An informative diplomatic publication of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2008. N˚8. www.maec.es
60˚ Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
On December 10, 1948, three years after the end of the Second World War, the General Assembly of the United Nations approved a historic text. This text has inspired many national constitutions, including that of Spain. Major normative developments that have taken place in all fields are also due to this fundamental text, one filled with potent symbolic value and an undeniable legal interest. Ban Ki Moon: “The Declaration upholds something that we all now take for granted: that dignity and equality are inherent in all human beings”
FOREIGN AFFAIRS > New challenges to consular action > Consular emergency culminates in an unprecedented operation > Spanish presidency of the Council of Europe > Spanish embassy in New Zealand SOCIETY AND CULTURE > The ‘Golden Age’ of Spanish sport > Paradores, treasures of Spanish heritage > Grifols, an international name in health COOPERATION > Efficient water management in Morocco INTERVIEW > Nuria Espert, a life dedicated to theater
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the facts and the image EVENT
DATE
IMPORTANT ANNIVERSARY
3.617
27
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The budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation for 2009 is 5.96% higher compared to 2008.
Spain assumed the Presidency of the Council of Europe through May of next year. The decisions made by this institution affect 800 million people in 47 countries.
January 1 of next year will mark the commemoration of Spain and Portugal entering the European Economic Community.
millions of euros
The image
November
anniversary of Spain's joining the European Economic Community
PHOTO EFE
Finally, Barcelona will become the headquarters of the Mediterranean Union. The Palace of Pedralbes, made available by the Generalitat (Autonomous Government of Catalonia), will welcome the Permanent Secretariat as the organization's headquarters in a decision ratified in Marseille on November 4 by the foreign affairs ministers of the 43 countries in the organization. The Permanent Secretariat will occupy the east wing of the palace, which it will share with the Museum of Ceramics and Decorative Arts. In doing so it will also revitalize this palace donated to King Alfonso XIII in 1919 and reopened as the Royal Palace in 1924.
editorial staff > Director: Julio Albi de la Cuesta. Editor-in-Chief: JosĂŠ Bodas. Art Director and Editor: Javier HernĂĄndez. Editorial staff: Beatriz Beeckmans and David Merino. management > General Directorate of Foreign Communication. Serrano Galvache, 26. 28033 MADRID. A publication of the General Directorate of Foreign Communication of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Communication. Full or partial reproduction is forbidden without the express permission of the editor. InfoMiradas al Exterior takes no responsibility for the editorial content nor for the opinions expressed by the authors. e-mail contact > opinion.miradas@maec.es
summary 3
foreign affairs
front cover 6 > 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the embryo of many national constitutions, including Spain's, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
cooperation
16 > New challenges in consular work 20 > Spanish Embassy in New Zealand: the antipodes are closer24 > Con-
sular emergency culminates in an unprecedented operation, with the repatriation of Spanish citizens following the events in Bombay and Bangkok. 28 > Ibero-America approves a common plan to draw up youth policies 32 > Alex Grijelmo, President of the Efe Agency, reveals his passion for language
34 > The AECID develops projects for effective water management in Morocco
culture and society
36 > John Holmes: “The world financial crisis must not have an effect on the flow of humanitarian aid”
interview 34 > Paradores, treasures of Spanish heritage
34 > Nuria Espert, a life dedicated to theatre: “I'm not exactly an opera director, but rather an actress who directs.” “When I feel truly good is when I'm acting. Everything else is simply accessory"
42 > The ‘Golden Age’ of Spanish sport46 > Iberian ham conquers the international markets 50 > Grifols, an international health trademark58 > Floridablanca, the great reformer of the 14th century
editorial board > President: Undersecretary of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. First deputy chair: Director General for Foreign Communication. Second deputy chair: Technical Secretary General. Members: Cabinet Chiefs of the State Department of Foreign Affairs, the State Department for International Cooperation, State Department for the European Union, State Department for Latin America, and the Cabinet of the Secretary General of the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development.
editorial
ESPAÑA EN EL EXTERIOR CONOZCA SU EMBAJADA La política comercial Berlín, nuestra española en el extranjero representación ante la Presidencia alemana Año Jubilar Lebaniego de la UE
ACCIÓN EXTERIOR España preside en el 2007 la OSCE
ENTREVISTA A ALBERTO CORAZÓN “El diseño es un componente esencial de nuestra cultura”
miradas
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Octubre-Diciembre 2006 N˚0. 4º trimestre www.maec.es Distribución gratuita
-).)34%2)/ $% !35.4/3 %84%2)/2%3 9 $% #//0%2!#) .
REVISTA DE INFORMACIÓN DIPLOMÁTICA DEL MINISTERIO DE ASUNTOS EXTERIORES Y DE COOPERACIÓN
LA INMIGRACIÓN SE HA CONVERTIDO EN EL PRINCIPAL PROBLEMA PARA LOS ESPAÑOLES SEGÚN EL CIS
INMIGRACIÓN la realidad que cambiará
ESPAÑA EN EL EXTERIOR El potencial turístico El Cantar del Mio Cid
SU EMBAJADA Moscú, 30 años de relaciones diplomáticas
ACCIÓN EXTERIOR CULTURA ARCO’07, 26 2007, Año años abriendo de España caminos al arte en China
miradas
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al exterior
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Enero-Marzo 2007 N˚1. 1º trimestre www.maec.es Distribución gratuita
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REVISTA DE INFORMACIÓN DIPLOMÁTICA DEL MINISTERIO DE ASUNTOS EXTERIORES Y DE COOPERACIÓN
ORIENTE PRÓXIMO
Una esperanza para la paz
el mundo
> ACCIÓN EXTERIOR Afganistán > CONOZCA SU EMBAJADA Vietnam, la segunda economía en crecimiento mundial > ESPAÑA EN EL EXTERIOR Campofrío, una empresa con vocación internacional > CULTURA Soria cumple cien años de la llegada de Antonio Machado > EL PERFIL Miguel de la Quadra-Salcedo > COOPERACIÓN Escuelas Taller, 10 años con el desarrollo > ENTREVISTA Pedro Alonso, un investigador español en la vanguardia de la medicina
miradas
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REVISTA DE INFORMACIÓN DIPLOMÁTICA DEL MINISTERIO DE ASUNTOS EXTERIORES Y DE COOPERACIÓN
ESPAÑA Y LA UE mirando al futuro
ARTÍCULOS DE ARTURO AVELLÓ Y JESÚS ATIENZA ANÁLISIS DE LOS FLUJOS MIGRATORIOS
ANÁLISISUn Servicio Exterior para el siglo XXI
España e Iberoamérica Entre la tradición y la modernidad
> ACCIÓN EXTERIOR España comprometida con los Balcanes > CONOZCA SU EMBAJADA México, una historia compartida > ESPAÑA EN EL EXTERIOR Navantia, un referente en la construcción naval internacional > CULTURA Atapuerca, el origen de los primeros europeos > Premios Príncipe de Asturias > COOPERACIÓN La cooperación española y los pueblos indígenas > ENTREVISTA Pau Gasol: “El cariño de la gente es la gran recompensa al trabajo”
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al exterior
Análisis > DARFUR ¿UN CONFLICTO SIN FINAL?
miradas al exterior
GOBIERNO DE ESPAÑA
MINISTERIO DE ASUNTOS EXTERIORES Y DE COOPERACIÓN
Julio-Septiembre 2007 N˚3. 3º trimestre www.maec.es
REVISTA DE INFORMACIÓN DIPLOMÁTICA DEL MINISTERIO DE ASUNTOS EXTERIORES Y DE COOPERACIÓN
> EXTERIOR 365 días de Presidencia de la OSCE
> MISCELÁNEA El Palacio de Viana recobra su esplendor
> CULTURA > ECONOMÍA Vinos de La Rioja, Hércules, el faro romano más prestigio antiguo del mundo internacional
miradas
Now, two years on, we are entering a new era marked by a redesign of our pages, including some new developments in the news strategy of our publications and, above all, the Infomiradas al Exterior newsletter. The first edition came out on November 26 this year and aims to provide up-to-date information on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
GOBIERNO DE ESPAÑA
MINISTERIO DE ASUNTOS EXTERIORES Y DE COOPERACIÓN
Octubre-Diciembre 2007 N˚4. 4º trimestre www.maec.es
REVISTA DE INFORMACIÓN DIPLOMÁTICA DEL MINISTERIO DE ASUNTOS EXTERIORES Y DE COOPERACIÓN
DIPLOMACIA ´ PUBLICA UNA PUERTA ABIERTA AL MUNDO
LA APUESTA DE ESPAÑA POR LA
COOPERACIÓN Análisis > EUROPA AVANZA DE NUEVO
43 meses después la cooperación al desarrollo alcanzará la cifra de 4.000 millones de euros invertidos. La previsión para el 2008 es la de superar los 5.000 millones de euros y alcanzar el 0,5% de nuestra Renta Nacional Bruta
‘Miradas al Exterior’ one of MAEC's voices to the world This edition of Miradas al Exterior marks the second anniversary of a publication that, over the last two years, has established itself as a reference tool for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation's public communication policy, with more than 14,000 copies distributed worldwide as well as the English and French translated versions.
> ENTREVISTA Isabel Muñoz: “La fotografía es un reto constante”
al exterior
FOTOGRAFÍA CEDIDA POR JAVIER BAULUZ
4
Cooperation, as well as become a first-rate communication tool for all civil servants involved in Spanish foreign affairs. Infomiradas al Exterior was created with the objective of reinforcing the reporting work done by Miradas al Exterior since its inception, and with a resolute goal of pulling together the news that flows from the various departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. Every three weeks Infomiradas provides up-to-date news, facts and references on the work being done both in the ministry itself and in our embassies and consulates. In short, it's everyone's tool, for everyone. We welcome all types of suggestions and contributions in our goal
to improve the MAEC's public communications. Infomiradas al Exterior is distributed via e-mail and is available to all citizens on the internet at www.maec.es. After two years and eight editions, the Miradas al Exterior magazine has established itself as a publication that not only aims to be the informal voice of our ministry, but also tries to contribute to the democratization of Spanish foreign policy and keep all corners of the globe up-to-the-minute on day-to-day happenings in Spain. In order to achieve this, we rely, among other contributions, on the opinions of our readers, which are shown in the results of a recent survey. Once we became
editorial 5
> EXTERIOR Embajada de España en Kinshasa
> ECONOMÍA Inditex, una multinacional en expansión
> CULTURA Almadén, antes y después del mercurio
> COOPERACIÓN > ENTREVISTA Victor Gª de la Concha: Cierre al mayor “Nuestro lema sería la basurero de Iberoamérica unidad del español”
miradas al exterior
GOBIERNO DE ESPAÑA
MINISTERIO DE ASUNTOS EXTERIORES Y DE COOPERACIÓN
Enero-Marzo 2008 N˚5. 1º trimestre www.maec.es
REVISTA DE INFORMACIÓN DIPLOMÁTICA DEL MINISTERIO DE ASUNTOS EXTERIORES Y DE COOPERACIÓN
> EXTERIOR Cumbre UE-ALC, 9 años de Asociación Estratégica
> ECONOMÍA Indra, una empresa líder mundial en tecnología
> CULTURA Camino de Santiago, 1.200 años caminando juntos
> LA ENTREVISTA El atletismo español hace su puesta a punto para Pekín'08
miradas
> EXTERIOR Embajada de España en Canadá
> DIPLOMACIA Madrid acogió la V Conferencia de Embajadores
al exterior
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> LA ENTREVISTA Rafael Canogar: "He buscado un lenguaje universal"
> ECONOMÍA Calzado Camper, un estilo de vida
miradas
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MINISTERIO DE ASUNTOS EXTERIORES Y DE COOPERACIÓN
Abril-Junio 2008 N˚6. 2º trimestre www.maec.es
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REVISTA DE INFORMACIÓN DIPLOMÁTICA DEL MINISTERIO DE ASUNTOS EXTERIORES Y DE COOPERACIÓN
> EXTERIOR Embajada de España en India -).)34%2)/ $% !35.4/3 %84%2)/2%3 9 $% #//0%2!#) .
