Culture Spain – for all things Spanish

Last weekend saw huge demonstrations in Spain against the labour reforms in Spain that the ruling PP (‘Conservative’ ) party have fast tracked through Spain’s legislature.  The protests were predictable, as furious private sector employees throughout the country saw their employment rights changed for the worse. In short, the changes are as follows: Before the new measures, if you were [...]

… at least for residents of Villamayor de Santiago, Cuenca. Probably better known for its famous Manchego cheese and links to Don Quijote, the small town is hitting the headlines due to an innovative economic scheme. Faced with slumping sales in the region, Luis Miguel Campayo, head of the local merchants’ association, came up with the novel idea in order [...]

So, Judge Baltasar Garzon has been banned from acting as a judge in Spain for eleven years, having been convicted of overstepping his authority when he authorised the wire-tapping of conversations between detainees and their lawyers in the notorious (and on-going) Gurtel corruption case. Garzon’s removal from the Spanish judiciary has been nothing if not controversial and has occurred amidst [...]

The euro has gained this week, suggesting the markets are feeling increasingly calm regarding Europe. Greece though has been getting it in the neck. “Oh – to be anything but a Greek politician!” This is the thing Greek prime minister Lucas Papademos must be telling himself this week, as EU officials continue to pile on the spending cuts Greece must [...]

On the 31st May this year, nine men from Paddle4Heroes are going to paddle from Gibraltar to Marbella in Spain by kayak to raise funds for Help for Heroes and a new charity called Families of The Fallen.  Both of these charities should touch the heart of anyone British, as they are at the forefront of helping servicemen and women [...]

Yesterday further problems with Iberia flights were announced which will continue the aggravation caused by the recent Iberia pilot’s strike.  Now it is the turn of the ground staff of Iberia, who have voted for an indefinite period of industrial action. From February 3rd stoppages are likely every Monday and Friday – which is, no doubt, convenient for the staff [...]

A few weeks ago I wrote about corruption in Spain – and within days the Spanish news had headlines about the King of Spain’s son in law (the Duke of Palma) being summoned to appear before a judge to answer questions relating to allegations of corruption.  These concern the misuse of public funds given to a foundation that the Duke [...]

Have you heard of skyrunning (and I have not misspelt the word!)? Well, if you have not, then you are probably not alone – and it is certainly a sport that I had never heard about, until it was drawn to my attention by Mark van Jaarsveld, the ever resourceful techie behind Culture Spain.  As he pointed out to me, [...]

Well, I think if I was in Spain in charge of marketing Spanish property to the British (if there is such a person!) then I would probably finally have my head in my hands.  Either that or I would be looking frantically for a wobbly, three legged stool and a short rope. Why? Because the UK press has recently been [...]

Are you due to fly on Iberia on the 29th December 2011?  If you are – then be aware that 118 Iberia flights scheduled that day have been cancelled.  This is due to a Spanish air strike by pilots of Iberia who are protesting about the creation of a new Spanish budget airline – although the reasons for their discontent [...]