History
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Francisco Franco at a sailing regatta in the bay of La Concha in San Sebastián. The event was later broadcast in NO-DO 1028A. Fondo Marín-Kutxa Fototeka (CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed).
Fascist Propaganda on the Big Screen: The History of the NO-DO in Francoist Spain
The NO-DO has to be viewed with a critical eye, since it is as biased and effective as it is fascinating. However, when handled carefully it provides a powerful tool to help us understand, study and scrutinize our country’s recent past. Read more
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Portrait of Santiago Ramón y Cajal by Joaquín Sorolla, cir. 1906. Image public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Santiago Ramón y Cajal, the Father of Neuroscience
Not only was Ramón y Cajal the first Spanish scientist to win the Nobel Prize for science, he was also a painter, philosopher, inventor, writer and photographer. Over the course of his life, he would publish numerous books and over 200 articles. Read more
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"Gegants" are brought from Sant Cugat to l'ermita de Sant Medir for the Sant Medir's Day celebrations. Photo by Jordi Garcia (CC BY NC 2.0)
Sant Medir, the Revered Saint of… Sweets?
Every year in the days leading up March 3rd the Barcelona neighborhoods of Gràcia, Sarrià, Sant Gervasi and La Bordeta explode in what has come to be known as la "festa més dolça"—the sweetest festival. Read more
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Dogs being taken care of in an image from Livre de la Chasse (Book of the Hunt). The Morgan Library and Museum/Faksimile Verlag Luzern.
Dogs in the Middle Ages: What Medieval Writing Tells Us about Our Ancestors’ Pets
Like their modern counterparts, medieval dog owners with means kitted out their companions with a variety of accessories, including leashes, coats and cushions made from fine materials. Read more
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Bare Bones: Santa Maria del Mar
Santa Maria del Mar is considered an outstanding example of Catalan Gothic architecture, but it was set ablaze at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War in 1936 and that fire changed the people's church forever. Read more
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The Three Kings arriving at the port of Barcelona, photo by Laura Guerrero courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Three Kings’ Day in Spain
In Spain, the holiday season isn’t just gearing up for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and then New Year’s. It includes Saint Stephen’s Day on December 26th and Three Kings’ Eve and Three Kings’ Day on January 5th and 6th. Read more
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Saint Stephen’s Day in Catalunya
Saint Stephen’s Day is not a holiday in most of Spain, but it is in Catalunya and the Balearic Islands; in both areas, it is just as important as Christmas Day when it comes to family time. Read more
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HOLY CRAP!
Two reasons why Christmas in Catalunya is the sh*t Read more
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What Is La Puríssima, and Why Is It a Holiday in Spain?
December 8 is a national holiday on Spain celebrating La Puríssima. But if you ask just about anyone what it is and why it’s a holiday, you’ll quickly learn that many people aren’t really sure. So, why is it a public holiday? Read more
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The Story of Ramón Mercader, Trotsky's Assassin
Mercader was a Catalan communist who murdered Leon Trotsky. Read more