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MINISTERIO DE ASUNTOS EXTERIORES Y DE COOPERACIÓN
Julio-Septiembre 2008 N˚7. 3º trimestre www.maec.es -).)34%2)/ $% !35.4/3 %84%2)/2%3 9 $% #//0%2!#) .
REVISTA DE INFORMACIÓN DIPLOMÁTICA DEL MINISTERIO DE ASUNTOS EXTERIORES Y DE COOPERACIÓN
ESPAÑA EN LAS
MISIONES DE PAZ
EL MINISTRO DE ASUNTOS EXTERIORES Y DE COOPERACIÓN REFLEXIONA EN UNA ENTREVISTA SOBRE LAS LINEAS ESTRATÉGICAS DE LA POLITICA EXTERIOR ESPAÑOLA Y LOS GRANDES RETOS INTERNACIONALES
EXPO
ZARAGOZA 2008
COOPERACIÓN Y DIPLOMACIA PÚBLICA SE COMPROMETEN CON LA GESTIÓN DEL AGUA Y EL DESARROLLO SOSTENIBLE
Análisis > Aspectos esenciales de la acción consular
MORATINOS Una visión de la política ‛
Junto a las Naciones Unidas, España participa en prevención de conflictos y en aspectos civiles de la reconstrucción
exterior española
Oriente Medio está iniciando un ciclo de esperanza
‛
Europa necesita una voz única en el mundo
‛
Tenemos una estrategia global con África
w
Análisis > UFI, españoles en Organismos Internacionales
Revista de Información Diplomática del Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y de Cooperación OCTUBRE-DICIEMBRE 2008. N˚8. www.maec.es
60˚ Aniversario de la Declaración Universal de los Derechos Humanos
El 10 de diciembre de 1948, tres años después del fin de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas aprobaba un texto histórico. En él se han inspirado numerosas Constituciones nacionales, entre ellas la española. El importante desarrollo normativo que ha seguido en todos los ámbitos, se debe también a este texto fundamental, de fuerte valor simbólico y de un indiscutible interés jurídico. Ban Ki Moon: “La Declaración constata algo que actualmente damos por sentado: la dignidad y la igualdad son inherente a todos los seres humanos”
ACCIÓN EXTERIOR > Nuevos retos de la acción consular > Emergencia consular culmina un operativo sin precedentes > Presidencia española del Consejo de Europa > Embajada de España en Nueva Zelanda SOCIEDAD Y CULTURA > La ‘Edad de Oro’ del deporte español > Paradores, tesoros de nuestro Patrimonio > Grifols, una marca internacional de salud COOPERACIÓN > La gestión eficaz del agua en Marruecos LA ENTREVISTA > Nuria Espert, una vida dedicada al teatro
Over the last two years, ‘Miradas al Exterior’ has established itself as a reference tool for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation's public communication policy, with more than 14,000 copies aware of these opinions, we tried distributed with articles written by importo condense all of the answers worldwide. tant authors. And all this will be into a series of changes. We enhanced with a more visual, began by grouping the informaentertaining and straightforward tion into five central themes that The ‘Infomiralayout. will appear in every issue: Front das al exterior’ Cover, Foreign Affairs, Coopera- newsletter was In short, the Ministry of Foreign created on tion, Culture and Society, and Affairs and Cooperation's public November 26 Interview. communication publishing house of this year to is being strengthened with three provide up-toAs an example of this internews formats: our quarterly date informaest, and in light of the fact that Miradas al Exterior magazine, tion on the work the Infomiradas al Exterior Miradas al Exterior must serve as a vehicle to provide a greater being done in newsletter and the Miradas al knowledge of Spain, we propose the MAEC and Exterior sound recordings that to offer, in the most efficient way Spain's network are broadcast periodically on possible, a variety of articles that of embassies Radio 5 and Radio Exterior de can show people what 21st cen- and consulates. España, thanks to Ente Público tury Spain is like. To do this, we RTVE (the Spanish state-owned have improved the 'Culture and television and radio corporation). Society' section. In this section, we will provide comprehensive, All of these efforts made by the informative reports together General Directorate of Foreign
Communication would be nothing without the selfless collaboration of many of you, who actively contribute to ensuring that the magazine keeps on improving in quality and becoming more effective. Between us, we can make progress in our objective of creating a more effective and accessible ministry and ensuring that MAEC publications set a benchmark for other organizations and institutions.
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1948-2008
60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
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The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was approved by the United Nations' General Assembly sixty years ago. The passage of time has not caused it to lose one bit of its vigor and relevance. It has inspired many national constitutions, including that of Spain, which is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary. Major normative developments that have taken place in all fields are also due to this fundamental text, one filled with potent symbolic value and an undeniable legal interest. by Silvia Escobar. Special Ambassador for Human Rights
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O
n December 10, 1948, just three years had passed since the end of the Second World War, perhaps history's bloodiest conflict. There was still an enormous task: to find the moral resources needed to rebuild a society horrified by Nazi extermination camps and in which the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki had endangered the existence of the human race. A war that had claimed 70 million lives, over 2% of the world's population at the time.
How did this precursor text come into being? At the 1943 Teheran Conference, an all-out struggle "against tyranny, slavery, oppression and intolerance" had already been announced. In 1944, the International Labor Conference, under the aegis of the ILO, the oldest multilateral organization, was attended by representatives from 41 allied and neutral countries. Here, it was proclaimed that a lasting peace could never be reached if this was not based on social justice. A little later at Dumbarton Oaks, close to Washington, representatives from the USA, France, UK, USSR and China met with the aim of laying the foundations of an international organization that would have a Security
Council and an International Justice Tribunal, and which would be capable of guaranteeing peace and international security. The inaugural session of the United Nations General Assembly was held in London in 1946. The year the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was approved was also the year various UN agencies came into being: the World Health Organization (WHO) with the objective of ensuring that all people reach the highest standard of physical and mental health; the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), to introduce public policies for development, and the Organization of American States (OAS) for peace and security on the American continent.
1948 was also the year in which the State of Israel was created, and witnessed the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, which was met with international consternation. Not long before his death, Gandhi had sent his comments to those drawing up the Universal Declaration. The same year, Sweden's Stig Dagerman published "The German Autumn," an exceptional chronicle of the suffering experienced by the German people at the end of the World War. In Paris, the works of Picasso were at auction with photographs by Capa and Cartier Bresson. 1948 was also the year that Anne Frank's diary was discovered. Spain, which had abandoned the League of Nations in 1939, found itself plunged into international isolation by Franco's dictatorship. Spain did not, therefore, participate directly in the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, though it cannot be denied that intellectuals such as Fernando de los RĂos and Salvador de Madariaga, the heirs of Francisco Giner de los RĂos and a great humanist tradition, would have had much to contribute to the Universal Declaration. Indeed, Salvador de Madariaga, together with Peter Benenson, Sean Mac Bride and others, was one of the people in London behind Amnesty International - one of the world's most
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influential non-governmental John Humphrey from CanFollowing organizations. ada were also involved. DelThe first session of the 81 meetings egations from all regions of Economic and Social Coun- and intense the world were represented: cil, which coincided with the discussions, the Australia, Chile, China, the Nuremberg trials, adopted Declaration was United States, France, Lebaa resolution establishing, in passed with 48 non, the United Kingdom broad terms, the mandate votes in favor and the Soviet Union. The for a future Human Rights and 8 absteninitial text, as prepared by Commission as proposed by tions. John Humphrey, Director of the Charter, which would be the Human Rights Division responsible for presenting Civil society is a at the United Nations, was the ECOSOC with a Univer- factor of prime based in great part on the sal Declaration of Human importance in work carried out by the repthe defense of Rights. resentatives from different The drafting commit- human rights cultures since 1942. Howtee for the Universal Dec- everywhere. ever, his work would clash laration was led by Eleanor with, among other things, Roosevelt, the widow of the the conception held by the North American president responsible majority of governmental delegations, for the famous words that head the of human rights as an internal issue Introduction to the United Nations for individual countries. This position Charter: “We, the people of the United continued to be an obstacle for the fulNations…” fillment of human rights. . The work was led by Frenchman The human rights laid out by the René Cassin, who would later be Universal Declaration would have to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and indivisible. In fact, the text recognized was in charge of the draft, Dr. Peng economic, social and cultural rights as Chun Chang from China, and Charles well as civil and political ones, placing Malik from Lebanon. Hernán Santa them all on an equal footing. Another Cruz, from Chile, Alexandre Bogo- first was that the rights would have to molov and Alexei Pavlov from the So- apply to all people everywhere, or put viet Union, Lord Dukeston and Geof- another way, human rights had to be frey Wilson from the United Kingdom, universal. The concepts of liberty and William Hodgson from Australia and equality would be equally important.
Commemorative Logo for the Anniversary of the Declaration.
The Declaration did not limit itself to proclaiming rights, but also made a call for the transformation of the international and social order that would allow these rights to be practiced. In the Summer of 1948, a draft was presented to the United Nations General Assembly. Of the 58 states that made up the United Nations, 14 were Western countries, who placed an emphasis on the principles of natural law, the intrinsic dignity of the human being and the inalienable quality of rights. Twenty countries were from Latin America and Central America and they aligned themselves with the Western world. Then came the Socialist block - the USSR and the Eastern countries - whose philosophical basis was Marxism, and last but not least, were the Asian countries, many of them Muslim states that introduced the notion of responsibilities and duties. The Declaration was approved after 81 meetings, intense debate on each ar-
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The legislative text that is celebrating its 60th anniversary came about due to the work of a woman, Eleanor Roosevelt. photo United Nations
ticle and clause, and 168 amendments, by 48 votes in favor and 8 abstentions from the USSR, the countries from Eastern Europe, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia. RenĂŠ Bassin described the Universal Declaration as a temple with four pillars and a roof. The first pillar (arti-
Esteban BeltrĂĄn director of Amnesty International Spain
Governments must urgently face up to global challenges such as poverty
cles 1 to 11 of the Declaration) referred to individual and civil rights: to equality, non-discrimination, right to life, prohibition of slavery and torture, protection under the law, prohibition of arbitrary detention or exile, the right to a fair trial, and the presumption of innocence.
60 years ago, those individuals charged with drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights acted with the conviction that only a multilateral system of indivisible, universal rights based on equality, justice and the Rule of Law could deal with future challenges. With the passing of time, these necessary aspirations have been mutilated. In 2007 alone, Amnesty International documented 1,252 executions in 24 countries, cases of torture and maltreatment in more than 80, and prisoners of conscience in 45 countries. Furthermore, it is calculated that 854 million people have no access to an adequate
The second pillar (articles 12 to 17) deals with social rights and the rights of individuals in relation to society: the right to privacy, right to freedom of movement, right to asylum, right to nationality, right to marriage, to a family and to property. The third pillar (articles 18-21) referred to political rights: freedom of speech, religion and conscience, freedom of opinion, expression, association and participation in government activities, such as the right to participate in free and fair elections. The last pillar (articles 22-27) dealt with social and economic rights: the right to social security and to work, the right to equal pay for equal work, the right to join trade unions, the right to rest and leisure time, the right to an adequate standard of living, and the right to education and to participate in the cultural life of a community. On top of the four pillars is the temple's roof, articles 28, 29 and 30: the right to an international order
food supply, while 1.1 billion see no fulfillment of their right to a dignified existence. These figures are not meant to deny the advances made in the creation of human rights standards, systems and institutions either internationally, regionally or nationally. A great deal of progress has been made in many parts of the world thanks to these standards and principles, and thanks also to the consolidation of a network of human rights defenders who, despite working in very adverse conditions, continue to be the main deterrent of abuses of power. However, there is still a long way to go.
