A GUIDEPOST REPRINT: “The Semana Grande of Saint Jean-de-Luz,” 26 September 1969 »
A Semana Grande in Saint Jean-de-Luz? In France? Mais oui! The Semana Grande of Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a festival with a cultural purpose that outstrips the festivals in most Spanish cities on which it has been modeled. Saint-Jean-de-Luz in the Pay Basque is a French commune. And yet its ties to Spain is infinitely closer than its ties to France. The first Semana Grande of Saint-Jean-de-Luz was a commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the marriage of Louis XIV of France to the Spanish Infanta Maria Teresa. The tenth Semana Grande was a powerfully Spanish festival that wowed all those who came to attend.
SPANISH RACISM FOCUSES ON THE GYPSIES & THE VASCOS »
Spaniards are most fond of saying that they harbor no racial prejudice whatsoever. That is true in one sense. In another sense what the Spaniards say is not the whole truth in at least two significant cases. The first involves the Basques; the second the gypsies. No “Spaniard” will ever raise a racial issue in discussing the Basques. An yet almost every Basque -- some 2 million of them -- will agree with the publicly repeated proposition of the far-left pro-Basque independence coalition in Spain, Herri Batasuna: “No somos españoles!”
HERD IMMUNITY WHAT? »
Spain is staying on the fast track toward fully inoculating 70% of its population. In the "old" days of the pre-Delta variant, this meant herd immunity. But now experts think herd immunity will be raised to over 80% and doom-mongers are saying herd immunity is a pipe dream. Spain is wary of setting a date for achieving the new herd immunity. But there's no stopping the country from making that "pipe dream" come true And not in the distant future!
THE COAST IS CLEAR »
The pandemic in Europe is easing off satisfactorily, allowing Spain to finally open up its ports to international cruise ships. Get to know the fabulous ports that await you!
A GUIDEPOST REPRINT: “CURRENT EVENTS…NEWS…BUSINESS/Civil Guards Still Adjusting to Democracy,” 31 May 1985 »
A news item about the Civil Guards (Guardia Civil) and how it is adjusting to parliamentary democracy in Spain ten years after the death of dictator Francisco Franco. During the dictatorship, the Guardia Civil was a reactionary element associated with internal surveillance and political repression. Once dedicated to repressing opposition to the Franco regime, the adjustment of the police, but, it seems, especially the Civil Guards to democratic rule was not always easy.
THE G-7 SUMMIT IN BIARRITZ AND OTHER TRAVEL TRADITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO SNARL UP TRAFFIC IN THE FRENCH TOWN AND AT THE SPANISH-FRENCH BORDER. BEWARE! »
The dates around the G-7 Summit are, traditionally, a period of high traffic density. It is important to plan trips on the days prior and subsequent to the Summit for those driving in areas close to the Summit location and avoiding, at any event, traveling into France from the Basque Country.
LOST IN TRANSLATION: Traveling to a Country Without Knowing the Language »
After the hurdles my friend and I overcame, I don’t think I was really able to enjoy Paris. I couldn’t properly communicate with the people or understand many of the words aroun me. I’ve realized that although traveling to a country without knowing the language may seem exciting, it can be extremely frustrating.
HAVE AN EGUBERRI ON IN BILBAO, THE EUROPEAN CITY OF THE YEAR! »
Bilbao has been voted European City of the Year by the Academy of Urbanism. It has undergone remarkable rejuvenation through bold leadership. You might want to be there at Christmastime!
IN SPAIN, NUNCA LLUEVE A GUSTO DE TODOS! »
Though some were glad it rained and even snowed, nothing ever happens to everyone's liking in this driest country in Europe
THE BASQUE COUNTRY & THE VASCOS – 3 (Guernica, the Path to Terror at the Reina Sofia Museum) »
"Guernica, a terrifying mural oil painting of greys, whites, and blacks, was Picasso’s response to the aerial bombing of Guernica, a town in the Basque Country. With Guernica he took a leap into political discourse, reflecting the tremendous events that unfolded in the Basque town"
