Lucía Benavides

Reporter

Lucía Benavides is a Barcelona-based reporter, producer and writer. Originally from Argentina, she was raised in Texas from a young age. She has years of experience in radio reporting, feature writing and international coverage — having filed from Spain, Italy, Ireland, Senegal and Russia. Before Barcelona, Lucía worked at the NPR affiliate in Austin, Texas.

Ships of the US Navy Sixth Fleet visit Barcelona, Spain, in 1956.

How US sailors kicked off Barcelona’s tourism industry in the 1950s

February 18, 2022History

At first, sailors with the US 6th Fleet brought in a flair of modernity and freedom. Over time, public opinion toward their influence in Spain changed.

In Viladrau's town center, where 14 women out of a town of 100 were accused of witchcraft and executed.

Catalonia pardons women accused of witchcraft 400 years ago

February 14, 2022Justice

View of the Cumbre Vieja volcano in the Canary Islands of La Palma, Spain

Residents remember their losses as they rebuild from La Palma’s volcanic eruption

January 12, 2022Natural disasters

An image of male and female legs dancing in the final round of the stage category during the Tango World Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.

Feminist tango collectives take center stage in Argentina

January 10, 2022Music

During the month of December, the Tió de Nadal is placed under a blanket and fed every night. On Christmas Eve, he "poops" out presents.

Barcelona celebrates a very merry ‘scatological’ Christmas

December 22, 2021Culture

Lucía, age 3, records herself on a tape recorder with the help of her mother, Ida.

From Argentina to US to Spain: A personal history told through childhood audio diaries

December 14, 2021Migration

Long forgotten tape cassettes from the first 13 years of her life carry reporter Lucía Benavides back to childhood memories of her original home in Argentina.

How the Beatles inspired a rock revolution in Argentina

November 23, 2021Music

The birth of Argentine rock coincided with a turbulent time in Latin American history when many countries fell under military dictatorships.

Pep González, a longtime mushroom forager, on a hunt for mushrooms in the forest.

Foragers in Catalonia embrace a new mushroom-hunting season after last year’s strict lockdown

October 22, 2021Food

This year, mushroom-hunting season is more anticipated than ever after last year’s strict quarantine measures kept most people in their own municipalities for the entire winter. The tradition is particularly strong in the northeast region of Catalonia.

A demonstrator holds a paper doll representing regional Catalan President Quim Torra, as they celebrate a holiday known as "Dia de la Hispanidad" or Spain's National Day in Barcelona, Spain, Oct. 12, 2019. Spain commemorates Christopher Columbus' arrival

Biden proclaimed Oct. 11 Indigenous Peoples’ Day. But Spain still honors Columbus as part of its National Day.

October 11, 2021History

The holiday celebrates Spanish national pride. But many scholars say it marks the start of one of the biggest genocides in history.

A worker cleans the ash from the tables of a restaurant as lava flows from a volcano on the Canary island of La Palma, Spain on Monday, Oct. 4, 2021.

Spain vows to help rebuild La Palma after devastating volcano eruption

October 4, 2021Infrastructure

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced approval for a $239 million recovery plan for La Palma during his third visit to the island since the volcano erupted.