To put an end to injustice, discrimination and impunity, governments from all over the world must act immediately to bridge the gap that separates what is said and what is done, while dealing firmly with global challenges such as poverty and the threats to human rights brought about by issues of security, migration and the economic crisis. Until this happens, we can talk only of empty promises. Human rights are not a luxury for times of prosperity.
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The Universal Declaration is the first catalogue of rights inscribed in an international security document.
that allows these rights to the concepts of security, rebe fulfilled, the duties and spect for human rights and responsibilities of all and the development, thus summing impossibility of States or inup what, to a great extent, was dividuals to take away these one of the Universal Declararights. tion's original purposes: to be Translating this ideal the first catalogue of rights into a legal, political and cul- In the 1960s, inscribed in an international tural reality required a long, the eliminasecurity document. complex process filled with tion of racial Civil society, represented conflict. During the 1960s, discrimination by non-governmental organithe elimination of racial dis- was pursued, zations, has come to be a key crimination was pursued. In and in later player in the world of interthe two following decades, decades, impor- national relations and in the important steps were taken tant advances defense of human rights evin the struggle for gender were made in erywhere. Since the Univerequality, both legally and in the struggle for sal Declaration was passed, everyday life; this had been gender equality. the number of international one of Eleanor Roosevelt's organizations has multiplied. priorities. The Summit that Today, there are not only a unveiled the Millennium Development great number of inter-governmental Goals (MDGs) and the speech given by organizations, but some 20,000 nonthe former Secretary General of the governmental organizations (NGOs). United Nations, Kofi Annan, "towards More than 3,000 of these organizaa broader concept of freedom," clearly tions enjoy consultant status at the established the relationship between United Nations and periodically at-
Fernando Fernández-Arias director of the Office for International Relations. ministry of equality
Equality as a Right. The Right to equality
The theoretical underpinnings of Human Rights, as proclaimed in Article 1 of the Universal Declaration, have their roots in equality in the dignity and rights- of all human beings. The achievement of real and effective equality requires, however, something more than a declaration or a legal framework: it needs policies that actively promote rights and eliminate discrimination, using the Right as a tool for social change. In addition to the Universal Declaration, which marked the beginning of the effective protection of rights for all, the following decades have seen the creation of
Conventions that are specific to the different areas of discrimination and whose aim is to provide additional protection for the most vulnerable. One of the most important of these is the Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), approved in 1979 and considered to be a fundamental milestone in the struggle against the most widespread discrimination in the world: that of women by men. We owe the Universal Declaration to the work of a woman, Eleanor Roosevelt; but there is still no place in the world were women have absolute and real equality with men.
the culture of human rights Many bodies, including the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), have contributed to the recent publication of the book ‘The Culture of Human Rights.’ The cover of the publication was created by Antonio Fraguas “Forges”, who designed a poster that included a complete transcription of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948. When folded, it functions as the book's cover.
The 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration should lead us to reflect upon the need to deepen the concept of equality of treatment and the rejection of discrimination. It is necessary that we continue working within the universal framework for new tools of protection in areas such as discrimination due to sexual orientation, which still have not been tackled. However, it is no less important that this supra-national legal framework be complemented by policies that actively promote actual equality within States.
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First meeting of the drafting committee for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, presided over by Eleanor Roosevelt. photo United Nations
tend international conferences. However, the effective application of all of these rights has yet to become a reality. For example: The rights of minorities, who are subject to racism and xenophobia in many places. The rights of women, still subject to all manner of violence in times of war
Rafael de AsĂs professor of philosophy of law, coordinator of the consolideringenio 2010 program ‘the time of rights
There is still a long way to go
and peace. The rights of children in general, and of child soldiers and those exploited sexually or for labor. Similarly, the fight against poverty is an urgent task, as established by the Millennium Development Goals. There is also the fight against climate change, the preservation of the environment,
December 10, 2008 is the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the first step towards the universalization of rights. As is well known, the Declaration is an expression of one of the great historical processes that has accompanied the concept of rights since the age of enlightenment: the process of internationalization. Since the time it was approved to our day, this process has been enriched by numerous texts and declarations that have undoubtedly contributed to solving unsatisfactory situations. Despite this, there is still a long way to go. Contemporary discourse on
the matter of social responsibility for businesses and the use of new technologies for human benefit. These are all human rights issues that are still unfulfilled. Human rights can play an integral role in a global society undergoing transformation. The human rights focus of development cooperation is an essential tool in the fight to eradicate poverty. Human rights can create ties between States, individuals and the numerous inter- and non-governmental organizations that co-exist in the international community. The promotion and protection of human rights are priorities for Spanish foreign policy. As noted by the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was the first global affirmation of something that we currently take for granted: that dignity and equality are inherent in all human beings.
rights faces a series of challenges, some with a long historical tradition, others the consequences of new social, political and scientific realities. The fight against discrimination and respect for diversity, the tension between freedom and security, the fight against poverty and the management of scientific and technological advances are but a small sign of the challenges the future will bring. In any case, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the other texts that complete and develop it, continue to be a good tool with which to face these
challenges. It is for this reason that we must clearly support its role as a basic reference point for the International Order. This requires us to go forward in two directions. On the one hand, it obliges us to consider the declaration as an open, plural framework and to view some of its established interpretations with a critical eye. On the other, we must hold the declaration to be a legally binding document and, as such, as the standard that must govern the configuration of an International Rule of Law
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Since December 12. In fulfillment of an initiative included in the electoral campaign of 2004, this document has been created in order to improve the human rights situation through a clear educational focus.
The Spanish Government's Human Rights Plan has been approved At the Council of Ministers, the government approved a plan for measures with the participation of various Ministries, to improve the situation of human rights both in Spain and abroad. The Plan for Human Rights was coordinated by the First Vice-President, MarĂa Teresa FernĂĄndez de la Vega. The Plan for Human Rights derives from a commitment made by the Socialist government, first during the electoral campaign for the 2004 elections and later reiterated by the first Vice-President at the Congress of
JosĂŠ Antonio Gimbernat president of the federation of associations for the defense and promotion of human rights Spain
Essential for facing humanity's problems
Deputies at the beginning of the 9th legislature. The Plan expresses a commitment to fulfilling and improving the system of rights in a country that depends upon the day-to-day commitment of its government and citizens. Within this framework, and with the objective of continuing work to guarantee rights in a coordinated and systematic way, the Plan adopts a series of commitments to action made by the Government, which are intended to improve the promotion and protec-
1948 marked the beginning of what had been a great historic process, linking enlightenment (modernity), democracy, and human rights. The United Nations Declaration put forth a universal claim that had been set out in an incipient manner in the French Declaration of 1789. The last third of the 20th Century has seen the decline, breakdown and weakening of ideologies that made such universal claims; today they are religions with their unique influx, attitudes and beliefs. The only language which has endured as a reference point for the whole of humanity is that of human rights. Our age is characterized by the
tion of human rights, both in Spain and abroad. The abolition of the death penalty, gender equality, the fight against poverty, the protection of human rights defenders, the elimination of all forms of discrimination, the eradication of torture, legal protection, the rights of Spaniards abroad, guarantees of personal freedom, the training of public officials, the teaching of human rights, the protection of social rights, education, housing, health care, the environment....these and other issues are dealt with through specific measures taken through Government action. The Human Rights Plan has an educational role and is a document that lives, acts and interacts with civil society. Its content is seen as an ongoing process, to be carried out, continuously evaluated and nurtured every step of the way by new proposals and commitments.
increasingly global dimension of the enormous problems that it faces, and the global recognition of these problems. Each of these issues affects the very heart of human rights. The human rights framework has become indispensable in facing up to them. What makes such rights unachievable today is the rapid spread of poverty. Because of it, economic, social and cultural rights lack guarantees, while civil and political rights are seriously threatened and as a result, become unconvincing. The chaotic explosion of migration from poor countries is a symptom of this.
The Declaration proves the axiom that the progress of ideas is always faster than their fulfillment. This highlights the great distance yet to go before it can be accomplished, but reality also invites us to value the great progress made in terms of awareness of its demands, the extension of its guarantees and the fulfillment of the right of citizens to human rights. In its name, people have been able to demand its application and the consolidation of democracies. Today, human rights are a project, a utopia we advance towards and a guide to a better future for humanity.
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Spain develops an intense agenda for the commemoration The firm commitment made by Spain to defend Human Rights has led to the organization of many activities to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration. Madrid's Casa de América hosted an institutional ceremony presided over by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, and attended by many, including Álvaro Gil Robles, former Ombudsman and former Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe, Lluís María Puig, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the magistrate Manuela Carmena, member of the United Nations working group on Arbitrary Detention. At the Diplomatic School, a day of commemoration was held on December 10th with the title 'Human Rights in the International Society of the 21st
Concepción Escobar Hernández HEAD OF ASESORíA JURíDICA INTERNACIONAL, MAEC. PROFESSOR IN INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC LAW, UNED
Pillar of contemporary International Law
Century' and featuring speeches from many experts. At the Guernica hall at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, a ceremony was held that was attended by artists, singers and actors who played an important role in the defense of Human Rights. During the ceremony, there was a screening of the film by Lluís Danés, “El Sueño de Eleanor” ('Eleanor's Dream') , which combines music, dance, narrative and artistic creations, and whose title pays homage to Eleanor Roosevelt, the force behind the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Sara Baras, Pablo Carbonell, Carmen Posadas, Gracia Querejeta, Ana Belén… and another 30 Spanish and Ibero-American artists selflessly took part in this film. In Leganés, more than twenty
On December 10, 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations voted to adopt the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. With this seemingly simple act, the General Assembly brought about a revolutionary change to international law: it placed the individual at the center of the system, inserting a new axiom into international relations and laid the "first stone" of what is today known as International Human Rights Law, one of the most dynamic fields in contemporary international law. The Universal Declaration was not, however, the first international catalogue of rights, as in August of
From left to right: the President of the PP, Mariano Rajoy; the President of the General Council of Spanish Lawyers, Carlos Carnicer; the Minister of Justice, Mariano Fernández Bermejo; and the Minister of Equality, Bibiana Aído, during the ceremony commemorating the Declaration of Human Rights organized by the General Council of Spanish Lawyers. photo efe
artists raised their voices against poverty in a concert organized by AECID, the Plataforma 2015 y más, and the Plataforma Voces. More music, more rights and less poverty brought together Los Secretos, Antonio Orozco, Chambao and Jarabe de Palo, to name but a few, in their commitment to pass on a clear message of urgency for Human Rights to the wider society.
the same year the American Declaration on the Rights and Duties of Man had been adopted. However, the catalogue approved by the United Nations has the virtue of giving expression to the consensus on what the International community then considered, and continues to consider, the inalienable core of a person's dignity in a single, universal text. Since that time, the United Nations has adopted a significant number of tools for the promotion of human rights, from the International Pacts of New York in 1966, to the Conventions on Torture and on the Rights of the Child, to the very recent
United Nations Convention on the rights of people with disabilities. At the same time, they have put a complex and dynamic system in motion to protect human rights. However, none of this would have happened, or even have been imagined, if it were not for the Universal Declaration, which continues to be the primary reference point for the struggle for human rights and, as such, merits being commemorated in a very special way on the 60th anniversary of its adoption.
