The recently aired BBC documentary, ‘Euro 2012: Stadiums of Hate’ has sparked debate in Britain and elsewhere around the world regarding the safety of fans and players at the upcoming European Championships as well as the broader issue of whether Poland, and particularly Ukraine, should even be hosting Europe’s biggest sporting event at all. The documentary, part of the BBC’s Panorama series, captured chilling scenes of violence, anti-Semitism and racism at football stadiums in the host nations and served to highlight this distinctly seamy aspect of football culture in Eastern Europe. A criticism that has been made of the documentary in certain quarters is that it presents an excessively … [Read more...] about Poland & Ukraine 2012 will advance the cause of extremism in Europe
Iberoblog
Bankia and the blame game
The news that former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is writing a book about his two terms in office in which he will be “critical of himself, but not others,” according to people close to him, stuck out like a sore thumb given that in Spanish politics, apportioning blame currently seems to be as much a priority as finding solutions to the crisis. Whether Zapatero does manage to criticise only himself in his book is another matter, but if not, plenty of others are quite happy to point the finger at him. Last week, Economy Minister Luis de Guindos echoed the Partido Popular-led government’s regular complaint that it inherited an economy in tatters from the Socialists, this … [Read more...] about Bankia and the blame game
Time for Spain’s ‘indignados’ to prove their relevance
As the 15-M movement, or indignados, prepare to commemorate their first anniversary, it says plenty about the state of Spain and its economy that much of the news coverage has focused on the possibility of clashes between demonstrators and police this weekend. With gatherings and marches scheduled across the country, from Saturday until the symbolic May 15 date itself, the scene is set for a huge turnout and another expression of anger and outrage at Spain’s political class and their handling of the economy. Many fear that this will spill over into violence, either on the part of the protesters, or the police. Violent confrontation was not something associated with los 15-M when they … [Read more...] about Time for Spain’s ‘indignados’ to prove their relevance
What will I be when I grow up…in Spain?
I left New Zealand just over a year ago. Probably permanently. And as I suspect is the case for many expats, moving overseas became an opportunity for personal reinvention. Flying out of Auckland, I wasn’t coming to Spain to reinvent myself. I was moving here with my Spanish wife, Yoly. But the temptation to start afresh is compelling. And moving so far from home is the ultimate chance to break with the past. So, two months after arriving in Madrid I became the new me. I gave up directing TV commercials, a job I didn’t enjoy in New Zealand or Spain, and I became a full-time writer. A bad cliché (and an even worse financial decision), I know. But within a few months of my rebirth, the … [Read more...] about What will I be when I grow up…in Spain?
A victory for Hollande, a victory for Spain
François Hollande’s French presidential election win has been trumpeted as a triumph for Socialists across Europe. Not only does it stem the tide of centre-right governments that have taken control of most EU countries, it also vindicates the European left’s resistance to austerity at any cost. And the champagne was being uncorked on Sunday at the headquarters of the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE), as its leaders enjoyed the thought that finally, their neighbour to the north has a left-leaning president. We don’t know whether Hollande will deliver on some of his bigger promises, such as reducing the retirement age or renegotiating fiscal targets with the EU. But the fact that one of the … [Read more...] about A victory for Hollande, a victory for Spain
Pep’s legacy
When Pep Guardiola appeared before the press on April 27 to announce his departure as FC Barcelona’s head coach at the end of the season, he said he felt exhausted and “empty.” Four years leading the club had brought a record-breaking haul of trophies and made him perhaps the most respected coach in world football. But, as Guardiola admitted, “Four years at Barcelona is an eternity and I need to recharge.” His achievements during that time are undisputable: two Champions Leagues, three Ligas, and one (possibly two) Copa del Rey titles; the development of a homegrown youth side that provided Guardiola with 22 first-team players; and the employment of a short-passing, hi-tempo attacking … [Read more...] about Pep’s legacy
Will somebody halt this TV scheduling mayhem?
An article published in El País on April 24 addressed the issue of how to be a successful follower of television series in Spain. (El reto de ser 'seriéfilo en España). As a case in point, it cites the US show American Horror Story, which the channel Cuatro began broadcasting a few weeks ago at 10.30pm on a Tuesday. My husband and I decided to record the first two episodes of the series, which were broadcast as a special double-bill. The double and triple -bill strategy is an interesting trick here, perhaps intended to entice audiences to watch and then stick with the show, presumably under the somewhat patronising supposition that Spanish audiences lack the patience to watch one episode … [Read more...] about Will somebody halt this TV scheduling mayhem?
What now for Spain’s monarchy?
The dung from King Juan Carlos’ accident, while on a private trip to Botswana to kill elephants during which he broke his hip, has well and truly hit the proverbial fan, with Spain revelling in an unprecedented outpouring of criticism in the media that looks set to continue. The King has apologised for the gaffe, promising on state television to Spaniards before limping out of hospital: “it will never happen again.” Ouch: that must have hurt more than the crack he gave himself after tripping over his tent peg on safari. However humbling the experience, his plea to be given a chance to redeem himself and get back to being the king everybody loves may have been too little, too late. He … [Read more...] about What now for Spain’s monarchy?
King’s big-game fall comes at just the wrong time
One week and two accidents related to the Spanish royal family’s predilection for guns. On April 9, King Juan Carlos’s 13-year-old grandson, Felipe Juan Froilán, suffered a foot injury while out shooting in Soria, an incident that is being investigated due to the age of the boy. But when the king had a serious fall in Botswana at the weekend while on holiday hunting for big game, it seemed as if it was the monarch who had shot himself in the foot. By a strange twist of fate, the same day that Juan Carlos had his hip operated on, several thousands people marched through central Madrid to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the Second Republic. Their other motive for being there was to … [Read more...] about King’s big-game fall comes at just the wrong time
How language learning loses its way
Learning a language is a process that has been radically changing over the last ten years. Continuous advances in technology as well as the application of scientific methods have perfected the process of language learning to the very last detail, but that is precisely the reason why it is falling back to some of its old bad habits. Nowadays there is a European Framework of Languages that defines clearly what can be accomplished with language at every level, what should be studied and what not, depending on your degree of knowledge of the language. There are official examinations in almost every country of the EU that will demonstrate your level of competency. There is nothing wrong … [Read more...] about How language learning loses its way