Blog - politics

Obama Takes Politics to the Next Level

Is it me or have we reached a defining moment in American politics and history? We’ve just had the first real discussion on race relations since the 60s...

photo of the day

Obama

In the midst of his first "scandal" the race question intensifies. Can Barack Obama take us beyond black and white?

Politics - Elections

MAP's Own Election Monitor Deems Democracy Safe and PP Bocadillos Superior

The pink envelopes won’t fit in the ballot box anymore...

photo of the day

Big Wig Pig

Saturday Night was the official CRDI political event. Pigs descended on a local venue in Malasaña to rally for their leader. The photo captures the CRDI candidate as he arrived in a white stretch limo giving the standard pig salute. For more information see the story by Karina Stenquist with photos by Kike.

Spanish History in Art - Dos de Mayo

Why do We Riot? Exhibit on Dos de Mayo

If you were here on the 2nd of May last year (2007), you’ll remember the riots in the barrio of Malasaña: hooded activists lobbing stones and lighting fires, police in combat...

politics - fighting breaks out in Central Madrid

Riots in Lavapiés

Concern about coinciding rightist and leftist protests in the neighborhood of Tirso de Molina turned out to be justified. The resulting confrontation unleashed...

Photo of the day

Another Protest Today

Today (March 1) in Sol at 18:00 there will be another protest regarding housing prices. For more info see http://www.vdevivienda.net/.

Photo of the Day

Immigration Rally

Photo by Karina Stenquist. For a report on Saturday's Immigrant Rally see Karina's article.

Immigrants' Rights Network Holds First Protests in Run-up to Elections

As the elections here in Spain come creeping up on March 9th (often referred to in the press by the shorthand as 9M, much like the terrorist attacks are 11M, giving elections an odd catastrophic ring to them) the economy has become a rallying point for the Partido Popular, who, until recently, were not seen as a threat to the governing socialist party. And as is true of the political debate in almost any economic slowdown, someone's finger inevitably ends up pointed at immigrants- as a drain on welfare, as a downward push on wages, as an easy scapegoat for almost any problem...

politics - Immigrant Rally

The Immigrant Voice

The elections are intensifying the focus on an already urgent situation – that of immigration in Spain. Rajoy’s unveiling of his plan to deal with the issue earlier this month caused a stir due to its content as well as its ambiguity. The immigrant community will speak for...

Spanish politics - the immigrant contract

The Immigrant Contract: Integrate or Vacate

By John Kernis
Madrid – Mariano Rajoy’s new electoral promise to institute an “integration contract” for all foreigners in Spain has brought froth to the political...

Photo of the day

The Epic Battle of Church and State

The Battle of Church and State intensifies as election day draws nearer. The CNT-sponsored poster reads, "Religion out of the School! For an education that is secular, scientific and rational."

politics and art

Anne Frank Spanish Musical Sings of Holocaust - the Happier Version

It's easier to hide from Nazis while wearing a buttercup yellow dress and belting showtunes. Or so Madrid’s own Teatro Calderón...

Politics - Super Tuesday

Super Tuesday: Has Hillary Come Down with Acute Gore-atitis?

In spite her phenomenal political momentum, could Super Tuesday become "Super Lose-Day" for Hillary Clinton? We won’t begin to know the answer for several hours. In the mean time, we don’t have...

Photo of the day

Obama for yo Mama

Jenny Pro Shows her support at the Democrats Abroad Super Tuesday party. See article for details.

Blog - Politics

Spanish Elections: How Much for a Vote?

The Partido Socialista Obrero Español (PSOE) headed by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has come under fire recently for proposing a very unsocialist one-off...

photo of the day

The Election Game

As the Spanish elections approach, the game intensifies. Each side gambles by proposing tax incentives. Is this a case of legit economic stimulus or "escondido" (hidden) vote buying? See today's blog for details.

Photo by Jacobo de Castro. For more Madrid photos and writing by Jacobo see his blogs 1, 2, and 3.

politics - Super Tuesday

Election 2008: How do I Vote from Abroad?