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Spain, firmly committed to Human Rights Jorge Domecq
Director General of United Nations, Global Issues and Human Rights
The international recognition of Human Rights is without doubt a success for the United Nations. Although the political protection of "certain inalienable rights" had been asserted since the Enlightenment, as we see in the American Constitution or in International Law with certain rules governing the treatment of civilians during times of war (such as those developed at the end of the 19th Century by The Hague Conference), it would not be until the adoption of the United Nations Charter in 1945 that certain rights of individuals would be recognized in a general manner and at all times. This was to become the UN member countries' first universal commitment to Human Rights. Three years later, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights marked another milestone in the defense and promotion of such rights, becoming the "Magna Carta" for humanity. The preamble to the Universal Declaration proclaimed "as the highest aspiration of man, the advent of a world in which human beings, free from fear and misery, can enjoy freedom of speech and freedom of belief." This paragraph was nothing more than a simple "declaration" without any legal status, and at the time this desire seemed to be simply a utopian longing. Despite this, the vision held by the authors of the Universal Declaration 60
years ago allowed the foundations of all international legal structures to be fixed in that which today is the regime of Human Rights, codified in existing Conventions and in national laws and standards. This path has not been free from problems, but with all of its faults we can confirm that the situation of Human Rights in today's world is generally better than it has ever been in the history of Humanity. Thanks to the United Nations and its mechanisms, during these 60 years awareness has been created about the abuse of these rights on a global scale. Contributing factors are not just greater access to information, but the commitment of democratic states and, above all, the driving force that is civil society. It is the central role played by the United Nations in the protection and promotion of Human Rights that gives this organization ethical primacy in international relations. This is also the reason for Spain's uncompromising drive for policy reflecting commitment to the United Nations and, by extension, Human Rights. Spain is part of the human rights "tool box" within the framework of the United Nations and has taken on its most demanding obligations, while at the same time becoming the second-largest contributor to the Office of the High Commission
The advances are very important, but the freedoms that have been won are not immune to change over time Spain has become the second-largest contributor to the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights and the United Nations Development Fund for Women
for Human Rights and the United Nations Development Fund for Women. Spain also actively takes part in all initiatives put forward by the international community in this field. To all of this we must add the development of internal standards that has taken place in recent years in democratic Spain, which received its crowning glory with the adoption, in December of this year, of the first National Plan for Human Rights. The advances made are very important, but they must not give way to complacency. The freedoms that have been won are not immune to change with the passage of time. As Edmund Burke said, “if someone asks me what a liberal government is, I will answer that, effectively, it is what the people think it should be.� In other words, the recognition of Human Rights should, in each moment of history, be what the world's citizens demand that it be. In this process, civil society is called upon to play an essential role. Governments, in turn, must listen to the aspirations of their citizens in the promotion and protection of freedoms. If this is what happens (and we hope it will), the United Nations will continue to offer the ideal framework for providing the universality desired 60 years ago by those who drew up the Universal Declaration.
16 A consular work
Midway through the 1970's, emigration from Spain to European countries in need of a workforce was a permanent phenomenon. The image shows the first group of Spanish workers that left for Bel
New challenges in consular The role of consular work, as we know it today, stems from caring for the needs of hundreds of thousands of Spanish citizens who, in the past, had to leave Spain. Initially they went to the then-recently-independent Latin American republics and, later on, they went to various European countries. by Javier Herrrera. Deputy Director General of the Protection of Spanish Citizens Abroad
The consulates were converted into offices that provided, at a single location, access to all of the public administration organizations that citizens deal with: passport office, civil registry, notary's office, military office, welfare office, election office, etc. Today, this group of Spanish citizens residing abroad numbers around 1,700,000 people, 1,200,000 of which are registered to vote. This number will continue to increase, having gone up by several hundred thousand in two years, as a result of implementing the 7th Additional Provision of Act 52/2007 on Historic Memory, which recognizes the en-
titlement to Spanish nationality of major groups of people of Spanish origin, or whose grandparents lost their Spanish nationality as a result of being exiled. The democratization process that began in 1977 brought significant changes to the way Spanish citizens interact with the Public Administration. From a consular point of view, the fundamental milestone in these changes was Royal Decree 1339/1987, of October 30, on the channels for institutional participation by Spanish citizens residing abroad. This Royal Decree gives rise to the creation of the Spanish Resident
A consular work 17
facts
1.047.583 no. of visas granted in 2007
766.556 no. of short-term visas granted in 2007
281.027 no. of long-term visas granted in 2007
1.700.000
Spanish citizens residing abroad
1.200.000 voters residing abroad
4.170.000
foreign nationals legally residing in Spain on June 30, 2008
for Belgium in 1957. photo efe
r work Councils (CREs), by establishing that in those consular areas where there are a minimum of 700 voters registered in the CERA (Electoral Census of Absent Residents), Spanish Resident Councils will be created, by election, to serve as advisory bodies for the respective consular office regarding a series of issues that are of interest to residents (civil and employment rights, integrating Spanish pupils into the country's education system, residents participating in Spain's political life, and social and cultural initiatives for Spanish citizens). At the same time, the Resident Councils will channel the Spanish sense of community
towards the consular offices in each terms with Spanish citizens living in consular area, propose measures to Spain. improve services, advise the consulAs a corollary, the Council is set up ate when necessary, help to publicize as the body responsible for ensuring measures of general interest, and en- the enforcement of the rights of Spanable those individuals or Spanish as- ish citizens residing abroad to particsociations that are in need of aid to be ipate in the issues that involve them identified, etc. and to encourage collaboration on the Currently, there are a total of 43 part of government agencies in relaCREs distributed over the five con- tion to supporting Spanish citizens tinents and, from the perspective of abroad and repatriated citizens. a cumulative history of twenty years The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of operations, we can say that they and Cooperation, which, through have become useful instruments for the General Secretariat of Consular the smooth running of our consul- and Migratory Affairs holds one of ates, keeping them in permanent con- the Council's vice-presidencies, betact with residents, their needs and lieves that increasing and protecting desires, as well as pushing forward the rights of our compatriots living gradual reforms in the way that con- abroad is not only a requirement for sular services are provided, ensuring democracy, but also for justice, since that they are always at the service many of these residents are members of citizens residing abroad, which is, of those families that were forced to after all, the fundamental reaemigrate when Spain did son for their existence. not enjoy its current levels The CREs, as direct advi- The of prosperity, and their efsory bodies for the consulate Spanish forts and sacrifices have are, in turn, grouped together Resident contributed to well-being into what was known as the Councils push and development both of General Council on Emigra- forward reforms Spain and of their host tion and which today, fol- in the way concountries. lowing the enactment of Act sular services However, although sup40/2006 of December 14, the are provided port of Spanish nationals Statute of Spanish Citizen- is the fundamental raison ship Abroad and its imple- Resident alien d'etre for our consulates, mentation by Royal Decree policy is today, many have been increasing 230/2008 of February 15, is undoubtedly, the support they provide now known as the General a vital part of to foreign citizens as well, Council of Spanish Citizen- government pursuant to immigration foreign policy ship Abroad. law. This statute is in re- While in the past Spain sponse to a historic demand Increasing and was a country characterfrom Spanish citizens resid- protecting the ized by emigration, it is ing abroad who, for years, rights of our widely recognized today through their representative compatriots as one of immigration bodies, have been requesting living abroad (4,170,000 foreign citizens a legal framework to govern is not only a legally reside in Spain actheir rights. Act 40/2006 lays requirement for cording to data from June down this legal framework, as democracy, but 30, 2008), a phenomenon well as the basic instruments also for justice which this law aims to to guarantee that Spanish citiregulate. zens residing abroad are able Today, immigration to exercise their constitutionpolicy is undoubtedly a al rights and duties on equal vital part of the govern-
18 A consular work
ment's foreign policy. Part of the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation is to participate in proposing and implementing immigration and resident alien policies. This framework attaches huge importance to visa policy, which is directly related to economic policy, the labor market, and immigration policy. The current legal framework provides for two main types of visas. The first type are short-term visas, which are issued for a maximum of three months. The second are long-term visas, which are issued for longer periods. Short-term visas are uniform visas, that is, they are valid for travelling freely throughout the entire Schengen area (all the EU countries with the exception of Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Norway and Iceland). These visas allow stays of up to three months per half-year (without the option to work), as well as travelling via land or air. These visas have common regulations for all the Schengen states, which are included in the Common Consular Instructions and various other regulations and Community decisions, including
1.250.000
1.150.000
Immigration to regions in need of a workforce is a reality in Spain. The image shows a Moroccan woman in a greenhouse on the coast of AlmerĂa. photo efe
Regulation (EC) No.539/2001 listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing external borders and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement. The long-term visas are national
2008 1.215.548
change in the number of Spanish citizens residing abroad 2000-2008
2007 1.194.350
Source: Electoral Census 2003 1.097.688
1.050.000 2001 1.025.346
950.000 Citizens
visas, that is, each country regulates them independently. There are residence visas, which enable people to reside without carrying out any form of work; work and residence visas, which enable people to work as an employee or self-employed; study visas, which enable people to study, carry out research work or attend courses. Work visas have particular importance given that, within the framework of the current system, the admission of new immigrants to Spain is determined by the need to fill available job positions. As a consequence, immigrants who want to work must first acquire a visa in their country of origin that enables them to do so. These visas are regulated by Organic Law 4/2000, of January 11, governing the rights and liberties of foreign nationals in Spain and their social integration, as well as by its Implementing Regulations. In recent years Spain has become one of the EU countries where the most visas are issued. In 2007, a total of 1,047,583 visas were issued, of which 766,556 were short-term visas and 281,027 were long-term. During the first three quarters of 2008, 813,881 visas were issued (582,041 short-term and 231,840 long-term).
2004 1.128.958
2005 1.142.333
2006 1.162.391
2002 1.051.284
2000 967.504
Spanish citizens residing abroad as of April 1, 2008 Source: Electoral Census
Country
Residents
%
Argentina France Venezuela Germany Switzerland
264,952 160,631 123,815 83,407 70,193
21.80 13.21 10.19 6.86 5.77
Country
Residents
%
Brazil 67,018 Mexico 52,994 USA 48,109 United Kingdom 46,514 Uruguay 41,356
5.51 4.36 3.96 3.83 3.40
the ministry of foreign affairs and cooperation just click on www.maec.es
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View of the harbor of Wellington, New Zealand's capital, from Wrights Hill.
ABOUT YOUR EMBASSY On the opposite side of the world from Spain, New Zealand is located nearly two thousand kilometers to the southeast of Australia and more than nine thousand kilometers west of South America. With an area of approximately 270,000 km2, the country occupies several Pacific islands; the two main ones, North and South Island, are separated by Cook Strait. The country's population is only slightly over four million. The capital, Wellington, has half a million inhabitants, while Auckland, the most populous city, has around 1,400,000 people. English and Maori are the two official languages.
