The siesta is a world-famous concept and a real tradition in Spain and other warm countries. Even in the Netherlands it is often used as an excuse to get away from it all and close your eyes for a short (or somewhat longer) period of time. Because the term is used so often, there can also be some misconceptions regarding this custom, because what is a real siesta really, where does it come from, and how long does it officially last?

• The siesta originated in the 11th century and over the years has become a real custom in Spain.
• A real siesta lasts between 15 and 30 minutes and is a time for the population to rest in silence so that new energy can be obtained for the rest of the day.
• For some tourists it may be a bit annoying, as small stores often close between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. just when they are often walking around the city to explore it.

The origin of the siesta can be disputed for a while. Indeed, there are several stories about this. The best known story is that it most likely originates from the rules of San Benito in the eleventh century. The Romans used to count the hours from sunrise, which showed that for them the sixth hour was noon. In Latin, the sixth hour means, la sexta hora. Therefore, the rule was rest and silence during this sixth hour. All the faithful thus gained more energy for the rest of the day. This custom was then adopted from monastery to monastery, whereupon the population also began to adopt it as a custom and gave it the name siesta. However you look at it, the siesta has been absorbed by the population at a rapid pace and, like flamenco and fiesta, has become one of the Spanish traditions and is an important part of Spanish culture.

Many people often think that siesta lasts longer than one hour, but this, however, is not true. Officially, a siesta lasts only between 15 and 30 minutes and can be seen as a kind of afternoon nap. Here it is customary to rest for a while on a confortable chair with your eyes closed. If this is not possible, lying on your bed is also allowed. The important thing is to be able to relax in complete silence. Among the real Spanish customs, it is not customary and even a little inappropriate to call between the hours of siesta. In fact, this is the time of rest for the Spaniards and also lunch time for them. This can be compared to calling during dinner time in the Netherlands.

In many cities, siesta still applies to shopping hours. To illustrate, stores in Seville close between 2:00 and 5:00 in the afternoon. This is certainly not weird or nonsense as some people may think, but around that time it is the hottest part of the day and then it is better to stay out of the sun. Especially in Seville. In fact, there it is better to get out of the sun when it is high summer. In fact, temperatures can easily reach 35 degrees in southern Spain. For some tourists, these shopping hours can sometimes be frustrating, as that is often the time when they go out to explore the city and visit stores.

Over the years, siesta has changed a little bit. As before almost everyone used this afternoon nap, now it is no longer so obvious. Because large multinational companies or other businesses do stay open at noon, not everyone can use it anymore either. In addition, in the north of Spain it is not always so hot and necessary to take a nap to escape the heat. This time is then mainly used to hang out with the family and children.

However the siesta is used, it is a habit that can and will easily be adopted....

The Beatles was a band that swept over the world with startling speed, even a country like Spain couldn't avoid this English steamroller thanks in part to Radio Luxembourg and its shortwave transmissions of rock n roll into Spain. One person, in particular, who was an admirer of the group, also used the lyrics from these transmitted Beatles songs to help teach English to his students. Juan Carrión, now 90 years old, was an English teacher at the University of Cartagena and his story was the inspiration behind the movie Living Is Easy with Eyes Closed by David Trueba which was selected as Spain's entry for the Best Foreign Language Film for the 2015 Academy Awards.

During the time Juan Carrión was teaching languages, there wasn't an established teaching method employed in Spain. Instead, he had to create his own classroom teaching strategies and help his students succeed in language learning. One tool that he employed which made him different from his peers was his use of music in the classroom. By getting his students to listen to songs and their lyrics, he believed that this would help them improve their listening comprehension. His notions today are backed by research that states that using music in the foreign language classroom produces positive "emotional and learning enhancements". In a University of Edinburgh study and workbook the author states that songs are an authentic, challenging and enjoyable method of getting students involved in the language which can lead to them practicing outside of the classroom.