Are you a left-leaning, politically involved American expat living in Madrid? Are you all hyped up about this year's presidential election? Have you been following the debates on Youtube? Reading all the pundits' analyses? Jabbering about...

Photo of the day

Voting to Save the Universe

Uncle Sam with flags coming out his ears, a woman in an American flag burka, and Evel Knievel? Hey kids, let's all vote before it gets any worse!

review of December

While You were Out...

Welcome back! Madrid’s international population dipped a bit during December as everyone flew here or there to do this or that. We truly hope your livers and your bank accounts survived the season. Ours did - more or less. Come on, what’s a bit of sclerosis and debt, it’s the f%&king holidays! Anyway, the elves at MAP were busy the whole while happily writing away. Here is a quick update. Spanish current events were...

politics and religion

The "God Issue" Religion and Politics in 2008

As the seemingly interminable election process in the US reaches its first milestone with Obama and Huckabee securing victories in Iowa, religion is, once again, rearing its head as a central issue. Spain often views...

exhibit - photojournalism

Life after Land Mines

With the current anti-land-mine budget, it would take as many as 1,000 years to dismantle the millions of land mines planted across the world. This is just one of the facts that lodges itself in your mind as you visit the “Vidas Minadas” exposition at the Instituto Cervantes. The exhibit, covering the horror of land mines throughout the world, is based on the book of the same title. This is the latest contibution by the...

food - culture, history

Spain - Land Of The Rabbits

No doubt about it, Spain is getting pricey. According to Que!, a local newspaper in Madrid, since the change from pesetas to euros the cost of daily items has increased significantly–most notably the price of bread, which has shot up 100% in cost. Of course, nothing hits the pocket harder than the holiday season; but above stuffing stockings...

Spanish moms make erotic calendar

Spanish Moms Get "Sextra-Curricular"

A group of moms in Salamanca, Spain have posed for an erotic calendar in order to get a real rise–in funding! These Castillian MILFS are getting purchase orders from Italy to Venezuela, all in the name of building an activity center for their kids. How about them manzanas?...

politics and health - AIDS

World AIDS Day

Although many have grown complacent thinking that AIDS is yesteryear’s concern, the statistics don’t agree. And while your reflexive rebuttal might be “Well at least it isn’t getting worse”, the numbers once again would contradict you. Hence taking a moment today, World AIDS Day, to reflect on the situation isn’t a bad idea. The truth is that as of 2006 39.5 million people worldwide were living with HIV/AIDS. Putting that in perspective it’s a number roughly equal to the entire Spanish population...

politics/history - Photography exhibit

An Entire War Stuffed into a Suitcase

How we see the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) today is greatly influenced by a suitcase, a Leica and 36 years of patience. Centro Cultural Conde Duque has organised an exhibit on Agustí Centelles, photographer of cabarets, nightlife and ad campaigns...

politics - Shopping and its consequences

Buy Nothing Day - The Ultimate Slacker Holiday

Ever lived smack dab in the center of Madrid during the Christmas season? If so, you, no doubt, have fought with all your self-control not to freak out and scream at the crowds who descend like a plague on the Sol area and manage to make it impossible to simply cross the plaza and get into...

politics - protests

Would-be Riots Between Left and Right Avoided

Saturday the center of the city from Gran Via to Sol looked more like a police state the usual hub of weekend shopping. Hundreds of police officers in riot gear established themselves mid-afternoon in anticipation of the 16:30 rallies to...

cinema - festivals and flicks

Three Film Festivals and More!

As the weather turns cold, it’s always good to have film weekend. This weekend there is no shortage of festivals and flicks. Madrid (and neighboring Alcalá de Henares) offers a full spectrum of possibilities. For those interested in the Spanish scene, there is El Festival de Cine de Alcalá (Alcalá Film Festival). Focusing on short films by young directors, this event offers a smorgasbord...

politics - Naomi Klein's Newest book

Subversive Author, Naomi Klein, Presents "The Shock Doctine"

The seminal author, Naomi Klein, will be in Madrid tonight to discuss her newest book "The Shock Doctrine" . While the work investigates notions of "free-market" economies in response to horrific events such as terrorist attacks or natural disasters, the work has numerous connections to the Spanish-speaking world. True, Klein spends a section of the work condemning the Spanish government’s response to the Madrid bombings in 2004, but she also teamed up with Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron to adapt the book into a ten-minute cinematic short that...