New Zealand: the Antipodes are closer New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy, a member of the Commonwealth, whose Head of State is the same person who wears the British Crown; this means that Queen Elizabeth II is also the Queen of New Zealand, while the Governor General is her representative. There is no written Constitution; only a combination of statutes and pacts. The founding charter of New Zealand's constitution is generally considered to be the Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840, in which the indigenous Maori ceded their sovereignty in exchange for guarantees of survival and British citizenship. In
1931, the British Parliament passed the Statute of Independence for New Zealand, which, upon its acceptance in 1947, granted full political autonomy. New Zealand's public administration, which implements government policy, is made up of various government departments or ministries, the entities belonging to the Crown and the companies owned by the State. Local government, to a large degree, is independent of the Central Government. New Zealand is made up of 16 regions, which are divided into 12 Regional Councils and 74 Territorial Authorities (16 city councils, 57 district councils
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new zealand facts Population: 4,228,300 (est. 2007) Government: Parliamentary monarchy Languages: English and Maori Life expectancy (2006): 80 years Inflation (2007): 2.4% Unemployment rate (2007): 3.6% Human Development Index (2005): 19th place Source MAEC
for rural areas and a special council for the Chatham Islands). The Regional Councils constitute the highest local government authority, followed by the Territorial Authorities. New Zealand has a developed economy based on free trade. Although political intervention is minimal, the State maintains a degree of influence through its marketing monopolies of certain industries such as dairy products and kiwi fruit. The financial system is dominated by the commercial banks and controlled by the Central Bank of New Zealand. New Zealand is a country that is proud of its roots, where the influence of Maori culture is evident. While committed to the value of progress, New Zealanders also cherish concepts such as whanau (the extended family) and mana (dignity), which form part of their daily lives. This is why visitors to New Zealand all invariably remark on the friendly and open attitude of its people. Relations with Spain Spain has maintained diplomatic relations with New Zealand since March 28, 1969. The
very healthy condition that these relations enjoy today was made evident by the visits made to Spain by representatives of the New Zealand government last year. In April 2007, New Zealand's Prime Minister, Helen Clark, paid an official visit to our country and met with the Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodrﾃｭguez Zapatero. Both leaders acknowledged the similarity of their points of view on foreign relations and social policy. International terrorism, climate change and social inequalities are, in the opinion of both prime ministers, the three most significant challenges faced by governments today. Helen Clark also congratulated Josﾃｩ Luis Rodrﾃｭguez Zapatero for launching the Alliance of Civilizations initiative, a friendly grouping of which New Zealand is a member. At the same time, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Miguel ﾃ］gel Moratinos, met with In bilateral trade, Spanish exports reached a total of 126 million euros in 2007
historic links In spite of the geographical distance, relations between Spain and New Zealand have always been smooth. In the photo, His Majesty King Juan Carlos is greeted by a Maori child in traditional dress, during a visit by the King and Queen of Spain to New Zealand in June, 1988.
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his New Zealand counterpart. After the meeting, Winston Peters pointed out that the two countries have much in common and “economies that are highly complementary.” Meanwhile, Miguel Ángel Moratinos asserted that the opening of the Spanish Embassy in New Zealand initiated a new era in bilateral relations. He also highlighted the efforts being made by our country to increase its presence in the AsiaPacific region. In terms of bilateral trade, Spanish exports to New Zealand in 2007 reached a total of 126 million euros, 30 per cent higher than the previous year. Furthermore, in 2007 Spain and New Zealand signed a bilateral agreement on income tax collection to avoid double taxation and to prevent tax evasion. This agreement has contributed to the improvement of the development framework for bilateral trade relations.
A SPANIARD IN NEW ZEALAND Luisma Lavín from Santander, specialist in character animation, arrived in New Zealand in 2005 to work on the film King Kong. He is currently working on Tintin, under the joint direction of Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson.
Images of different departments of the Spanish Embassy in Wellington.
What basic features characterize the Spaniards who live and work in New Zealand? I believe that the main features would be resolve, motivation and a certain spirit of adventure. New Zealand is not just around the corner. The large distance that separates us from “home” means that to come and live and work here is not a decision that can be taken lightly. What experiences have you gained since your arrival here? There have been many, and almost all of them positive. In professional terms, the chance to share concerns with people of very different backgrounds, customs and ideas, has been very rewarding. Forming part of a company like Weta Digital, and participating in the type of projects that we take on involves me in a constant learning cycle. At a personal level, I have noticed a certain change in the pace of daily life, which I am very happy about.
How integrated into the local community are the Spaniards here? Generally, very much so. New Zealanders are very welcoming, and they like to share their time with outsiders. Although they are a very young nation, they are very proud of their roots and customs, and they enjoy bringing visitors in to immerse themselves in them. What opinion do New Zealanders have of Spain and of Spaniards? Apart from a few specific instances, Spain has had almost no presence at all in New Zealand until very recently. I believe that this is beginning to change, largely due to the work that the newly established embassy in Wellington is undertaking. Although the cultural and economic points of reference... are directed more towards the world's major cities and other countries of Anglo Saxon influence, it is also true that New Zealanders display
a lot of curiosity about anything to do with Spain, and it is truly surprising just how many kiwis have visited our country. Their admiration for our cuisine, culture, history and climate is more than evident, as well as their remarkable awareness of Spanish sport. Madrid and Barcelona are cities that fascinate them and they always include them in their itineraries, even if their final destination isn't Spain. What advice would you give people who want to travel to New Zealand? That they do it! It is a difficult place to get to, but once you're here, the possibilities are endless. In New Zealand, nature plays a fundamental role, and presents itself to the traveler in every form imaginable. It's easy to move around the islands, and to work out itineraries that allow you to make the most of the time you decide to spend here.
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Spain in New Zealand: getting closer to the Antipodes Marcos Gómez
spanish ambassador to new zealand
Spain appointed its first ambassador to New Zealand in 2006. The decision to open an embassy in this country was part of the first AsiaPacific Action Plan, with the aim of strengthening Spain's presence and profile in this region of the world, which is the most rapidly growing and economically dynamic region at the dawn of the 21st century. Of course, the history of bilateral relations between Spain and New Zealand pre-dates the opening of the Embassy. Their origins are clouded in legend. The shores of Aotearoa (the Maori name for New Zealand) may have been the final destination of the caravel San Lesmes, the lost ship of García de Loaisa's expedition which drifted from the rest of the fleet in 1526. On the other hand, it is a proven historical fact that the first European to set foot on New Zealand soil was Álvaro de Mendaña, who arrived at the Cook Islands in 1595. The Spanish names of several places on New Zealand's South Island (Malaspina Reach, Bauza Island, Marcaciones Point) recall the voyage past these shores of the expedition commanded by Alejandro Malaspina in February, 1793. And recently, documentary evidence has been uncovered of an extraordinary human connection between Spain and New Zealand: the existence of the Spanish "Paniora" group, a great “whanau” or family of the Maori “iwi” (tribe) of the Ngati Porou, living on the east coast, whose common ancestor was Manuel José
de Frutos, a Spanish sailor who arrived on these shores from Valverde del Majano (Segovia) in the 1830s. His prolific descendants, numbering several thousand, proudly celebrate and preserve their Hispanic roots. With this background, relations between Spain and New Zealand today are built upon the many existing points of common ground shared by the two nations. Both countries are consolidated, inclusive democracies, members of the OECD, committed to the major challenges faced by the international community and supporters of effective multilateralism. To cite but two examples, Spaniards and New Zealanders participate side by side in United Nations peace-keeping efforts in situations as complex as Afghanistan, and both are active members of the Alliance of Civilizations initiative. Trade levels between the two nations are still modest. In 2007, the overall trade figure barely approached 300 million euros. The small size of the New Zealand market and its huge distance from Europe are factors that inhibit the development of trade, which in recent years has nevertheless shown encouraging progress. There are also investment opportunities in sectors such as infrastructures and renewable energy, which offer Spanish companies the opportunity to enter a promising market. In the cultural sphere, Spain's main
The first European to stand on New Zealand soil was the Spaniard Alvaro de Mendaña Spanish companies have investment opportunities in sectors such as infrastructures and renewable energy
initiative in New Zealand involves the Spanish language. There are Spanish departments in all of the country's universities, and a Prince of Asturias Professor at the University of Auckland, who is called upon to assume a major role in the promotion of Spanish culture. There are also more than 30,000 New Zealander children and youths studying Spanish in elementary and secondary schools. New Zealand is a destination that enjoys a growing number of Spanish tourists, attracted by the renowned beauty of the country and the friendliness of its people. Approximately 10,000 Spaniards visited these islands in 2007. In the other direction, many New Zealanders include Spain in their trips around Europe. The celebration in Valencia of the America's Cup regattas in 2007 contributed to an increase in tourist numbers. In general, New Zealanders are quite familiar with Spain, which they associate with our rich history and vibrant culture, with the success of our sportsmen and women, and the quality of the products used for the very latest in Spanish cuisine. Our embassy in Wellington, which is the furthest from Spain of the entire Foreign Service and is also responsible for our country's relations with Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands, clearly benefits from the positive image of all things Spanish as a useful tool for its task of bringing Spain closer to this remote corner of the globe.
24 A consular emergency
Repatriation of Spanish citizens from India and Thailand. On November 26 a terrorist group calling themselves Deccan Mujahideen committed a wave of attacks in seven locations in Bombay. 195 people died and 300 were injured. They attacked and hijacked several hotels where 50 Spanish citizens were staying. Two of them were held prisoner inside the hotel. A few hours earlier, protesters from the Thailand opposition party took over the Bangkok airport with the intention of overthrowing the government. 400 Spaniards were trapped in Thailand.
From Left to Right. The Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, María Jesús Figa, welcomes the Spanish tourists repatriated by the Spanish Air Force at the U-Tapao military base. Passengers boarding the various flights arranged by the Spanish government and one of the planes arriving at Torrejón Airbase. photos efe
Consular emergency culminates in an unprecedented operation Both events, the first immediate and the second coming a few days later, were crises of international magnitude, in which Spanish citizens were embroiled. The Spanish Crisis Management System did not delay in responding and it effectively coordinated the information between family members and those affected, as well as the embassies, consulates and various government departments to guarantee the secure and safe return of Spanish citizens. The system, which is operative 24 hours a day, comprises the Department of
Infrastructure and Monitoring of Crisis Situations of the Presidency of the Government, the MAEC's Consular Emergency Unit, and the work of consulates and embassies. November 27. At 1:00 p.m. a plane destined for Bombay takes off from the Torrejón de Ardoz Airbase (Madrid) to repatriate the Spanish citizens. In Thailand, rumors are circulating of an imminent coup. November 28. 60 Spanish citizens are
repatriated from Bombay in a Spanish Army Airbus. They land at 2:50 p.m. in Torrejón. Meanwhile, the two Spanish businessmen held in the Oberoi Hotel, Álvaro Rengifo and Alejandro de la Joya, are rescued. The Thai Executive Branch declares a state of emergency in the airports. November 29. The last 17 Spanish citizens remaining in Bombay return on the flight chartered by the French Presidency of the EU for citizens from several EU countries. They arrive in Madrid at
A consular emergency 25 3:15 p.m. in a Spanish Air Force plane from Paris. A few hours earlier, Rengifo and de la Joya had landed in Torrejón in a plane chartered specifically for their repatriation. November 30. Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero meets with foreign affairs and defense officials to tackle the crisis in Thailand. The Spanish government decides to send three planes to repatriate the Spanish citizens trapped in Bangkok. The first two planes leave for Thailand from the Torrejón de Ardoz Airbase. The Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, María Jesús Figa, travelled in one of the aircraft. Only a couple of Spanish citizens, injured during the attacks and hospitalized, remain in Bombay, and they will be repatriated upon authorization from the doctors.
Three days in Thailand Antonio Pérez-Hernández
department manager. General Directorate of Foreign Communication
Following several months of political tension, several weeks of protests and several days of blockade of the Bangkok airports, the arrival of the first Spanish planes to U-Tapao naval base set in motion the repatriation measures prepared by the Spanish Embassy in Thailand. Despite being fully aware of the logistical difficulties of providing an exit for more than 500 Spanish citizens in just two days via a military base 140 km from Bangkok, the excellent work of the Spanish Embassy and the
full cooperation of Thailand's military authorities smoothed the path for the return of the first group of Spanish citizens. On the first day over 200 Spanish tourists returned home and on the second day almost 380 set off for Madrid. They were all tired and shocked by the events, but they all shared their eternal gratitude to an embassy that bent over backwards for them, and did not rest until the third plane chartered for Spain took off.