What makes Juan Carrión so unique are the lengths he went to so that his students would learn correctly what was being sung by the artists. You have to remember that Juan didn't have the albums of his favorite band which meant that he had to write down the lyrics to the Beatles songs as he heard them on the radio. Not an easy thing to do even for native speaker.  As you can imagine his notebook was full of lyrics and some empty spaces where he couldn't figure out what they were saying.

John Lennon in Spain

As luck would have it, in the autumn of 1966, Juan discovered that John Lennon was in Almería filming the movie, How I Won the War. This was a difficult time for John since he had just finished touring non-stop for three years and the fame surrounding him was becoming a tremendous burden, so much so that he was considering leaving the band. Unlike the stereotypical rabid Beatles fan, Juan was a quiet and modest teacher with a goal—to ask John to fill in the gaps in his notebooks of copied lyrics and ask John (and the Beatles) to publish their lyrics on the album sleeves like other bands.

Going to Almeria from Cartagena by bus in the 60s was certainly a long and hot drive along winding country roads and stopping at every village along the way. Juan did this not knowing if he would meet one of the most famous rock stars at that moment. After one week of trying to arrange a meeting he was finally permitted to meet with John Lennon as he was playing soccer with fellow actor Michael Crawford. His first words directed to Juan were "you're late". John was probably just as shocked at the appearance of this not quite middle-aged "groupie" asking for help with understanding his lyrics and "demanding" that the Beatles print their lyrics so everyone can understand what they are saying in their songs.

As a result of this 40 minute encounter, John Lennon took the time to fill in gaps and add some notes of his own to Juan's notebooks. John was fascinated so much with the idea that his music could be used to teach people English he even promised Juan that he would stop by and visit his school one day (a promise that he couldn't keep). Whether or not Juan was the motor behind the change, in 1967 the Beatles published for the first time the lyrics to their songs in liner notes of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and would do so for the remainder of their albums. It should also be noted that "Strawberry Fields Forever" was penned by Lennon during his stay in Almería.

Today, you can see the movie that was inspired by this story starring Spanish Actor, Javier Cámara (Talk to Her) and Jorge Sanz (Belle Époque). Winner of seven Goyas, the Spanish equivalent of the Oscar, including Best Film, Best Actor and Best Director, this movie changes some of the details of Juan's pilgrimage but stays true to the spirit of the times and the character of this unique and compelling language teacher.

Here is a brief interview with Juan Carrión (in Spanish).

In Spain, you can go all out and spend a lot of money, or go low budget with as little as possible. However, it doesn't matter how you spend your vacation, because both ways are easily achievable here. You can easily get by on about 35 - Euros per day. Going on vacation cheaply does not necessarily have to be simple. In fact, there are different ways of going on vacation cheap in Spain, so that everyone can have a carefree vacation without spending too much.

• Travel type, duration, period and destination are all influential in going on a cheap vacation in Spain.
• It is good to look in advance for different discount codes and promotions. This can make a trip a lot cheaper.
• Besides a regular vacation, you can also enjoy Spain through other ways, such as doing seasonal work.

Backpacking, camping or visiting family/friends are all ways to spend the vacations cheaply. Of course, this does depend on your own spending habits at the destination itself. Not only does the type of visit affect a cheap vacation, accommodation factors are also part of it. Location is very important here. In larger cities, there are certain neighborhoods where they mainly offer various cheap lodging options, such as hostels, inns and guesthouses. Here you can then choose to share the room with one or more people. This can even amount to shared rooms with twelve people. Besides paid ways, there are also certain communities on the Internet where you can stay for free with locals. It is also a great way to get even closer to the culture of Spain. In addition to the type of accommodation, the travel period also has a lot of influence on the price. For those who would like to save money with this, but would still like to visit a popular resort like Barcelona, it is better to go outside the high season. Prices can easily rise to certain “extortionate prices” in high season. In addition, even in the off-season, the temperature is still pleasant enough to sit on a beachfront terrace.