Photo of the Day

Bikers Overrun City

Photo by Quico López

See Article

Activism - Bicicritica (Critical Mass)

Madrid’s Bicicritica (Critical Mass) Encourages Us to "Go play in traffic!"

Hundreds of cyclists dangerously navigate the streets of Madrid every day. We’ve become accustomed to thinking of these two-wheeled warriors as loners - desperados valiantly risking...

Photo of the Day

Petal Power

Photo by Quico López

photo of the Day

Ending Poverty

Deomonstrators on Sunday marched to end poverty - many carried signs questioning international debt, consumption and the balance of power.

Politics - March to End Poverty

Keeping Politicians Accountable - An estimated 50,000 March to End Poverty

Today at high noon, as many as 50,000 Madrileños, clad in white, will march to end poverty. The concept of the march, whose motto is “Zero Pobreza, Ya!” (Zero Poverty Now!)...

Photo of the day

Delicate Worlds

Photo by Lindsey Rose Inman
According to the U.S. Census Bureau report World Population Profile: 2002 (2004), In more developed countries the mortality rate was ten per one thousand live births for children under five; in less developed countries the under-five rate was eighty-five per one thousand live births.

SEPE Tackles Horse Abuse in Spain

MAP Magazine Adopts a Horse!

For those of you who caught yesterdays “Daily Dose”, you will remember that it was about an art exhibition devoted to the bum, yes, the gluteus maximus. Likewise today’s article is about “asses” but of a very different sort. Today we are talking about “asses”; i.e., donkeys as well as other equine animals such as mules and horses. All this comes about because the fellows behind MAPmagazine.com are now proud horse papas. Yes, we adopted a horse named Malagueña. As with many adoptions, the story behind Malagueña is, to say the least, unfortunate...

photo of the day

Would You Want a License Plate Strapped to Your Forehead?

In this case it isn't Don Quijote, it's Donkey Jodido! The plight of donkeys, mules and horses in Spain is receiving more media attention, but perhaps not enough. The end of the summer brought a whole new slew of criticisms against the donkey operators in the pueblo of Mijas – famous for it general quaintness and specifically for its old-fashion donkey taxis. Most complaints focused on the ill-fitting tack (horse equipment), abusive reprimands, and the fact that their necks are lashed to long poles inhibiting movement for long periods of time. MAPmagazine.com has decided to do our part by adopting a horse named Malaguena – see story.

Politics - A Solution to Nationalism?

A New Political Party is Born

In Spain, a country the size of Texas, many wonder how so many linguistic and political divisions could possibly exit: Basque, Catalan, Galician, etc. Furthermore, given that they do exist, one often asks “Isn’t a solution on the horizon?” Well, perhaps...

News - Terrorism

ETA Bomb Defused

In the early hours of Monday, security forces defused a 180-pound car bomb placed outside a government building in the Rioja region. An anonymous phone call Sunday night tipped off police saying that the device was, in fact, planted by ETA. This should come as no surprise as ETA has been more active in recent weeks. Last year the massive December 30th bomb tore through the Madrid airport parking garage demolishing three to four floors of the structure and shattering hope of ongoing peace negotiations...

News

Madrid Hosts International Environmental Conference

This week Madrid is host to a major international forum on the dangers of desertification. The Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) began in 1994 in Paris and its 191 member nations send representative every two years to conferences in various host cities around the world. According to Prince Felipe of Spain, who addressed the 2000 delegates, the issue is, “…amongst the greatest challenges that humankind faces."

Feature on the Politics of Cycling

Bici Crítica: Riding with the Renegades!

For many, bicycles are the ultimate form of transport; however, riding one in Madrid is often the ultimate form of insanity. With few bike lanes, crazed motorists, and shoulder-width sidewalks, a quick trip to the office usually has more in common with adrenaline sports than a simple commute. But don’t fret, the revolution has begun. Bici Crítica, a Madrid-based collective, dedicated to supporting cyclists in the city, is on the scene...