December 1. At 3:30 a.m. the first plane chartered by the government, a Spanish Air Force Airbus 310-300, lands at Torrejón de Ardoz Airbase carrying 62 Spanish tourists that had been trapped in the Bangkok airport. At 8:50 a.m. the second of the planes, a Spanish Air Force Boeing 707, touches down with 150 more. December 2. The Spanish Embassy in Thailand coordinates the departure of 372 Spanish citizens in a third plane, from the airline Iberworld. The aircraft departs at 9:00 p.m. (Spanish time) from the U-Tapao military base, 140 kilometers east of Bangkok. The Thai government decided to open this airbase to international airlines to alleviate the chaos caused by the closure of two international airports in Bangkok. December 3. At 2:40 p.m. the third plane lands in Barajas carrying 372 repatriated Spanish citizens and 12 citizens of various nationalities from the European Union. This marked the end of the repatriation of Spanish citizens trapped in Thai airports due to anti-government protests.
26 A foreign affairs in brief
G-20 financial summit. Spain took part in the summit in Washington on November 15 to search for solutions to the international financial crisis. Spain got involved after France handed over its seat as a member of the G-8, while currently holding the European Union Presidency.
Family photo of the summit held by the G-20 in Washington (United States), on November 2008 this year. photo efe
The Washington Summit commits to reform the financial markets On November 15 of this year at the G-20 Summit in Washington, Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero pleaded for globally coordinated fiscal policies to be agreed on in order to stimulate the economy and for new regulation of the financial systems, with greater control and transparency. The countries taking part agreed on an action plan to tackle the crisis and made a commitment to reform and strengthen the financial markets. The first of the ideas set out in the declaration -unanimously agreed upon- was a commitment to economic stimulation, which will be done in a coordinated manner and will focus fundamentally on policies of a productive nature, that is, investment in research, development,
innovation, infrastructure and energy, with the aim of restoring global growth. The second of the summit's conclusions was the need to reform the financial markets, introducing greater order and security in how they operate, through restrictions on tax The Prime havens and credit Minister underrating agencies, lined the imporin addition to estance of Spain's tablishing mechapresence at the nisms for the effecsummit and tive supervision of stressed “we banking and credit have interesting activity. experiences to The countries contribute and taking part in a will to work the Washington unitedly” Summit also un-
derscored the need to reform international financial institutions, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, in order to give them greater legitimacy and capacity to help economies in difficulty and to prevent precarious economic situations. The world's leading economies also expressed their opposition to establishing protectionist measures and reiterated the need to achieve the liberalization of the markets as decided at the Doha Round. The G-20 heads of state and government will meet again on April 2 next year in London -which will be attended by the new US president, Barack Obama- to follow up on whether the commitments have been met. Spain, taking part for the first time at a G-20 summit, justified its right to participate in G-20 meetings by being the world's eighth-largest economic power. According to the Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, what counts is "how they see you from the outside, how they recognize us and how they view our country."
A foreign affairs in brief 27
2nd Euro-African Ministerial Conference on Migration and Development in Paris The International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP) took part in the 2nd Euro-African Ministerial Conference on Migration and Development held in Paris from November 24 through 25. The foundation went to the event having been the organizer of the three previous thematic meetings on Legal Migration (Rabat, March 2008), the Fight Against Irregular Migration (Uagadugú, May 2008) and Migration and Development (Dakar, July 2008).
Spain increases aid to Congo Eight million euros will be added to the roughly twenty million Spain has already given to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, proof of its ongoing commitment to the situation faced by its civilians. Since 2005, the RDC has featured as a 'Country Meriting Special Attention' for Spain and benefits from a plan that sets out the intervention priorities. The Spanish projects are centered on the prevention of maternal and infant mortality and HIV/Aids, the fight against malnutrition and the protection of displaced persons.
The Russian president's visit to Spain in 2009 is settled on in Moscow On December 8 in Moscow, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, met with the Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev, and the head of Russian diplomacy, Sergey Lavrov. These meetings focused on the preparations for the state visit Medvedev plans to make to Spain in 2009.
The Carolina Foundation for social responsibility in Latin America The Carolina Foundation funded the Inter-American Conference on Corporate Social Responsibility held in Cartagena de Indias (Colombia), where among other issues it tackled entrepreneurial innovation as a potential solution to poverty and alternative business models.
Conference on the Council of Europe Convention Against Human Trafficking During the conference held in December, experts on the subject and government and civil society representatives discussed the issues surrounding human trafficking with the aim of pushing forward the ratification of the convention, as well as offering technical support for its implementation. This conference is framed within the Spanish Presidency of the Council of Europe.
Competition to select the logo for the Spanish Presidency of the EU The Secretary of State for the European Union, Diego López Garrido, put forward the conditions for selecting the logo for the Spanish EU Presidency in 2010. The winner of the competition will be announced in February next year.
Spain contributes to the operation
The EU deploys Operation Atalanta in Somalia to tackle piracy On December 8 of this year, the European Union foreign affairs ministers approved the naval mission “Operation Atalanta” to deter, prevent and suppress piracy in the waters off Somalia, with nine European countries taking part. Spain is providing two boats and a plane for the EU's first-ever joint naval operation. Initially, the EU mission will last for twelve months and it will have the power to arrest piracy suspects and take them to third-party countries, as long as they do not have the death penalty or degrading treatment of prisoners. The mission will be commanded from the British naval base, Northwood HQ, although the tactical command will be done from the ships in the area, rotating from ship to ship, with Greece first taking control, followed by Spain and Holland. In November, the defense ministers agreed upon a Joint Action with the main objective of protecting merchant ships from the UN World Food Program (WFP) and commercial traffic in the Gulf of Aden, as well as controlling and monitoring the area. The mission's mandate enables them to adopt the necessary measures, including the use of force, to put an end to piracy and armed robbery. Operation Atalanta is the culmination of a proposal put forward by Spain and France in August following the hijacking of the Spanish tuna fishing boat “Playa de Bakio.” So far this year, pirates with bases in Africa have attacked more than 80 merchant ships, almost all of them around Somalia.
28 A foreign affairs in brief
18th Ibero-American Summit in El Salvador. HRH the King Juan Carlos, alongside the Primer Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, went to the summit in El Salvador which brought together 22 heads of state and government from the Ibero-American Community.
Ibero-America approves a common plan to draw up youth policies Heads of state and government from the Ibero-American Community of Nations who met at the 18th IberoAmerican Summit in El Salvador, approved the Ibero-American Plan on Youth Cooperation and Integration. Representing Spain were Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, His Majesty the King, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Miguel Ángel Moratinos. The new plan is a one of the main contributions of the El Salvador Summit held on October 29 and 31 with the slogan “Youth and Development.” This new plan will enable different countries in the region to design policies with common principles such as youth participation, non-discrimi-
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, along with his counterpart from El Salvador, Marisol Argueta, during the opening of the Joan Miró exhibition at San Salvador Art Museum. photo efe
nation, interculturalism and gender equality. The heads of state and government also approved a special declaration that demonstrated Ibero-America's common position on the world economic situation. The Community expressed its “determination to actively contribute and participate in a broad and profound transformation process in the international financial architecture, which establishes preventative and immediate response instruments in the event of future crises and guarantees effective regulation of capital markets.” In San Salvador they also dealt with subjects such as migration, food security and road safety. It also marked the introduction of the Pablo Neruda Grants, an initiative that will allow Latin American students to travel between the different countries in the region. In addition, two programs were approved to encourage cooperation between museums –Ibermuseums- and youth orchestras -Iberorchestras. Every year, the summit is accompanied by parallel activities relating to art and culture. San Salvador hosted the exhibition 'Anti-Portraits by Miró and the Campus Party', which brought together 700 young people to take part in activities related to new technology. It also introduced the ALAS Foundation, which provides help for children, promoted by the singers Shakira, Juanes and Alejandro Sanz.
International convention banning cluster bombs Spain signed the convention in Oslo, in which over 100 member states committed not to use, produce, acquire, stockpile or transport cluster bombs. It also established the requirement to destroy them within a maximum of eight years from when the agreement comes into force in each of the member states.
2nd Edition of the `SpanishChinese Council Foundation´ Awards Zhang Chunjiang, in his capacity as President of China Netcom, and César Alierta, President of Telefónica, received the awards from the SpanishChinese Council Foundation, which every year recognizes the work of one Spanish and one Chinese citizen in promoting bilateral relations.
Meeting of the Minister with the Parents Circle-Forum of Israeli and Palestinian Families (CPFF) On November 26, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation held a meeting with the CPFF, a not-for-profit organization that promotes reconciliation between both sides of the conflict through education. CPFF representatives expressed the association's interest to continue collaborating with the Spanish Embassy in Tel Aviv and thanked it for the support it had provided.
The Central Asia Observatory (OAC) now has a website Central Asia Observatory (OAC), comprising Casa Asia, Elcano Royal Institute and the CIDOB Foundation, has set up a website, http://www. asiacentral.es, and an online news bulletin. News articles are published on the website in six Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan and Mongolia, as well as information related to this geographic area.
A foreign affairs in brief 29
The President of the EU Social Protection Committee will be Spanish Aurelio Fernández will be the president of the European Union Social Protection Committee for 2009 and 2010. The committee is a consultative body that coordinates the different activities of the EU countries and the Commission on social protection, basically in the areas of pensions, social inclusion and long-term care.
The Spanish blue berets in Lebanon are decorated The Spanish blue berets deployed in south Lebanon have been decorated with the UN medal at the Miguel de Cervantes military base in Blat (south Lebanon). The UNIFIL commander, General Claudio Graziano and Spanish general, Juan Carlos Medina attended the ceremony.
Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs' trip to Iraq The Secretary of State, Ángel Lossada, travelled to Iraq to meet with the Iraqi authorities. The trip took place at the start of a new era for the country as the Iraqi government takes on its full responsibilities. In recent years, Spain has had regular bilateral contact with Iraq, maintaining a diplomatic presence in Baghdad at all times.
The Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs, Ángel Lossada, during the recent delivery of a plane and a helicopter to the Senegalese government for maritime monitoring, search and rescue. photo efe
Spain's artistic contribution to the United Nations. Their Majesties the King and Queen, together with the Prime Minister and Secretary General of the United Nations, inaugurated the dome of the “Human Rights and the Alliance of Civilizations Room” in Geneva
Barceló completes his work in the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva. Their Majesties the King and Queen, Don Juan Carlos and Doña Sofía, Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, together with Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary General, presided over the inauguration ceremony for Room XX of the Palace of Nations in Geneva, which shall now be known as the “Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room.” It is the largest artistic work in the history of the United Nations. The ceremony was attended by over 700 guests as well as by the Swiss President, Pascal Couchepin, and Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish Prime Minister who together with Spain was the driving force behind the Alliance of Civilizations. The Mallorcan artist, Miquel Barceló, was given the task of decorating over 1,400 square meters of the ellipsoidal dome that crowns the room. This required over 35,000 kilos of paint with ingredients and pigments from all corners of the globe. The 'mar de Barceló' (Sea of Barceló), on sale since December 12 this year, shows the process involved in painting the huge dome and includes the water colors painted by the artist during the year he spent in Geneva, as well as 150 photographs that have immortalized his work. The redesigning of Room XX marks a return to the glittering tradition of collaboration between Spain and multilateral forums, the first example of which were the murals by Spanish
View of the room renovated by the Spanish state, and Miquel Barceló's work of art. photo efe
artist, José María Sert, painted in 1936 for the Council of the League of Nations Hall. This marked the end to a project backed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation -managed through the ONUART Foundation- which came about as a result of the King and Queen of Spain's visit to Geneva in March of 2005. During this trip, the United Nations asked them if Spain would make an artistic contribution to the renovation of the Palace of Nations.