A vacation in Spain can be realized by various means of transport: by car, train or plane. Each means of transport has its own advantages. Those who prefer the comfort of a plane can fly from Amsterdam, Rotterdam or Düsseldorf for little money. However, it is important to monitor prices carefully in order to anticipate the right moment. If you would like to take your campervan to the south, you should keep in mind that there are many toll roads in France. Here you already spend more than 100,- Euros yourself and should definitely be included in the calculation. Also in Spain itself, the possibilities to move yourself from destination to destination are extensive. High discounts are given to travelers who order tickets online well in advance. In addition, it is good to keep a close eye on other discount offers from public transportation. For visits to the somewhat less accessible and unknown cities, the bus is a cheap solution. These buses are very comfortable and equipped with all the necessary modern facilities. To explore the city by yourself, renting a bicycle is excellent. In more and more cities the facilities for cyclists are excellent. In addition, it is a very economical and ecological way to move yourself around the city.

If you want to spend a somewhat longer time in Spain you can also do seasonal work. Popular regions where there are many Dutch people is on the Costa Brava. In the summer, many campsites often ask for Dutch people on a part-time basis. This way you can also enjoy a sun-drenched stay and at the same time save and even earn some money. All in all, these options make Spain a perfect destination for a little less money.

When discussing the topic of talent shows in Spain, perhaps our thoughts turn to international franchises such as Masterchef or La Voz. However, this article will aim to go back to the beginning of this television genre in Spain looking at its origins, its development and its success nowadays.

The talent show format appeared in Spain around the same as Televisión Española (TVE), the Spanish national, state-owned, public television channel first broadcast regular programs. Hacia la fama, which could be considered to be one of the first examples of this style of entertainment, emerged onto Spanish television screens in 1957. In this competition, presented by the journalists Ángel de Echenique and Blanca Álvarez, young, talented writers and later musicians, mimes and dancers pitted their skills against each other. Viewers then voted by mail for the person who they thought should win the first prize.

While this program was still running, TVE released another talent show called Cara nuevas (1957).  It involved contestants completing a series of trials with the winner obtaining a job at the aforementioned broadcaster. This contest helped to launch the careers of some of Spain´s most highly regarded television presenters including Miguel de los Santos and José Luis Uribarri. After these two programs were taken off the air, several other series replaced them offering hopefuls the opportunity to demonstrate a wide variety of different skills from singing with Salto a la fama (1963-1965)to dancing with Danzas de España (1966), a show where couples from each of Spain’s provinces competed in elimination rounds introducing the public to their regional dances. All of these shows were aired for varying amounts of time with Spain’s longest running one so far being Gentejoven (1974-1987), a musical program which helped artists such as the Sevillian singer María del Monte and the pop group Mecano become successful.

It was, however, in the 2000s that this type of entertainment started to gather momentum with a notable program being Operación Triunfo (2001-2011).This competition, which gained immediate popularity among Spanish viewers, combined elements of Pop Idol and Big Brother as participants took part in live shows while the audience got to see them interacting during their daily lives. The winner received a recording contract while in the first three seasons, they also had the chance to represent Spain at the Eurovision song contest.

In addition to having their own homegrown talent shows, Spanish channels have also adapted international franchises for their audiences.  For example, in 2007 and 2008 the private television channel Cuatro produced the program Factor X which is based on the British X Factor series and which aims to find the next big singer with a recording contract at stake. Masterchef, which originated in Britain, has also enjoyed and is enjoying success in Spain with adult and junior versions being made by TVE in collaboration with Shine Iberia.  The cooks take part in several different, individual and team challenges inside and outside the studio, with the victor getting 100,000 euros, a recipe book deal and the opportunity to attend the prestigious le Cordon Bleu Madrid cooking school.

One other show which is worth mentioning is La Voz, the Spanish adaptation of the original Voice of Holland. It includes three stages starting with the blind auditions where the judges choose singers for their teams, moving to the battle phase where two members of the same team battle against each other in duets with one advancing into the next round and finishing with the live performances. As in aforementioned musical shows the singers compete for a record deal.

