“I adore the independence that you breath in Galicia,” said actor Martin Sheen, himself the son of a Galician, during a visit to the region in 2011. But he wasn’t talking about that kind of independence and, as a new poll shows, Galicians aren’t very interested in breaking away from Spain at the moment. According to the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS), only 19 percent of people from the region describe themselves as “nationalist”. This is perhaps not surprising given that of Spain’s three northern “historical nations” – the others being Catalonia and the Basque Country – Galicia has traditionally had the most muted independence movement. But more interesting than the … [Read more...] about Statistics and identity
Archives for June 2013
Graça Barroso: Portugal’s “complete” dancer
Although professional ballet has had a relatively short history in the Iberian Peninsula, there have been a number of performers who have sought to elevate this art form, including Graça Barroso. Considered one of the finest Portuguese dancers of her generation, the former principal dancer for Ballet Gulbenkian and founder of Companhia Portuguesa de Bailado Contemporâneo died in Lisbon on June 11, aged 62 after a long illness. The niece of actress and activist Maria Barroso, Graça was born in Lisbon and trained with Anna Ivanova and David Boswell at the Escola do Teatro de São Carlos. By 1968 she was working with choreographer Walter Gore at the Ballet Gulbenkian. She left Portugal for … [Read more...] about Graça Barroso: Portugal’s “complete” dancer
What new holiday rental licences in Spain could mean
Property experts have been reassuring holiday homeowners in Spain that there's no need to fear plans to introduce holiday rental licences in the country just yet. The Spanish government's proposals to licence the rental of holiday homes have caused confusion, with many holiday homeowners voicing concerns that the new laws could act as a deterrent for people thinking of renting out their property to a tourist as they normally would. The proposals have caused some cash-strapped expats to feel uneasy, with concerns especially among those homeowners who only rent out their properties at peak times of the year. The proposals would include a tax on holiday rental income and would mean any … [Read more...] about What new holiday rental licences in Spain could mean
La Liga: Big-name exodus as season ends
On Saturday, with a wave to the hardcore Ultra fans at the final whistle, he was off. José Mourinho had made his exit after three years at the helm of Real Madrid and he was not the only one, with an exodus of big names from la liga this summer. With no major international football tournament being played this year, the summer trading has got off to a quick start with a host of big players making a quick exit. Another Madrid man, this time from across town, made a highly anticipated big-money move. Radamel Falcao, who has been a revelation for Atlético Madrid since his arrival two years ago, has been courted by a host of clubs this season, with the like of Chelsea, Manchester United … [Read more...] about La Liga: Big-name exodus as season ends
The private sector moves into Spain’s public hospitals
No sooner had the conservative Popular Party taken office at the very end of 2011 than it began drawing up plans to extend private sector involvement in Spain’s public health system, a process begun in 1997 with the support of the Socialist Party. Two years later, La Ribera hospital, built and run by a private consortium led by health insurers Adeslas, opened. Valencia has subsequently created Public Private Partnerships (PPP) in four other health districts. Other PP controlled regions, such as the Balearic Islands, Castilla y León, Castilla La Mancha, and Galicia, are also pushing ahead with the privatisation of healthcare. But Madrid is where the PP wants PPP to really come into its … [Read more...] about The private sector moves into Spain’s public hospitals