Spain

A Catalan pro-independence protestor wearing an Estelada, or Catalan independence mask, stands in front of police, not seen, during a protest in Barcelona, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019.

In Spain, the price for power? Forgiving separatists.

Spain’s socialist party seems ready to form a coalition government after inconclusive elections in July. But to do so, they’ve had to promise to grant amnesty to fugitive Catalan separatists for their attempt to break away from Spain in 2017. The Catalan separatists' party has become kingmaker, but folks on the right say the deal threatens Spain’s democracy.

In Spain, the price for power? Forgiving separatists.
musical group in field

Spanish musician María José Llergo turns roots into wings with ‘Ultrabelleza’

Spanish musician María José Llergo turns roots into wings with ‘Ultrabelleza’
C. Tangana YouTube screenshot.

This Spanish hip-hop star is stepping into global music

This Spanish hip-hop star is stepping into global music
COWS GRAZING ON A FARM WITH A GEEEN MOUNTAIN LANDSCAPE

Cow plague threatening ranches in southern Europe

Cow plague threatening ranches in southern Europe
The main rule of "walking soccer" is no running.

‘Walking soccer’ trend in Spain keeps people of all ages in the game

‘Walking soccer’ trend in Spain keeps people of all ages in the game
cows in the wild

Rewilding in Spain brings back ancient bovine

Rewilding Spain has reintroduced “back-bred” cattle from nearly 10,000 years ago. They hope the aurochs roaming here once again benefits the environment as well as the economy.

Rewilding in Spain brings back ancient bovine
Montserrat Abbey’s mixed Escoliana choir has young women and men. They’ll sing the liturgy one weekend a month, so that the regular all-boys choir can have some time off with family.

Spain all-boys choir finds a new tune and admits girls

After more than 700 uninterrupted years of boys-only belting, Spain’s La Escolania de Montserrat Choir is finally mixing things up. Beginning this September, a select group of girls will be allowed to join the boys at the altar, singing the liturgy at Saturday afternoon and Sunday masses. Choir organizers are calling it a revolution.

Spain all-boys choir finds a new tune and admits girls
People affected by an earthquake camp outside their homes, in Moulay Brahim village, near Marrakech, Morocco, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. 

'Organizing chaos': Moroccans in Spain send aid convoys home after devastating earthquake

Moroccans continue digging out victims from this month’s 6.8-magnitude earthquake in the Atlas Mountains. The death toll now stands at nearly 3,000 people. Many more have been left homeless. Morocco’s government has so far only accepted aid from a handful of countries, but Moroccans overseas are stepping up. In Spain, they’re collecting supplies to send to victims, but it isn’t always easy.

'Organizing chaos': Moroccans in Spain send aid convoys home after devastating earthquake
shack

Formerly homeless American in Barcelona helps others get off the streets

​​​​​​​Some years back, an American in Spain became homeless after a string of bad luck. Now, he’s helping others who’ve hit a similar rough spot. Especially other foreigners with an entrepreneurial spirit.

Formerly homeless American in Barcelona helps others get off the streets
Screenshot from "Cape Flats Kung Fu" by Eavesdrop.

'Planet Hip Hop': The music will always be the voice of the people, Samy Alim says

As we wrap up “Planet Hip Hop,” our summer series celebrating 50 years of hip-hop music around the world, H. Samy Alim returns to talk with host Marco Werman about the next 50 years. Alim is an anthropology professor and the director of the Hip Hop Initiative at UCLA. 

'Planet Hip Hop': The music will always be the voice of the people, Samy Alim says
Woman takes a picture of a sunset at a park.

Barcelona gets bombarded by selfie-taking tourists

Spain’s on the rebound with tourism after huge losses during the pandemic. Those in the tourism business are relieved. But visitors are back with a vengeance and they’re not always well-behaved, irking locals who miss the quieter days.

Barcelona gets bombarded by selfie-taking tourists
Three women in red soccer uniforms holding their hands up with a trophy

Spain made history with Women's World Cup victory — despite team tensions

Supporters are hoping their win leads to greater equality in professional soccer.

Spain made history with Women's World Cup victory — despite team tensions
exhibit

Argentines document European ancestry to migrate to the EU

Millions of Europeans, especially from Italy and Spain, migrated to Argentina between the 19th and 20th centuries. Their descendants are now reclaiming their rights to return to Europe. 

Argentines document European ancestry to migrate to the EU
man holding a sign with people passing by in the background

Spain to compensate thalidomide victims decades later

Europe’s final victims of a drug scandal dating back more than half a century are finally being compensated. Partially, at least.

Spain to compensate thalidomide victims decades later
man on sidewalk

Catalan separatists want university classes taught in the local language. Spanish academics resist the change. 

​​​​​​​Language has always been at the heart of the Catalan people’s campaign for independence. And the regional government is once again demanding that university professors teach their courses in Catalan. But does the Catalan-language law further the nationalist cause, or leave the region more isolated? Professors are already rebelling. 

Catalan separatists want university classes taught in the local language. Spanish academics resist the change.