The passion, hooded men (some wearing chains), flagellation, virgins, the Macarena: what is this? A little kinky fun in an outmoded discotheque? It is Holy Week in Spain (Semana Santa), perhaps the most important event in the religious calendar, more so even than Christmas. It is laically important, as well, as millions of Iberians sniff […]
Wood and paper maché structures (hogueras) are erected around the city center and suburbs, and next to each one an open-air cafe is put up, with tables and a stage where bands play. These open air cafes are called barracas, and the local people belonging to one barraca or another contribute money all year round […]
since the early 20th century. Basketball, tennis, cycling, handball, motorcycling and, lately, Formula 1 are also important due to presence of Spanish champions in all these disciplines. Today, Spain is a major world sports power, especially since the 1992 Summer Olympics that were hosted in Barcelona and promoted a great variety of sports in […]