón Ibérico Bellota Deshesa Extrmadura comes from pigs allowed to roam in a free range environment and feed on acorns.
In the realm of cheese, highlights include the slightly salty and tangy Ibores cheese made from unpasteurized goat’s milk - along with the creamy, Torta del Casar, made with unpasteurized sheep’s milk and a thistle rennet.
Perhaps one of the most unique food experiences comes from the church. Not only are local recipes handed down within the families, but some have been kept secret in the local monasteries and are recently beginning to be shared with the public - crafted by none other than the monestary's nuns.
To order these delicious treats, one must enter the convent’s open door leading to a small room. From there, a menu and price list are posted on the wall and a microphone can be used to order. Once you have placed your money on the tray of the revolving window, the window turns and your sweets and change come back to you at the next turn.
We hope you've enjoyed learning about the Culinary Highlights of Caceres! Planning on visiting the culinary masterpieces of Spain? Our team of native instructors offer culturally-infused classes that, not only ensure that you advance your fluency, but allow you to understand cultural insights to better help you enjoy all that Spain has to offer! Click below to enroll in a course.
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!
Sustainable Spanish Footwear
A new Spanish sustainable fashion brand has created an enticing line of footwear from single-use plastics collected from the ocean floor…
Sustainable Spanish Footwear
A new Spanish sustainable fashion brand has created an enticing line of footwear from single-use plastics collected from the ocean floor. As a continuation of their “Upcycling the Oceans Initiative” which started in 2015, Ecoalf source five plastic bottles from the Mediterranean Sea to create each pair of their Shao trainers. These specific trainers are part of the Ocean Waste Collection which generates absolutely zero waste in both the production & manufacturing of the shoes.
The ingenious process begins with plastic waste from the ocean floor which is extracted and processed into a yarn. This yarn is used as the base for the upper sole and is designed to fit like a sock. The outsole is composed of an invasive species of algae which has proven to create the most sustainable footwear based foam in the world.
As of now, Ecoalf has eliminated 250 tons of waste from the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea and the continued philosophy behind the collection is zero waste - with the plastic bottles developed with PET (recycled polyester). The insole has been eliminated to reduce the number of materials used, along with shoe laces. Even the label is printed onto the material in an attempt to eliminate fabric waste.
Ecoalf has developed over 250 materials using plastic bottles, discarded fishing nets, coffee grounds and post-industrial cotton and wool, and it prepares to launch a swimwear collection in Thailand made from plastics next spring.
We hope you've enjoyed Sustainable Spanish Footwear! Would you be more willing to buy from sustainable brands like Ecoalf now knowing how the products are made? Join the conversation below!
Cleaning Up Counterfeit Cocktails
Police have discovered a disturbing trend that vacationers need to make note of if they plan on day-drinking in the sun and sand this summer…
Cleaning Up Counterfeit Cocktails
Beach season is in full effect which means the summer cocktails are flowing endlessly, especially in Spain. Unfortunately, police have discovered a disturbing trend that vacationers need to make note of if they plan on day-drinking in the sun and sand this summer. Spain’s popularity with tourists has been highlighted recently as the most-loved beaches in Europe and unveiled by beach holiday specialist “On the Beach” who surveyed 1,000 families - most of them were in Spain. However, with the coveted beaches comes a few unsavory characters that want nothing more than to make a quick dollar (or euro so to speak).
Illegal alcohol vendors are popping up faster than police can keep up with them and, in a new twist, footage has emerged of ingredients being stored under manhole covers in what most would call less than sanitary conditions. These vendors have been found to regularly sell drinks to tourists on the beaches of Barcelona and Benidorm and it’s believed that they even attempt to trick travelers by selling them cocktails from nearby bars. At €5, they may seem like a bargain, but this probably has to do with the fact that all of theses drinks are made from ingredients and in containers stored in filthy drains and under sidewalks.
Photo: iGuB
Photo: iGuB
A recent video posted on Facebook shows police officers pulling up manhole covers in the pavements in Barcelona and extracting bags of cocktail equipment. The officers claim that the drinks are then mixed on dirty surfaces including public bathrooms and that the fruit used in the cocktails is washed under beach showers. With the fact that a drink from a legal bar is only on average €10, it is advised that tourists avoid buying from illegal beach vendors, no matter how tempting the price.
We hope you've enjoyed learning how the Spanish police are Cleaning Up Counterfeit Cocktails! Be sure to check out our Culture and Language blog for more helpful hints to make the most of your Spanish getaway. Salud!
Play On The Spanish Stage
If you’ve ever wanted to join musicians from all over the world onstage in Barcelona, IMEXA may have just the opportunity you’re looking for…
Play On The Spanish Stage
If you’ve ever wanted to join musicians from all over the world onstage in Barcelona, IMEXA may have just the opportunity you’re looking for. The Independent Music Exporters South Africa (IMEXSA) is now accepting submissions for participation at the Primavera Sound music festival in Barcelona, Spain, on 28 May 2019.
