June 2022 – Brian's Spain Domain

Spain and NATO: A brief history of a love/hate relationship

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Spain’s admission into the NATO alliance, and to commemorate it, Madrid is hosting the organization’s summit. And it couldn’t have come at a more delicate time, as the Russian invasion of Ukraine has made it one of the tensest moments in its history. Even so, despite Spain’s participation in some 22 operations over the years, the relationship has always been somewhat of an uneasy one, where support, disinterest and opposition push back and forth. Check out this podcast and learn a little more! Enjoy!

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STAYING COOL IN SUMMERTIME SPAIN

Summer in Madrid, and in Spain for that matter, can be a trying time for those who struggle with non-stop oppressive heat. There are many ways to cool off and keep hydrated, but in today’s podcast we are focusing on a couple of typical drinks (soft drinks) that are popular in Spain, and one that is hard to find, but still worth the effort to locate and try. Listen and enjoy!

Spanish Fiestas: San Antonio de la Florida in Madrid

One of Madrid’s oldest and most traditional fiestas takes place every June at the church of San Antonio de la Florida, where each year women seeking a partner partake in the curious ritual of placing their hand in a basin full of pins and seeing how many stick to it. The number predicts the amount of potential boyfriends they’ll have that year. Maybe one will become their future spouse. Listen to more and learn about the history of this classic Madrid tradition. Enjoy!

Real Madrid and The Champions League: History of a match made in heaven

On May 28, Real Madrid won its 14th Champions League Cup, breaking its own record and widening the gap between it and the next team with the most cups, AC Milan, with 6. This wasn’t Madrid’s finest team, but it managed to pull it off, thus contributing to the belief by some that this team is somehow destined to greatness when it comes to Europe’s most important club competition. Today’s podcast briefly covers the history of Real Madrid and its successful love affair with the Champions League.