In conclusion, if after reading this article you have been inspired to share a talent you have, just go and do it. You can either apply for a talent show in your own country or look at competing in one abroad. Don’t hide your light under a bushel. Let the world know about your cooking, singing, dancing and writing abilities or any other skills you might have and who knows, one day you might become famous.

In the middle of the city of Cordoba in Spain, among all the other monuments of Cordoba, stands a veritable mosque-cathedral called: "Mezquita-catedral". Today, this is also considered the tourist sight of Córdoba and one of the most visited tourist sights in Spain. It has as rich a history as the city itself and with a total area of more than 23,000^m2, it is the third largest mosque in the world. In addition to Cordoba's historic center, then, the Mezquita is included in UNESCO's Cultural World Heritage List for good reason. Gilded bronze doors, mosaics, symmetry and wooden decoration characterize this special place. Diving into this fascinating history is therefore extremely noteworthy.

• The cathedral in Cordoba is located in the center of the city and has a Renaissance architectural style.
• Influences of the Moors and Christians are still visible.
• The columns in the prayer hall shape the space and create a timeless symmetry.

Construction of the mosque began around the year 786 AD. In total, it took more than two centuries to finish and was therefore built over the centuries by several architects: Hernán Ruiz I, II and III, Diego de Praves and Juan de Ochoa. The mosque was built on the spot where an ancient basilica previously stood and is located right in the center. The style in which it was built can be seen as Renaissance. In its first years, the Mezquita, which is Spanish for mosque also served as a mosque. At the beginning of its foundation, it was the largest in Europe and the second largest in the world after Mecca. Over the years, the mosque went through quite a few renovations. For example, it received a new minaret (tower to call the faithful to prayer).

After the Spanish conquest ("Reconquista") of the Christians from the Moors, the Mezquita served as a cathedral in the year 1236. However, renovations were only done much later in the year 1523 after permission from Emperor Charles V. Space was made in the middle of the immense hall for a Baroque cathedral in the shape of a large cross. As a result, as many as around 400 pillars had to give way for the arrival of the cathedral. In addition, several chapels were added to the sides of the prayer hall. Upon seeing the rebuilding and the change in construction, the emperor regretted it and said to the architect, "Something was built that is unique in the world, but you destroyed it by (re)building something that could have been anywhere.

Today it serves as a Roman Catholic church, but still reflects the influences of the Moors and the Christians. Despite the renovation that did not go to the Emperor's liking, it does send an important image and message to humanity: an interweaving of cultural and artistic styles that blend in harmony. As a result, it is considered one of the most impressive Spanish cathedrals in Spain.

Before entering the cathedral, you first enter a beautiful courtyard called "Patio de los Naranjos. The name derives from the many orange trees neatly lined up next to each other. When you then walk into the mosque you first enter the prayer hall; a hall with as many as 800 pillars neatly placed symmetrically next to each other. These pillars are each connected by white and red colored columns that shape the space. Surrounding this immense open space are several chapels. Between the chapels is an angular dome, which is also better known as 'Mihrab.' The 'Mihrab' is a prayer niche in the wall that indicates the direction of prayer. At the exit, you walk through an immense bronze door and close this history again. However, not forever, for the memory of this visit remains....

Nowadays there are many admirable, famous figures in the world who as well as leading successful careers have helped and are helping to make a real difference in our everyday society whether it be by campaigning for the protection of the environment orby fighting against poverty, homelessness or other social injustices. Perhaps when we think about great role models our thoughts turn to people such as the late Nelson Mandela, the former president of South Africa, or even Richard Branson,the founder of Virgin Group, for his charity Virgin Unite. However, what about in the Spanish-speaking world? Are there any Hispanic figures whose examples we should seek to emulate? This article will aim to look at just a handful of the Hispanics who are trying to change the world for the better, examining the initiatives they have carried out and are carrying out to help people less fortunate than themselves and to tackle some of the world’s biggest problems.

