FASCINATING BULGARIA: WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED »
It is a good idea to stray off the beaten path and follow a route less traveled but no less fascinating. An endeavor that falls well within the propitious motto "More Spain in Bulgaria and more Bulgaria in Spain."
A GUIDEPOST REPRINT: The Spanish Scene, Spain’s Massiel Wins Eurovision Song Contest, 12 April 1968 »
The Spanish song entry "La, La, La" took top honors in the 13th edition of the continent-wide Eurovision Song Contest held in London last week. Twenty-year-old pop singer Massiel belted it out with enough energy to squeak through with a one-point victory over the English song "Congratulations" sung by Cliff Richards. It was Spain's first Eurovision triumph. When the results were announced, Massiel lit up like a Christmas tree in her sparkling mini-skirt outfit and launched into a real knock-out version of the tune.
A Second Opinion: Worldwide Sanctions Against Russia Due to its Invasion of Ukraine »
Countries around the world have imposed sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, where the war rages on with destructive force while Ukrainians fight to defend their country. Putin is indifferent to the sanctions against him, they say. Joe Biden suggested Putin should no longer be allowed to be in power.
MADRID LAUNCHES A NEW INTERNATIONAL TOURISM CAMPAIGN »
In its latest endeavour to inspire future visitors to the city, the Madrid City Council’s Tourism Department has launched a new international tourism campaign to promote the image of the capital. The target is the city’s main strategic markets and the aim is to secure Madrid’s position as a world-leading urban destination.
GUIDEPOST LOVES GOOD NEWS: THE UK AND GERMANY LOOK TO THE CANARY ISLANDS FOR A GREAT WINTER’S HOLIDAY »
Brits are allowed by their government to go sun themselves in the balmy Canary Islands starting 25 October 2020. Same goes for the Germans. The opening up of the “travel corridor” between England and the Canaries, and between Germany and the Canaries, is “excellent news which gives the Islands a new opportunity to start their winter tourist season with a better outlook," says the Spanish Minister of Tourism. But if you're going to the Canaries, check out the updates just to make sure.
EUROPE SOON TO HAVE A CORONAVIRUS VACCINE VIA ASTRAZENECA »
Earlier this month France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands joined forces to form the Inclusive Vaccine Alliance, in order to have a stronger negotiating position in the race for a coronavirus vaccine. All EU member states will have the opportunity to sign up to the deal, under the same conditions as the
alliance members. But something might go wrong at the last minute and production might just end up where all pipe dreams go — down the drain!
EUROPE’S “HEARTFELT APOLOGY” TO ITALY »
Too many were not there on time when Italy needed a helping hand. For that, it is right that Europe as a whole offers a heartfelt apology. But now the real Europe is standing up, the one that is there for each other when it is needed the most. Now Europe is where paramedics from Poland and doctors from Romania save lives in Italy. Where ventilators from Germany provide a lifeline in Spain. Where hospitals in Czechia treat the sick from France. And where patients from Bergamo are flown to clinics in Bonn. . .
SPAIN, NOVEMBER 2019: A ROAD TO THE FAR RIGHT »
The radical right is “a political ideology, the core element of which is a myth of a homogeneous nation, a romantic and populist ultranationalism which is directed against the concept of liberal and pluralistic democracy. . . It wants government by the people, but in terms of ethnocracy instead of democracy.” Thus, one of the biggest political stories in Spain these days, as a young but stable demo crary, is the sudden and perplexing rise of the reactionary far-right Vox party. In the 10 November 2019 snap election, Vox won no less than 15.09% of the vote. Overnight, it has become Spain’s third largest parliamentary party. Should Spain — and Europe — begin to worry?
A FREE EUROPE: DAY OF REMEMBERANCE FOR THE VICTIMS OF TOTALITARIAN REGIMES »
EU First Vice-President Timmermans and Commissioner Jourová: “Every 23 August, we honour the memory of the millions of victims of all totalitarian regimes. This year we also mark the 30 years of events in 1989 when citizens of Central and Eastern Europe stood up and broke through the Iron Curtain and accelerated its fall. The courageous actions of citizens brought back freedom and democracy to all of Europe.
“¡SPAIN IS BACK IN EUROPE!” »
A visibly elated acting Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, met the press on 2 July 2019 in Brussels, and broke the "extraordinary news” of Josep Borrell's nomination by the European Commission as the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. “España ha vuelto a Europa (Spain has retunred to Europe,.” he exclaimed.