Politics

Sexual Tension?

Last week the conservatives and the liberals were again squaring off on the topic of… sex. Apparently, at the opposition-controlled city hall the firewall is configured to prevent people from doing Internet searches containing words such as “sex” and “sexuality”.

Culture and Politics

Madrid Celebrates 60 Years of Indian Independence

On August 15 from 9pm to midnight, Plaza Mayor will be rocking to traditional and modern Indian beats as the Indian Embassy in Madrid celebrates 60 years of Indian Independence.

Photography

The Personal is the Political: HIV Sufferers in Africa and Central America

I’m an absolute sucker for real-life photography. But I almost feel guilty going to ‘look at’ someone’s private life a photographer is publicly exhibiting. However, when it’s an awareness or fund raising exercise done in conjunction with a charity organization, it’s valid; Omar Ayyashi’s exhibition of people with HIV in Mozambique and Honduras is a perfect example.

Super Hard Hitting News

Punk Rock Extremists Threaten Destruction of All “Discotecas”

“Death to disco” seems to be the new mantra of an “extremist” group promoting punk rock culture. To this end they have organized a pair of concerts this weekend – Friday and Saturday.

News Flash

God Save the Smurf – the New Spanish Anthem

Are the lyrics for the Spanish national anthem really the same as those for the famed Smurf song: La la lala la la… Strangely enough it’s true. While the Brits valorize the Queen (God Save the Queen!) and the Americans, of course, go on and on about war (the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air…), the Spanish are Smurfin’ it up with “la la” lyrics.

From our former site

Democrats Abroad 4th of July Party!

I was born in the USA! I was born in the USA! I was born in the USA! Uh, are there any other lyrics to that song? Eh, it doesn't matter. I was born in the USA!... Oh, yeah..right. Check out this video from the American Democrats Abroad Fourth of ...

From our former site

Sebastiao Salgado - Photography of Africa

To many people Sebastiao Salgado is photography...

From our former site

Madrid Inmigrante Exposicion at Consejeria Cultura y Deportes

Madrid Inmigrante Exhibit Consejeria de Cultura y Deportes, Canal de Isabel II Santa Engracia, 125 T: 91 545 10 00 Tues-Sat: 11-14 &17 -20:30; Sundays 11-2; Mon Closed Metro: Rios Rosas, Canal, Alonso Cano Immigration Through Another Lens If ...

From our former site

Riots in Madrid - Botellon Sparks Confrontation with Police in Plaza Dos de Mayo

We spoke too soon! Contrary to our predictions yesterday, rioting did erupt last night after the peaceful May Day gathering in Plaza Lavapiès. It should be noted that the confrontation, leaving a total of 20 civilians and police injured, took pla...

From our former site

Protest - May Day in Madrid

Do These People Look Threatening? Depending on your background, which could be anything from traditional to neo-pagan to communist, “May Day” is bound to mean very different things. Tuesday, I didn’t notice my neighbors skipping around delivering...

From our former site

Photography Exhibit: The Mara - Casa de Las Americas

Exhibit: Mara Artist: Isabel Muñoz Casa de Las Americas Plaza de Cibeles, 2 T: 91 595 48 00   www.casamerica.es Documenting Life in Prison Standing before Isabel Muñoz’s dwarfing, black and white portraits of prisoners leaves you not only spee...

Earth Day Madrid Spain

Earth Day March

Cambiar de Vida no de Clima! Not long after the IPCC (International Panel on Climate Change) released its most recent and damaging report on the environmental crisis, Madrid reacted with a manifestation. The Earth Day march started in the Plaza...

Jazz clubs in Madrid

Café El Despertar - Jazz Club

Café El Despertar Torrecilla Del Leal, 18 Metro: Antón Martin and Lavapies Daily except Tues: 19:00 to 2:30 El Despertar (the wake up) looks as though it has done just that – woken up Rip Van Winkle style after having slumbered for decades. It ...