Shakira

Let’s start with the music industry. Shakira is an internationally recognized artist who has won countless awards. However, she is perhaps less well-known for her tireless charity work. As a United Nations Children´s Fund (UNICEF) Good Will Ambassador she set up “la Fundación Pies Descalzos” (the Barefoot Foundation) in 1997 which aims to help poverty-stricken children in her native Colombia and which is seeking to expand its efforts to other nations. As a result of this charity´s work several schools have opened throughout Colombia funded by the foundation and Shakira including one on her 32^nd Birthday.  Another organization which this singer played an instrumental part in founding is the “Fundacion América Latina en Acción Solidaria” (ALAS- The Wings Foundation Latin America in Solidary Action). This charity, launched in Panama, aims to provide educational and nutritional programs to malnourished and poverty-stricken children across Latin America and the Caribbean. To help fulfil this goal two, free concerts took place in 2008 to educate the public about child poverty in Latin America. Shakira has also been an important figure in promoting environmental initiatives. For example, in 2007 she participated in a Live Earth concert which helped raise awareness of climate change and in 2011 she donated money and contributed to the rebuilding of a school which was damaged by the earthquake in Haiti.

Antonio Banderas

We have looked at one Latin-American role model who has used her money and time to reach out to children in need but Spain also has its fair share of inspiring individuals.  In this article we will look at just one of them, Antonio Banderas. This world-renowned actor from Málaga is known for films such as the Shrek franchise and Desperado. However, he is also a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme.  As part of this role he acts as a voice for the poor trying to promote the fulfilment of the Millennium Developments Goals, a set of 8 goals proposed at the 2000 Millennium Summit of the United Nations, which aim to halve poverty in countries such as Africa and Latin America by the end of 2015.  In 2013 on International Women’s Day, Banderas also released a video appealing for an end to violence against women.

Furthermore, he has collaborated with an international conservation and advocacy association, called Oceana, which tries to protect and preserve the world’s oceans.  In 2005 he recorded several Public Service Announcements deploring the use of bottom trawling, a commercial fishing method where a net is dragged along the sea floor, and raising awareness of the damage it causes to marine life. 

More recently, while filming the Expendables 3 in 2014, Antonio lent his support to the Bulgarian “I Can Too” campaign which aims to support children with special needs, their families and the centreswhich look after them.

Pope Francis

To finish off this article let us return to Latin America.  The final individual that I want to discuss is the leader of a religion, Pope Francis. However, whatever our religious opinions whether we are atheist or devoutly catholic, I think we can all learn from his humility, simple attitude and efforts to deal with some of society´s toughest problems.  In 2014 the Argentinian pontiff met with fellowworld leaders from many different faithsto discussmodern-day slavery with human trafficking and prostitution being two issues on the agenda. This summit, organized by the Global Freedom Network, a multi-faith antislavery association,resulted in the signing of a declaration aiming to rid the world of slavery by 2020. The pope has also worked hard to defend, interact with and serve Rome´s outcasts. In 2013 news reports suggested that Francis had possibly been sneaking out of the Vatican at night to meet homeless people giving them food and money. Moreover, to celebrate his 77^th birthday he invited four homeless people to have breakfast with him.  A year later, again on his birthday, he instructed his chief alms giver and the head of his charity work to hand out 400 sleeping bags to people on the streets and he also greeted and embraced a group of homeless men and women. Finally, Francis again showed his concern for the poor by commissioning modern, state of the art shower blocks to be built which were opened in 2015. These facilities allow homeless people to get clean and shave while also providing them with basic toiletries.

