https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Spain in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed How is it possible that there can be such a difference between two neighbouring countries so culturally similar, with related Romance languages and tourism-based economies? https://www.thelocal.es/20231102/why-do-portuguese-people-speak-much-better-english-than-spaniards Thu, 02 Nov 2023 11:00:14 +0100 why-do-portuguese-people-speak-much-better-english-than-spaniards The Eurovision Song Contest is famous for celebrating everything from cross-dressing ballad singers to heavy metal bands in monster masks, but geopolitics is threatening its 70th anniversary edition. https://www.thelocal.es/20260426/geopolitics-threatens-70th-anniversary-of-eurovision Sun, 26 Apr 2026 13:03:11 +0200 geopolitics-threatens-70th-anniversary-of-eurovision Spain is the fourth country in the world with the most sites inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage list, just behind Italy, China and Germany, and with so many there's bound to be several you haven't heard of. https://www.thelocal.es/20230929/spains-lesser-known-unesco-world-heritage-sites Fri, 29 Sep 2023 09:03:36 +0200 spains-lesser-known-unesco-world-heritage-sites Spanish singer Rosalia spent her early years training in classrooms, rehearsal spaces and small venues across Barcelona as she developed the voice and style that would define her career. https://www.thelocal.es/20260415/rosalia-caps-journey-from-student-to-star-with-barcelona-concerts Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:17:23 +0200 rosalia-caps-journey-from-student-to-star-with-barcelona-concerts Every year, the small Catalan town of Verges celebrates Easter in a unique way - the hair-raising 'Danza de la Muerte', or Dance of Death. https://www.thelocal.es/20260401/dance-of-death-spanish-holy-weeks-spookiest-celebration Wed, 01 Apr 2026 11:00:01 +0200 dance-of-death-spanish-holy-weeks-spookiest-celebration This year, Barcelona is paying homage to its most iconic architect - Antoni Gaudí - and commemorating the centenary of his death with a whole host of events. Long-time Barcelona resident and travel writer Esme Fox picks out the best. https://www.thelocal.es/20260325/everything-you-need-to-know-about-barcelonas-gaudi-year-2026 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:44:45 +0100 everything-you-need-to-know-about-barcelonas-gaudi-year-2026 To celebrate St. Patrick's Day today, The Local has been delving into Spain's northern region of Galicia to find out what it has in common with Ireland. https://www.thelocal.es/20211103/five-reasons-why-galicia-is-spains-version-of-ireland Wed, 03 Nov 2021 14:27:53 +0100 five-reasons-why-galicia-is-spains-version-of-ireland Whether you're Irish or not, there are plenty of ways to turn green this Paddy's Day in Spain, with celebrations across the country, from Benidorm to Barcelona. https://www.thelocal.es/20260311/where-to-celebrate-st-patricks-day-in-spain Wed, 11 Mar 2026 11:22:44 +0100 where-to-celebrate-st-patricks-day-in-spain British singer Morrissey on Thursday cancelled his concert in Valencia due to "lack of sleep" caused by the noise of the famous Fallas festival, currently underway in the eastern Spanish city. https://www.thelocal.es/20260312/sleepless-morrissey-blames-valencias-noisy-fallas-for-cancelling-concert Thu, 12 Mar 2026 16:17:44 +0100 sleepless-morrissey-blames-valencias-noisy-fallas-for-cancelling-concert A recent survey by the Pew Research Centre delved into what people feel proudest about in their country, with Europeans pointing to history, food and culture among the main reasons. https://www.thelocal.es/20260228/culture-politics-food-what-makes-europeans-proud-of-their-country Sat, 28 Feb 2026 12:49:34 +0100 culture-politics-food-what-makes-europeans-proud-of-their-country Music fans have a lot to look forward to this year as there are big names performing in Spain throughout 2026. Here's a list of some of the most highly anticipated concerts. https://www.thelocal.es/20260224/the-big-concerts-taking-place-in-spain-in-2026 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:44:29 +0100 the-big-concerts-taking-place-in-spain-in-2026 Constructors crowned the largest tower of Barcelona's unfinished Sagrada Familia basilica with a final piece on Friday, setting the peak of the world's tallest church at 172.5 metres (566 feet). https://www.thelocal.es/20260220/barcelonas-sagrada-familia-basilica-hits-peak-height Fri, 20 Feb 2026 15:41:24 +0100 barcelonas-sagrada-familia-basilica-hits-peak-height Spain's veteran singer and cultural icon Julio Iglesias on Friday rejected allegations of abuse lodged against him by two women ex-employees, in a case that has dominated headlines. https://www.thelocal.es/20260116/spanish-singer-julio-iglesias-says-abuse-allegations-absolutely-false Fri, 16 Jan 2026 09:29:37 +0100 spanish-singer-julio-iglesias-says-abuse-allegations-absolutely-false The Spanish woman whose failed restoration of a century-old painting of Jesus Christ captured global headlines more than a decade ago has died at 94. https://www.thelocal.es/20260102/spanish-woman-known-for-failed-monkey-christ-fresco-restoration-dies Fri, 02 Jan 2026 11:05:00 +0100 spanish-woman-known-for-failed-monkey-christ-fresco-restoration-dies In the Netherlands there's no cheery old man from the North Pole with his flying reindeer, there's Sinterklaas from Spain who rides a white horse called Amerigo. https://www.thelocal.es/20221223/why-santa-claus-lives-in-spain-according-to-the-dutch Fri, 23 Dec 2022 11:41:56 +0100 why-santa-claus-lives-in-spain-according-to-the-dutch If there's one music that will be playing in all Spanish households this Christmas it's 'villancicos'. Discover all about some of Spain's most-loved Christmas carols and how they came to be. https://www.thelocal.es/20251224/villancicos-the-origin-of-spanish-christmas-carols Wed, 24 Dec 2025 10:37:35 +0100 villancicos-the-origin-of-spanish-christmas-carols In a small village in the province of Málaga, a mesmerising celebration called 'Los Rondeles' takes place on two different dates in December. https://www.thelocal.es/20251216/los-rondeles-the-most-enchanting-fiesta-before-christmas-in-spain Tue, 16 Dec 2025 11:25:34 +0100 los-rondeles-the-most-enchanting-fiesta-before-christmas-in-spain We asked our readers what’s so special about Christmas in Spain and we received so many comments about your favourite parts of the festive period here. https://www.thelocal.es/20251208/its-about-family-and-not-shopping-why-you-love-christmas-in-spain Mon, 08 Dec 2025 15:07:35 +0100 its-about-family-and-not-shopping-why-you-love-christmas-in-spain British Pathé’s fascinating collection of archive newsreels illustrates how far Spain has come in the last 60 years but also exposes how British reporting on “sun-soaked España” could be comically patronising. https://www.thelocal.es/20180314/spain-in-the-60s-old-footage-video-newsreel-british-pathe Wed, 14 Mar 2018 19:15:41 +0100 spain-in-the-60s-old-footage-video-newsreel-british-pathe If you've lived in Spain for some time you may be very familiar with the lack of witty, good-quality English-language birthday, Christmas and other greeting cards. Worry not, we've broken down the best options for you. https://www.thelocal.es/20231030/where-to-buy-decent-greeting-cards-in-spain Mon, 30 Oct 2023 18:10:08 +0100 where-to-buy-decent-greeting-cards-in-spain