FEATURES
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March in Barcelona for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, November 25, 2018. Photo by Marc Gómez courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
The Controversy around Spain’s “Only Yes Means Yes” Law
When expats move to Spain, they may be surprised by certain differences in the way the legal system works versus in their home country. One of the most important laws is that governing consent, sexual assault and rape. Read more
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Gender Violence: Getting Help in Spain
Estimates published by WHO indicate that about one in three women worldwide have been subjected to either physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime. Help is out there. Find out who to call if it happens to you or someone you know. Read more
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Wolf Protection in Europe Has Become Deeply Political—Spain’s Experience Tells Us Why
Wolves are staging a comeback in many areas of Europe after centuries of persecution. Over the past decade alone, they have expanded their range on the continent by more than 25%. Read more
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La Castanyada, an All Saints' Day Tradition
In Catalunya, a number of special sweets are typical of the castanyada: chestnuts and "panellets" are the most iconic, followed by roasted sweet potatoes, candied fruit, quince or quince jelly and "ossos de sant" all washed down with moscatell wine. Read more
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Statue of Christopher Columbus near the port of Barcelona. Photo courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
What Is Día de la Hispanidad & Why Is It a Holiday?
Is it a holiday celebrating a shared history and language that binds together millions upon millions of people across the planet, or an anachronistic and insensitive veneration of the violence and oppression of Spain’s colonial past? Read more
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A "correfoc" (fire run) on the streets of Barcelona. Photo by Xavi Torrent courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Catalunya’s Correfocs, Dracs, Diables and Fire Beasts
The tradition of wedding fire to public celebration isn’t unique to Barcelona or Cataluyna, of course; however, the specific way in which Catalans celebrate with fire tends to be both unique and entertaining. Read more
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Ball dels gegants at Festa de la Mercè, photo courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
La Mercè, Barcelona’s Second Patron Saint
Just like every neighborhood has its "festa major," nearly every town in Catalunya has a city-wide festival in honor of its patron saint. Barcelona has two patron saints: Santa Eulàlia and the Mare de Déu de la Mercè—known simply as La Mercè. Read more
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La Diada, September 11, 2014. Photo by Vicente Zambrano González courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
La Diada: Catalunya’s National Day
A guide to Catalunya’s national day on September 11th. Read more
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September Film Festivals in Catalunya
As summer draws to a close, September eases us into autumn with some of region's most interesting and eclectic film festivals. Read more
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Festa Major de Gràcia: A Lasting Tradition
For one week in August, Gràcia’s narrow streets are embellished with decorations and artwork, each one forming a tunnel that transports you to a different wonderland. Read more