30 A foreign affairs in brief
From November 27. Spain will take over the Presidency of the Council of Europe from Switzerland. It will carry out this responsibility until May next year. The Spanish Presidency coincides with the organization's 60th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of its most symbolic institution, the European Court of Human Rights.
CONSEJO DE EUROPA Presidencia española Priorities 1Promoting human rights, the Rule of Law and OF EUROPE democracy. COUNCIL Spain proposes Spanish Chairmanship to increase the effectiveness of the CONSEIL DE L'EUROPE espagnole European Court ofPresidence Human Rights and ensure that the current European moratorium on the death penalty becomes a permanent ban.
2International cooperation against terrorism.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, alongside the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, Terry Davis, and the outgoing president, the Swiss foreign affairs minister, Carl Bildt, during the Committee of Ministers meeting in Strasbourg on November 27. photo javier hernández
Spain assumes the Presidency of the Council of Europe The decisions made by the Council of Europe affect more than 800 million people in 47 countries. It has passed more than 200 European treaties in areas as varied as cultural cooperation, organized crime and data protection. However, its primary task is the defense of human rights, the Rule of Law and democracy in Europe. In this regard, its greatest achievement was the European Convention of Human Rights, the most important legal framework for the defense of basic rights in Europe. In 1959 the European Court of Human Rights was created, to protect the rights set out in the Convention, such as the right to life, the prohibition of torture and slavery, the right to freedom and security, and the right to a fair trail. Any citizen can make a complaint if they consider that a member state has violated one of their basic rights and they have not found a sat-
isfactory outcome through their national courts. The Council of Europe, in addition to acting as a guardian of human rights in Europe, makes recommendations to governments in relation to law, health, the media, education, culture and sport. It also promotes cooperation between nation states to combat terrorism, organized crime and human trafficking, as well as promoting cooperation with organizations such as the EU, the OSCE and the UN. The organization's main bodies are: the Committee of Ministers, currently chaired by Miguel Ángel Moratinos, which brings together the representatives from the member states, and the Parliamentary Assembly, where the representatives from the national parliaments meet, with Lluis María de Puig as the Secretary General.
Spain has extensive experience of fighting terrorism and it is aware of the importance of international cooperation.
3The promotion of inter-
cultural dialogue. Our country is one of the greatest defenders of dialogue between cultures. It took part in drafting the COE's White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue. 4 Gender equality. It has supported the application of the measures and recommendations issued by the Council of Europe in recent years. It will also push forward the drafting of a treaty against violence to women.
5Migration and its re-
percussions in the member states. Migration is an interna-
tional phenomenon and therefore, in order to manage it, there needs to be agreement between the countries in the region.
6Strengthening the rela-
tions of the Council of Europe with other international organizations. In
recent years the exchange of information and cooperation with other organizations such as the EU, OSCE and the UN has increased. Spain wants to continue in the same vein.
7Improving the contribution of the Parliamentary Assembly
A foreign affairs in brief 31 MAEC 2009 Budgets. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation presented an austerity budget for the upcoming fiscal year
Austere and compassionate budgets for 2009 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation will have a budget of 3.618 billion euros for 2009. The figures approved by the government show an increase of 5.96% compared to the previous year and are in response to a foreign policy based on defense and security, protecting human rights, promoting democratic values and increasing the effectiveness of international law. The MAEC's budget for 2009 is an austere, compassionate and tough budget that includes, among other things, expenditures arising from the Spanish Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and the Presidency of the European Union. Also included are the contribution to the European Visa Information System, the implementation of the “Law of His-
torical Memory� and the extension of the satellite communications network. The budget includes the main priorities for state foreign affairs such as supporting the reform of the United Nations System, the consolidation of European and Mediterranean policy and strategic reinforcement in the Ibero-American arena. It also includes actions arising from the new plans for Africa and the Asia-Pacific which will soon come into force. The MAEC's 2009 budget for international cooperation has increased by 6.9%, assigning 2.899 billion euros to the fight against poverty, providing improved quality and effectiveness to Official Development Aid, in accordance with the directives of the new 20092012 Master Plan.
facts
5.96% increase in the budget,
from 3.414 billion euros in 2008 to a planned 3.617 billion in 2009
226.08%
increase over the 2005-2009 period. In 2005 the budget was 1.109 billion euros
16.36%
increase in the foreign affairs budget, from 702.96 million euros in 2008 to a planned 719.32 million in 2009
187.17%
increase in international cooperation, reaching 2.899 billion euros the following year
626.21
million euros designated for diplomatic and consular work in 2009, compared with 613.41 million in 2008
453.09% increase in Of-
ficial Development Aid-MAEC, from 489 million euros in 2005 to a planned 2.757 billion during the next year.
10th Ministerial Conference on the Barcelona Process-Union for the Mediterranean. The Secretary General of the new organization will be elected from the candidates put forward by the countries in the Southern Mediterranean Basin.
Barcelona will be the headquarters of the Union for the Mediterranean Barcelona has been selected as the headquarters of the Permanent Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean at the 10th Ministerial Conference of the Process of Barcelona-Union for the Mediterranean held in November in Marseilles. A benchmark city in the Euro-Mediterranean project and a symbol of continuity in relations between both sides, Barcelona has been the stage for two important events in the past: the inaugural conference at
the Barcelona Process in 1995 and the first Euro-Mediterranean Summit in 2005. The establishing of the Permanent Secretariat of the organization, which joins the European Union with the southern basin of the Mediterranean, marks a new stage in the process of building a shared Mediterranean space. Barcelona is an open and cosmopolitan city with a clear Mediterranean orientation and an undeniable
European identity. It shares a long history of influences, dialogue and cooperation with the communities of the Mediterranean Basin. An active and innovative city with an exceptional geographic location and pride in its traditions, it is a paradigm for dialogue and cooperation in the Mediterranean. The future headquarters of the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean is a historic building situated on the Avenida Diagonal, one of the main thoroughfares in Barcelona and the financial and commercial heart of the city. Surrounded by 74,000 square meters of gardens, the main building has various rooms to hold official ceremonies and has a capacity of 300.
32 A analysis
The value of the Spanish language in the world. Madrid recently hosted the General Assembly for the InterAmerican Press Association, where the relationship between the Spanish language and journalism was analyzed. Our language, the second most studied in the world, is a major asset for the international presence of Spain.
Alex Grijelmo We work so that people are aware of the situations in Spain and Latin America” president of the efe agency
—At thirteen you decided to become a journalist and at 16 you published your first article. It is unusual to be so precocious. — Yes I decided very early on to become a journalist, when I was at school. But I also dreamed of being a soccer player. The reason I didn't make it was because Burgos didn't have enough talent scouts and nobody noticed my ability as a goalkeeper. My great failure. —You were already making money from journalism when you were studying for your degree, when you got around 20 pesetas a week for producing a magazine for your fellow students. — Before working on “La Voz de Castilla” (The Voice of Castille) I was already producing a newspaper at school
with two of my classmates. We would write a few pages on a typewriter, stick on photos cut out from magazines, and staple it all together... I would write, among other things, Burgos C.F. match reports. We would do interviews with pupils, Burgos personalities and even local soccer players. Then we would loan it out for one peseta (because we could only produce one copy) and we would make good money considering the era and our age. — Your professional career is enviable. Nevertheless, have you found many differences between your boyhood dreams and the daily life of an active journalist? — I dreamt of writing, to be like Chema Martínez, Julio César Iglesias, Simón Rufo, or Rienzi. Or rather, those that
were then featured in the “As” newspaper that my uncle, José Luis used to buy. Later my responsibilities drew me away from journalism, but I satisfied my writing bug by writing books. — What would you change about the journalism profession? What are its main faults and shortcomings? — To answer this requires a lecture. But to make a long story short, I would change the facile journalism of simplification that we see so much of nowadays. And, above all, journalism from a single source: that of a journalist who checks nothing and uses the first version they find or whatever is sent to them, the kind of journalism that tends to confuse what is believable with what is true. — Aside from your work as a journal-
A analysis 33
profile A native of Burgos and 52 years of age, he published his first article at age 16, in La Voz de Castilla, the newspaper where he would work while studying journalism. In 1977, he joined the Europa Press agency, and six years later was hired by the newspaper El País, where he had different roles until reaching the position of 'general manager of urgent international content' in 2002. Two years later he was appointed president of the Efe Agency. He has been a teacher at the School of Journalism at the Autonomous University of Madrid ‘El País’ and also teaches at the New Ibero-American Journalism Foundation. In 1999 he won the Miguel Delibes National Journalism Award and the Antena de Oro (Golden Antennae) in 2006 for his work at Radio Nacional. Alongside his journalistic work, Grijelmo has written the essays 'Defensa apasionada del idioma español' (A Passionate Defense of the Spanish Language), 'La seducción de las palabras' (The Seduction of Words) and 'La gramática descomplicada' (Grammar Made Easy).
ist you are also renowned for your “passionate defense” of language. Are you preaching in the wilderness? — I sincerely don't believe that I'm preaching in the wilderness because the books keep being re-published. 'Defensa Apasionada del Idioma Español' (A Passionate Defense of the Spanish Language) is now ten years old and a new reprint is currently being released. I have the feeling that my books take a while to get noticed, but eventually I see that someone's listening. Sometimes, I even hear examples and explanations that came out in these books a long time ago.
— Imagine that you are appointed Minister of Education. What would be your first measure in regard to language teaching? — To bring back Latin at school. Latin is an intellectual gym of the highest order. It has no purpose in real life, I know, but nor do the drills that soccer players do in their training sessions. However, they do make them perform better in matches. Latin helps you to think more clearly and better express yourself. And this helps you to convince people more easily. — And if they were to appoint you as an Academician of the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language? — I normally answer this question saying that I have the top spot at “Efe”, and I'm happy with that. The Academy working very well at the moment. I wouldn't do anything that it isn't doing already. I suppose I would propose some additional words for inclusion in the dictionary and some to be removed, which would mainly include unnecessary and little-used anglicisms. — As president of EFE, which measures have been adopted in defense of language? — The main one is the creation of the "Foundation of Urgent Spanish" (Fundéu), a not-for-profit organization devoted to advising the media on how best to use the Spanish language. — You have said that you aspire to strengthen EFE's influence in Hispanic America. How do you achieve this? — At the moment we have sent representatives to countries such as the Dominican Republic, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay. And we have already increased our client base over there. We made a huge step forward in 2006, when following a commercial restructuring, our income in Latin America increased by 19%. In 2003, we had 666 clients on that continent and now we have over 900. — EFE's Arabic service has been in operation for more than two years. How has that turned out?
— We've completed the start-up phase and now we are in the consolidation phase. We have about twenty clients in an area where it's not easy to break into the market. Two years is a very short amount of time for an agency to establish itself as a benchmark, but we are ahead of our forecasts. — What is more important , financial gains or the “political” gains of EFE's international reputation? — They go hand in hand. If you make a good information product, you will sell to lots of clients. If you sell to lots of clients you will have an influence over these societies. And if you have lots of clients then the profits follow. But this isn't a political gain, but rather a way to contribute to mutual understanding between nations; and we need people to be aware of the situations in Spain and Latin America. — A red-hot issue is the independence of the media. Is EFE an independent agency or does it experience interference from the public authorities? — At this time Efe is an independent company, with a Statute of Writing drawn up by its journalists which ensures that they follow certain ethical principles and that the public or economic powers do not interfere. Not long ago I declared publicly that Rodríguez Zapatero had kept his promise. And I had waited five years to do so in order to be sure. Independence is upheld each day and it also involves a lot of saying 'no'. — Finally, what will Alex Grijelmo do after his presidency at EFE? —Have a drink with Lola Álvarez, the director general, who will have accompanied me throughout this exciting time, and remember the bad and the good things that happened to us; mourn the loss of the management team formed here, which was a very close-knit group and has left the agency; remember all the great people I worked with at Efe; help with the arrival of my successor, if he or she wants me to... And look for another job. But, just as Asterix the Gaul thought, this won't happen tomorrow.
