Questions and Answers: Volume 39

Questions and Answers: Volume 39

Podcast Transcript February is upon us. It is a time when we in the United States predict the weather on the basis of a rodent seeing its shadow, and we celebrate American presidents by buying linen and mattresses.  We also celebrate romance and sweethearts by honoring a 3rd century Roman bishop who was beheaded.  If …

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Unique Spanish Festivals

Unique Spanish Festivals

Transcript Many communities around the world hold local festivals. They might have some food stalls, a stage for musical acts, and some rides for the kids. Pretty standard stuff. But in Spain, they do things differently. Really different.  Learn more about the unique Spanish festivals which aren’t like those anywhere else in the world, on …

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The Camino de Santiago

The Camino de Santiago

Transcript The Camino de Santiago is one of the most significant and popular pilgrimage routes in the World. For over 1,000 years pilgrims have traveled to the tomb of St. James in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Some do it for religious reasons and some just to have an adventure. Today, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims …

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The Canary Islands

The Canary Islands

Transcript If you think of Spain as the country on the Iberian Peninsula which is sandwiched between France and Portugal, you are not wrong, but you are also not totally right.  There is also a significant part of the country which is located in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Morocco: The Canary Islands.  …

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Spanish Foods

Spanish Foods

Transcript Whenever lists of the world’s great cuisines are published, there is one country which is always at or near the top: Spain.  Yet Spanish cuisine is mostly a collection of regional cuisines from around the country which all fall under the umbrella of “Spanish”. Learn more about Spanish food, its history, and where it …

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The Roman Province of Hispania

The Roman Province of Hispania

Transcript Before Spain became Spain, it was part of the Roman province of Hispania.  To understand the language, and geography of not just Spain but of the entire Iberian Peninsula, you have to understand Hispania.  Learn more about one of the greatest provinces in the Roman empire, and how it created modern Spain on this …

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Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso

Transcript He has been called the most famous artist of the 20th century. His work single-handedly defined an artistic style. He was more loved and criticized than any other artist in history.  He created over 20,000 works, and legend says that he could pay for a meal with just his signature.  Learn more about Pablo …

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The Cortes of Leon of 1188

The Cortes of Leon of 1188

Podcast Transcript In 1188, a historic gathering took place in the city of León, in the Kingdom of León and Galicia.  It was a kingdom-wide assembly convened by King Alfonso IX that brought together nobles, clergy, and town representatives to advise the crown. It is significant because it is the earliest documented European assembly to …

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The Valencia Water Council: The World’s Oldest Democratic Body

The Valencia Water Council: The World’s Oldest Democratic Body

Transcript If you happen to be in Valencia, Spain, on a Thursday, at noon, in front of the cathedral, you might be able to witness the oldest surviving democratic tradition on Earth.  For over 1000 years the Valencia Water Tribunal has been adjudicating water disputes among the farmers of the region.  Learn more about the …

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