Founded in 2001, IMEXSA's focus is to develop and increase the number of music exporters in South Africa by identifying trade opportunities and assisting companies to take advantage of those opportunities. IMEXSA is funded by the Department of Trade and Industry and has been operating over the past eight years. During this time, the organization has presented unsigned and independent South African music professionals at Popkomm (Germany), WOMEX, Primavera Pro (Spain), Canada Music Week, MIDEM (France) and SXSW (US).
Primavera Sound's first edition took place in 2001 in Poble Espanyol and in 2005 it moved to the Parc del Fòrum. The festival frequently includes up and comers in independent music and well-established acts while presenting an array of styles and genres. Every installment of the festival has shown growth both in terms of numbers and in terms of media exposure both nationally and internationally. The first festival in 2001 closed with an attendance of 8000 people with the latest run in 2015 concluding with 190,000 attendees.
To apply, interested applicants should complete or download an application form on the IMEXSA website.
Looking to experience this ever-growing festival in the heart of Spain? Our culturally immersive group classes and native teachers are sure to prepare you for all of your foreign musical adventures! 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.
The Euskera Resurgence
There is a resurgence of linguistic tradition brewing in the Basque region of Spain...
There is a resurgence of linguistic tradition brewing in the Basque region of Spain. A 2016 study concluded that 34% of people in Spain’s Basque region spoke Euskera, the native language of the Basque region of Spain, which is an increase from just under 25% in 1991. The more impressive increase is of Basques under the age of 25 who speak Euskera from 25% to now over 70%.
Euskera was banned throughout much of the four-decade dictatorship of Francisco Franco, whose determination to impose a uniform culture on the country included ensuring the use of Castilian Spanish, to the exclusion of regional languages in areas such as the Basque Country, Catalonia and Galicia. During that time, Euskera was confined to smaller towns and villages and used cautiously.
It wasn’t until the 1960s, as the end of the dictatorship approached, that the policy became more lenient. Basque schools, or ikastolas, were created and the language started to enter the mainstream. Today there are 2 entire generations who can communicate with their children in Euskera as the school system has made the push ensuring its survival. The standardization, at the end of the dictatorship, of a language with many dialects also boosted its use and the nationalist governments that have dominated Basque politics in recent years have made the study of Euskera to the forefront of the culture.
The origins of Euskera remain a matter of debate to this day. Its unusual syntax and reliance on a barrage of prefixes and suffixes make it distinct to the Latin-based languages prevalent in southern Europe. Its shrouded history has given way to some odd theories including the claim by historian Esteban de Garibay that Noah’s grandson, Tubal, brought the language to the Basque Country. That notion has long been ruled out, but links have also been made with Caucasian and Berber languages of North Africa.
But while Euskera has enjoyed a steady resurgence in recent years, it has also been the cause of political discord. On June 2nd, thousands of people demonstrated on the streets of Pamplona, against what they saw as the imposition of Euskera in the region’s public institutions. The opponents of the language’s spread have linked it to extreme nationalist politics, but Basque nationalists insist there is room for both Spanish and Euskera.
We hope you've enjoyed learning about The Euskera Resurgence! What are your thoughts on the reemmergance of popularity of the Euskera language? Do you believe it can exist side by side with the Spanish language? Join the conversation below!
The Red Line For Music
The conflict between music publishers and SGAE could be reaching a boiling point…
The Red Line For Music
The conflict between music publishers and SGAE (The Spanish Society of Authors and Publishers) could be reaching a boiling point. As you may remember from our previous article, “The Wheel of Royalties,” a number of Spanish TV broadcasters and music-publisher affiliates have schemed to play more of the songs they own themselves on the air and collect the royalties, thus leaving tens of millions of dollars less each year for everyone else whose music is played on Spanish TV.
Music publishing giants Sony/ATV, Universal Publishing, Warner/Chappell, Peer Music, and BMG may leave Spanish rights’ society (SGAE) by the beginning of next year as the argument over “mistreatment” of broadcast rights rages on. Momentum for this shift picked up late last year when reps for Warner/Chappell, Peer Music and EMI, were ousted from the board of directors for surpassing their term limits. SGAE then replaced the publishers on its board with reps of publishers owned or affiliated with Spanish television stations, in a scheme opponents dubbed “The Wheel.” The publishers took up the issue with the courts, which rejected their appeal, Billboard reports.
Now, the publishers are looking at other options to manage their authors’ royalties. According to local media reports, the companies last Friday effectively handed in their six months’ notice and requested the PRO remove their international repertoire in relation to broadcasting.
Those companies at war with SGAE collectively represent nearly 60% of broadcasting music rights in Spain, including the famous artists Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones, Lady Gaga, and Radiohead to name a few.
SGAE collected 246 million euros in royalties last year, with television and broadcast royalties accounting for more than 12% of the total. While they do not necessarily desire to leave, the collective of publishers have stated that that "if things changed before January 2019” that they may reconsider their decision.
We hope you've enjoyed learning about The Red Line For Music! Do you think the publishers will have to resort to leaving the SGAE? Join the conversation below!