Spain

Small canoes piled next to each other on a waterway

'I put myself in their shoes': Migrants to Europe find empathy on a small island

While most of Europe is getting tough on migrants and asylum-seekers, residents on one Canary island are taking a more friendly approach to newcomers. The people of El Hierro, part of the Spanish archipelago, say they can relate to the long journey many people make in search of a better life — because it reflects their own recent history.

'I put myself in their shoes': Migrants to Europe find empathy on a small island
Children stand in front of the building of the Peruvian Congress as part of a call to demand accountability for cancer patients in Peru, September 2023.

Desperate cancer patients in Peru look for options across the Atlantic

Desperate cancer patients in Peru look for options across the Atlantic
Nolotil painkillers are still prescribed in Spain, but is banned in many other countries.

‘People are dying’: A popular painkiller in Spain may have killer side effects

‘People are dying’: A popular painkiller in Spain may have killer side effects
Lower reservoir on El Hierro island

Spanish island dumps diesel for wind, water and sunshine

Spanish island dumps diesel for wind, water and sunshine
A Catalan pro-independence protestor wearing an Estelada, or Catalan independence mask, stands in front of police, not seen, during a protest in Barcelona, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019.

In Spain, the price for power? Forgiving separatists.

In Spain, the price for power? Forgiving separatists.
musical group in field

Spanish musician María José Llergo turns roots into wings with ‘Ultrabelleza’

​​​​​​​The Spanish artist María José Llergo has just released her first full-length album, called “Ultrabelleza.” Her voice carries the legacy of flamenco, the traditional music of her homeland, but on this new record, her roots have turned into wings, allowing her to explore other genres.

Spanish musician María José Llergo turns roots into wings with ‘Ultrabelleza’
C. Tangana YouTube screenshot.

This Spanish hip-hop star is stepping into global music

Ever heard of Celtic Trap? It’s not exactly a thing yet, but it might be soon thanks to C. Tangana in the mix.

This Spanish hip-hop star is stepping into global music
COWS GRAZING ON A FARM WITH A GEEEN MOUNTAIN LANDSCAPE

Cow plague threatening ranches in southern Europe

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, or EHD, is typically found in the tropics and affects cattle, deer and other animals. But due to abnormally high temperatures in Europe, cases are now spreading quickly across Spain, Italy and France. The virus causes internal bleeding, miscarriages and sterility. It's rarely fatal, but ranchers are concerned for their animals and livelihoods.

Cow plague threatening ranches in southern Europe
The main rule of "walking soccer" is no running.

‘Walking soccer’ trend in Spain keeps people of all ages in the game

Soccer is a sport with lots of contact – and injuries. But imagine the game played much slower. In Barcelona, “walking soccer” allows soccer lovers of all ages to continue playing the game.

‘Walking soccer’ trend in Spain keeps people of all ages in the game
cows in the wild

Rewilding in Spain brings back ancient bovine

Rewilding Spain has reintroduced “back-bred” cattle from nearly 10,000 years ago. They hope the aurochs roaming here once again benefits the environment as well as the economy.

Rewilding in Spain brings back ancient bovine
Montserrat Abbey’s mixed Escoliana choir has young women and men. They’ll sing the liturgy one weekend a month, so that the regular all-boys choir can have some time off with family.

Spain all-boys choir finds a new tune and admits girls

After more than 700 uninterrupted years of boys-only belting, Spain’s La Escolania de Montserrat Choir is finally mixing things up. Beginning this September, a select group of girls will be allowed to join the boys at the altar, singing the liturgy at Saturday afternoon and Sunday masses. Choir organizers are calling it a revolution.

Spain all-boys choir finds a new tune and admits girls
People affected by an earthquake camp outside their homes, in Moulay Brahim village, near Marrakech, Morocco, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. 

'Organizing chaos': Moroccans in Spain send aid convoys home after devastating earthquake

Moroccans continue digging out victims from this month’s 6.8-magnitude earthquake in the Atlas Mountains. The death toll now stands at nearly 3,000 people. Many more have been left homeless. Morocco’s government has so far only accepted aid from a handful of countries, but Moroccans overseas are stepping up. In Spain, they’re collecting supplies to send to victims, but it isn’t always easy.

'Organizing chaos': Moroccans in Spain send aid convoys home after devastating earthquake
shack

Formerly homeless American in Barcelona helps others get off the streets

​​​​​​​Some years back, an American in Spain became homeless after a string of bad luck. Now, he’s helping others who’ve hit a similar rough spot. Especially other foreigners with an entrepreneurial spirit.

Formerly homeless American in Barcelona helps others get off the streets
Screenshot from "Cape Flats Kung Fu" by Eavesdrop.

'Planet Hip Hop': The music will always be the voice of the people, Samy Alim says

As we wrap up “Planet Hip Hop,” our summer series celebrating 50 years of hip-hop music around the world, H. Samy Alim returns to talk with host Marco Werman about the next 50 years. Alim is an anthropology professor and the director of the Hip Hop Initiative at UCLA. 

'Planet Hip Hop': The music will always be the voice of the people, Samy Alim says
Woman takes a picture of a sunset at a park.

Barcelona gets bombarded by selfie-taking tourists

Spain’s on the rebound with tourism after huge losses during the pandemic. Those in the tourism business are relieved. But visitors are back with a vengeance and they’re not always well-behaved, irking locals who miss the quieter days.

Barcelona gets bombarded by selfie-taking tourists