In conclusion, in this article we have seen just three of the many Hispanic figures who are using their time, money, resources and positions to help downtrodden, impoverished and marginalized people in today’s world. And we can follow in their footsteps. We may not have the time or money to set up our own charities but we can make small donations to existing organizations such as Oxfam and those mentioned in this article.  We can also volunteer for charities and other non-governmental organizations. Just thinking about where and how we dispose of our waste can help to stop our oceans from becoming polluted. Not buying products such as corals and seashells will also go some way to preserving our marine habitats. Or if we want to help the homeless like Pope Francis just some of the things we can do include volunteering at soup kitchens and packing food to give them when we leave the house. These are all small steps but they will make a world of difference. We can be role models, just like the individuals in this article, doing our bit to create a more equal, environmentally friendly, harmonious and peaceful planet while encouraging our family and friends to do the same

On the west coast of Latin America lies a very special country with three distinct climates. It is a country very popular among travelers and especially one type of traveler: the backpacker. At the very mention of the name Machu Picchu, it is already clear which country we are talking about: Peru. Peru is one of the world's most popular backpacking destinations. And for good reason, because the options are endless for a perfect backpacking vacation. From the snowy peaks of the Andes to the arid desert of Huacachina - Peru will take you from one extreme to another. Traveling to Peru is a bit more expensive, but the experience you get in return is unforgettable.

•  Backpacking in Peru is an adventure in itself. The many opportunities and sights are each worthwhile.
• There is no need to book accommodation in advance, as there is often room available.
•  The diversity of this country graces to the fullest. From the Andes Mountains to the deep jungle of the Amazon, Peru never ceases to amaze.

Peru officially bears the name Republic of Peru and lies on the land borders of Ecuador, Colombia and Bolivia. The Inca culture is world famous and many have heard of it. Because the country consists of three climate zones, namely desert steppe climate, tropical rainforest climate and tropical savanna climate, no two landscapes are the same. The best travel time to go backpacking does not matter much in terms of temperature, as it remains fairly stable throughout the year. This is due to the fact that Peru is located pretty close to the equator so there are fewer temperature changes. However, if you would like to be assured of a sunny stay, it is best to travel between May and October, as that is the dry season in Peru. In preparation for backpacking in Peru, it is advisable to read more about the rich history of this majestic country in advance. This way you can experience and witness the trip even more intensely.

An ideal starting point to begin your trip is in Lima, the capital of Peru. As a backpacker, you don't necessarily need to spend days on the road, as there are also simply day hikes just a few hours' drive from the capital itself. The cost in Peru is relatively cheaper than in the Netherlands, and the average spending per day comes to just over 20 euros per day. In addition, the price of an overnight stay is very cheap. Indeed, from about 8 euros per night you already have a double room. It is not necessary to book everything in advance, because there is almost always room. Throughout the country there are several thousand routes you can follow. Some of these popular routes are the Colca Canyon route, the Canopy route, the Inca route and the Gringo route.

This popular Gringo itinerary is ideal for those who are still complete beginners in backpacking. This itinerary takes you from the Andes Mountains to the Amazon and shows you all the famous attractions of Peru. The trip duration depends entirely on the time you have available and what you want to see, but on average it will be between 2 and 4 weeks. The itinerary generally starts in Lima and then descends towards the south of the country. The places visited are Pisco, Paracas, Ica, Nazca, Arequipaen and Puno. Eventually, after Puno, you will join the Inca route via Cuzco and end the route in the hidden Inca city: Machu Picchu.

This Inca trail is very special. Through the 45 kilometers of trails you will go from Cuzco to Machu Picchu in three or four days. It is recommended that you stay one or two days in Cuzco before you go, so that you can get used to the low oxygen levels in the mountains. What is good to know is that every year during the month of February the Inca trail is closed for ecological recovery. In addition, it is advisable to make reservations well in advance because these famous tourist sites often have a daily limit. Nevertheless, it is definitely worth it, because one thing is certain: a visit to this area will open your eyes.

Buenos Aires is flooded with film lovers in April - that's because it's film festival time! The Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Film, is also known by its Spanish acronym BAFICI: "Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente". 

The 11-day film festival showcases the very best independent films and projects in cinemas and theaters in the cultural center of Buenos Aires, the downtown neighborhood of Recoleta.

• The films are for 18+ visitors but since 2009, the organization has added the BAFICI category to the festival. This category offers children's films so that children also have the chance to attend the festival.
• Argentina is the leader in the South American film industry and Buenos Aires is therefore a very important film city. Because of this, many film and media students can be found in the Recoleta neighborhood during BAFICI.

BAFICI has been around since 1999 and is growing more and more each year. Last April was its 17th edition and as many as over a million people attended the festival. This film festival is known as one of the most important film festivals in the world by promoting independent film productions so that the most innovative, risky and dedicated films can be shown to the world. Especially for Argentine and Spanish films, BAFICI is a very important event.

BAL, the Buenos Aires Lab is one of the main institutions during the festival. This institution belongs to the city's Ministry of Culture and has a very strong international jury. The winner of BAL, gets to go to the Cannes Film Festival. This has been a tradition between the organizers of the Cannes film festival and of BAFICI for many years. BAL strives to support projects that have a unique character and a link to Latin American cinema. Films and projects that did not make it to the festival are also given a chance during CineMart, the Rotterdam film festival.

The BAFICI is a very popular event in Argentina but also among international film lovers. For visitors who do not speak Spanish, the festival offers Latin American films with subtitles. The festival also offers the chance to speak with producers, directors and actors about their films. During the Buenos Aires cinema event, several awards are handed out for best film, best director, best actor/actress and best script. There are also awards for "Film of The Future," Best Children's Film and a UNICEF human rights award. For many visitors, it is a sport to visit as many films and projects as possible during the festival. Consequently, it is completely planned out what is going to be seen. Tickets can often be bought online in advance, so be there on time. For true film and culture lovers, the Buenos Aires film festival is definitely recommended!

Versión española

“Spain, a desert for jazz.”

This quote by the famous British jazz composer Leonard Feather, paints a rather gloomy and unprofitable picture of the state of jazz music in Spain. It also justifiably raises the question why is it worth writing a whole article about this genre? I think the answer to this question lies not only in the past but also in Spain´s current musical scene.

In this article I aim to look at what Spain has and had to offer in this style of music reflecting on three main questions: How did jazz develop in Spain? What characterized this development? And finally what is the state of jazz music nowadays?

• Jazz in Spain has undergone a roller-coaster ride throughout Spain´s political history.
• This genre can be seen as an important part of Spain´s current musical culture

Spain´s first major contact with this genre can partly be attributed to western influences. In 1929 Samuel Wooding, a famous American jazz conductor, and his “Chocolate Kiddies” performed concerts in Barcelona, Madrid and San Sebastián. However, it was not only this performance but their subsequent recording of discs in Barcelona which gave Spain a real taste of this American music. Another notable musician responsible for increasing the Spanish public´s awareness of this form of music is Jack Hylton who performed, with his British Orchestra, in the Barcelona Universal Exhibition in 1930.

Although these musicians increased the popularity of jazz and revolutionized the public´s perception of this genre, Spain´s indirect contact with jazz can actually be traced back to the 1920s. In ballrooms, in cities such as Barcelona, jazz originally appeared in the form of African-American and Afro-Cuban dances such as the foxtrot, ragtime, rumba and habanera. Famous composers like Debussy further increased the importance of this primitive style of jazz by incorporating it into their pieces. After the introduction of this musical genre, it increased in popularity with Barcelona becoming the Spanish hub for this type of music. Indeed in 1934 the first jazz club opened its doors in this city.

However this so-called “golden age of jazz” music was not to last and with the start of the Spanish Civil War in 1936 and Franco´s reign in 1939 jazz music started to be suppressed. Franco´s “Hispanization” of Spain aimed to get rid of western ideas and influences which included jazz replacing them with Spanish traditions such as folk songs. This censorship of jazz led to the closure of clubs and many jazz musicians left the country.  However, Franco´s reign did not lead to the complete disappearance of jazz music. In fact, in the 1940s and 1950s the jazz industry underwent a partial revival with the opening of a “Hot Club” in Barcelona in 1946 and then one in Madrid two years later.

The focus on folk songs such as flamenco and the comeback of jazz led to a new fusion style called “Jazz-Flamenco.” Pedro Iturralde, a Spanish jazz saxophonist, is considered to be the progenitor of this style. One of his notable works is his collaboration with the flamenco guitarists Paco de Algeciras, the pseudonym of Paco de Lucía and Paco de Antequera. Mention must also be made of Jorge Pardo, a famous jazz flautist and saxophonist, who recorded with the flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucía and the American jazz pianist Chick Corea.

Considering jazz´s chequered past what is the state of this musical genre nowadays? Although Spain is perhaps not renowned for its jazz music, it does have some important yearly jazz festivals which attract artists from around the world including Jazzaldia in San Sebastián, Barcelona´s International Jazz Festival and Vitoria´s Jazz Festival.

In conclusion, in view of the above is Spain as much as a desert for jazz as suggested by Leonard Feather? In the past there were certain moments where this genre did not flourish but its roots were never completely destroyed and talented musicians nourished them and gave jazz a new Spanish identity by combining it with traditional musical styles. If you like this genre do not miss out on Spain´s jazz festivals and you could even combine them with a Spanish course in an exciting city like Madrid or Barcelona.

Mendoza, located in western Argentina and known for its wine production. The area produces as much as 80 percent of Argentina's total wine production. The capital of Mendoza province of the same name hosts the "Fiesta de la Vendimia," also known as the Harvest Festival, every year during the first week of March. A popular festival in Argentina in which 400,000 visitors celebrate the harvest of local grapes and shake up the northern city.

• Fiesta de la Vendimia, Mendoza's harvest festival is number two on the World's Top 10 of Harvest Festivals according to The Guardian. This festival is one of the largest and most popular festivals in Argentina and Latin America.
•  The festivities consist mainly of beautiful parades where each chosen queen parades in an outfit based on characteristics of their region.
• The highlight and conclusion of the festival is the choosing of the Queen of the Harvest. Each of the 18 regions elects a Queen of the Harvest in December and the winner is chosen from among them during the first week of March.

The first week of March is very important in the city of Mendoza. The whole community celebrates together the harvest of the grapes and that the long year of hard work with many efforts is over. For those who suffered from the hail storms and lost their grape harvest as a result, it is time for their hope to be reborn. The harvest festival is not just a week-long celebration. It is a long process and begins as early as the Argentine summer (December). Each of Mendoza's 18 regions first selects a "Queen of the Harvest," who will represent the region during the festivities in the city of Mendoza.

The festival officially begins on the first Friday of March with the first event "Via Blanca. The 'Via Blanca' is a parade in which symbolic vehicles from each region transport their queens through the streets of downtown Mendoza. In decorative outfits, they show the character of their region to more than 200,000 visitors. Be sure to catch one of the bunches of grapes thrown by the queens! The next morning, the "Carrusel Vendimial" takes place. It is a daylight parade where the queens are accompanied by men on horses dressed in Gaucho outfits. The parade is followed by wagons and carriages from colonial times, dancers representing different Argentine and South American regions and musicians. The celebration ends with the "Acto Central," at the famous Frank Romero Day theater, a Greek theater in downtown Mendoza. It is a spectacle with many dancers, lights and folk music. At the end of the show, the Queen of the Harvest is chosen and it concludes with a beautiful fireworks show.

The Mendoza Harvest Festival in Argentina is one of the most famous celebrations of wine and the wine industry worldwide. According to National Geographic's Top 10 World's Harvest Festivals, the Mendoza Harvest Festival ranks No. 2. As such, it is one of the most popular festivals in Argentina and in South America. The atmosphere, the people, the folkloric music, the Harvest Festival in Mendoza is definitely worth a visit. Especially for people who are into wine; it is a carnival party for wine lovers!