34 c cooperation
AECID projects for environmental strategy Over recent decades, the effects of rapid demographic change, an improvement in the living conditions of the population, urbanization and the introduction of large scale irrigation has placed immense pressure on Morocco's scarce water resources, highlighting the disparity between regions and the almost total absence of purification systems.
Irrigation canals at the Oued Lau basin in Morocco. photos pepa acedo
Efficient water management in Morocco: a necessity for sustainable development Morocco is a country with some of the greatest biodiversity in North Africa, but it is also one of the nations most serious affected by the degradation of its environment and abuse of its own natural resources. In Morocco there are seven Water Agencies which deal with both integrated and decentralized management of water. The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), acting within the framework of its environmental strategy, develops projects to strengthen the institutions and abili-
ties of the agencies that oversee the river Loukkos and Molouya, the river Oued Lau and the National Office for Potable Water (ONEP). They are currently working in
President of the APIA Cooperative
four areas in Tetuan and Chefchaouen, in the Oued Lau basin, to improve living standards for the population through measures such as the opening of rural roads to counteract isolation, the rehabilitation of irrigation canals to minimize water loss, the protection of the river basin, the diversification of crops to slow down deforestation and the supplying of drinking water. At the Loukkos water agency, the AECID's work has focused on the fight against flooding and water pollution. An early alert system has been put in place which measures the flow of the Martil River, the main cause of flooding in Tetuan, using radar and information systems that allow forecasts to be made, thus minimizing risk and damage. 15% of water pollution is caused by refuse generated by the olive harvest, and so a pilot project has been put in place that will benefit 1,300 farmers and their families through the APIA cooperative. It is a comprehensive project that not only addresses water treatment, but also helps to improve the productive fabric, the cooperative movement and environmental awareness. It has improved the production process, leading to recycling and the productive use of residues, and currently increases profits from oil production by up to 30%. The waste generated by the olive harvest, which can reach 6,000 tons, no longer ends up in the Loukkos, but dries in a pond and is converted into combustible material. Work is also currently underway to create an agreement with the Institute of feed and livestock to continue researching other possible uses for these residues. â—† Virginia Castrejana
c cooperation 35 Held November 25
International Day against Gender Violence
H.M. the Queen with the Secretary of State for Ibero-America, Trinidad Jiménez, during the inauguration ceremony.
New AECID headquarters in Peru Her Majesty the Queen Doña Sofía opened the new headquarters of the AECID Technical Office for Cooperation in Peru. After unveiling a commemorative plaque, the Queen took a tour of the facilities accompanied by Peru's First Lady, Pilar Norez de García. The new headquarters, next to the Spanish Embassy in Lima, is situated in a building described as "republican architecture”.
Prize for the rehabilitation of the Mercado de Gracias in Honduras The Santiago de Compostela Prize for Urban Cooperation has been awarded to the “Rehabilitation of the Municipal Market” project, presented to the Mayor's office in Gracias (Honduras). This award is part of an agreement between Santiago and the AECID that includes support initiatives for management and planning in Latin American cities. The prize of 180,000 euros will be spent on the rehabilitation of the old marketplace and the construction of an annex.
Yasser Bagerh, Bekele Mekonen and Sinafikish Zeleke are three of the 30 Ethiopian authors of a mural over 100 meters long covering the emblematic Meskel Square in Addis Ababa. The AECID and the Complutense University de Madrid brought this work of African art to Spain to celebrate the International Day against Gender Violence, uniting their voices with that of the United Nations' campaign that aims to raise awareness of the violence suffered by millions of women throughout the world. Students from the Department of Fine Arts installed the mural at the University and, drawing upon it as a source of inspiration, they worked to express respect for the rights and dignity of women through art.
Mayors from Mauritania visit Spain 15 mayors and town councils from Wilaya in Brakna, one of the poorest places in Mauritania, visited Spain with the support of the AECID to gain experience in city management from our country. During the visit, they met with officers from the Ministry for Public Administrations, the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, the Andalusian Agency for International Cooperation and other Andalusian institutions..
10th Anniversary of the AECID's school-workshop in La Antigua La Antigua, a World Heritage city, has had its School-Workshop, a joint project between the Municipality and the AECID, for ten years. During this time, the School has carried out specific projects such as the restoration of the building of the Compañía de Jesús, the Santo Tomás de Aquino college, the César Brañas municipal hall, the La Merced Municipal Complex and the Escuela de Cristo.
Mural installed in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia).
December 2-4, in Havana
International Conference on Historical Centers “The home in the historic center: a social and technological challenge” was the central theme of the 7th International Conference on the Use and Management of Historic Centers, held in Havana on December 2-4 and organized by the City Historian's Office with the support of the AECID and with the participation of Spaniards Ignacio Fernández and Jordi Borja, along with others.
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Interview. The Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs met with officials from AECID's Humanitarian Action group to discuss the most recent Spanish contributions in this field. During his visit, Holmes gave a report on the reform process currently taking place in the office he directs.
John Holmes “The World Financial Crisis should not have any effect upon the flow of humanitarian aid˝
photos pepa acedo
UN Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs
“We are concerned about the effects the world financial crisis could have on budgets earmarked for humanitarian aid.” During a recent visit to Spain, John Holmes, UN Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, insisted on the need for donor countries
to maintain their budgets for international development, despite the financial crisis that is currently worrying the international community. Holmes' visit, during which he met with officials from the Spanish Agency for International Development Coop-
eration (AECID) to discuss new Spanish contributions being made in the humanitarian field, also saw him take part in the AECID Discussions, which dealt with International Reform of the System of Humanitarian Aid and the role played by the United Nations. John Holmes also explained to the Spanish press the functions carried out by the Office he directs - Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) - and his concern for the worsening natural catastrophes and the lack of prevention programs, the security of humanitarian workers, the current global food crisis and the need to help those who fall victim to prolonged conflicts such as those in Darfur, the D. R. of the Congo, Somalia, Chad, the Palestinian Territories and Afghanistan. Holmes also reported on the reform process taking place in his Office, which includes the creation of the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), "a new common fund for rapid response to catastrophes," which by October 14, 2008 had already reached 1 billion dollars set aside for meeting humanitarian throughout the world. Through the AECID, Spain is currently the fifth-largest donor to the CERF, with a total of 43,634,984 dollars, some 34,530,000 euros. ◆ Laura Losada
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Spain to host a meeting on food security On January 26 and 27, 2009, Spain will host a high-level meeting on food security as a precursor to another that will be held in the first half of 2010, coinciding with the Spanish presidency of the European Union. The objective of both dates is to prepare for and give a boost to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the fight against hunger and extreme poverty .
I Ibero-American Design Biennial From November 24 through December 4, Madrid is hosting the First Ibero-American Design Biennial; a collective, multi-disciplinary exhibition for Ibero-American designers that enjoys financial support from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and aims to become one of the most important dates for promoting contemporary Ibero-American design. In its first edition, the BID has brought to light the most representative, outstanding and innovative initiatives in Ibero-American design with the Poster for the event. participation of established figures and young talents from different branches of the design field, who have brought new ideas to a constantly changing world.
Funded by the AECID
The documentary “Ya no más” garners awards at the Ícaro Festival The documentary “Ya no más” has been awarded one of the prizes at the 9th Annual Ícaro Festival of regional Latin American cinema and television. “Ya no más” deals with violence against women in Nicaragua. Produced by Félix Zurita de Higes and funded by AECID and the Catalonian Agency for Development Cooperation as well as by other institutions, it also won a prize at the Festival de Cine de Pamplona and has been screened in Law schools in universities in Argentina, Venezuela, Ecuador, Chile, Costa Rica and Panama to deal with the subject of violence against women.
Nurses from Niger receive HIV/AIDS training in Madrid A delegation of nurses from Niger received a training course on the prevention and comprehensive treatment of HIV/AIDS as part of the Project in support of human resource training funded by the AECID in collaboration with the Carlos III Foundation and the Health board of the Community of Madrid.
Fresh food for Saharan refugees in Tinduf Over recent weeks, the AECID's Office for Humanitarian Action has distributed 500,532 kg of fresh food (potatoes, onions, carrots and mandarins) in the Saharan refugee camps at Tinduf (Algeria). The goal of this effort is to diversify the basic range of foods that the population has access to, contributing in this way to improving their nutritional situation. Women have played an essential role in the distribution of food, acting as daira (area) chiefs within the camps.
Women in justice administration in Spain and Morocco On November 27 and 28, Spanish and Moroccan women took part in special sessions on "Women in justice administration in Spain and Morocco" organized by the AECID in collaboration with the Center for Legal Studies and the Ministry of Equality, with the aim of contributing to the modernization of justice administration in Morocco.
Opening of the Technical Office for Cooperation in East Timor On November 24, the Technical Office for Cooperation (OTC) was officially opened in Dili, East Timor. The ceremony was attended by President José Ramos Horta and the European Commissioner for Development, Louis Michel. East Timor is a country of particular interest for Spanish Cooperation efforts.
First edition
Narrative Competition “Contando el Sur” To draw closer to the Southern Hemisphere, to get to know it better and try to reduce its differences with the North are just some of the aims of the book “Maleta vacía y otros relatos de cooperación.” It includes 16 short stories chosen by the "Primer Certamen de Narrativa Contando el Sur.” The story entitled “Maleta vacía”, by Javier Esteban Jiménez, was the winner. “La Yellamma” and “Un día de verano, un triángulo” were the runners-up. The majority of the stories submitted to this first Competition, a successful event that enjoyed the participation of more than 150 people, came from volunteers.
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Paradores, treasures of Spanish heritage
The Parador de Santo Estevo, nestled between the river MiĂąo and the Sil in the Galician Ribeira Sacra region, is a clear example of the restoration of historic buildings that Paradores carries out. In this instance, a Benedictine monastery declared as an Historic-Artistic Monument in 1923 was restored. On the left, views from the Parador de Salamanca, the spa in the Parador de Vielha (Lleida) and the courtyard at the Parador de Carmona (Seville). paradores photo
Reliving the history of Spain while staying in ancient buildings is a reality for a million and a half tourists each year in the 93 Paradores located all over Spain. The network's strategic plan aims to ensure that the Paradores of the 21st century, in addition to being historic treasures, are modern and ecologically sustainable. by Beatriz Beeckmans
Paradores are synonymous with historic buildings, unique natural spaces, excellent cuisine and quality service. Visitors to the Parador de Granada have the chance to spend a night on the grounds of the Alhambra, surrounded by gardens and fountains that evoke an era in which the Arab and Christian worlds were founded. “Thanks for giving us such a warm welcome to this small paradise within Paradise,� wrote Mario Vargas Llosa in the 'Libro de Oro' (Golden Book) where guests leave their impressions. Financially, the figures speak for
themselves. The occupancy rate is 70%, a figure that beats all European hotel chains of a similar size, and last year its revenues exceeded 283.77 million euros. These figures show that the Spanish chain is a profitable and competitive company, and a vital part of its contribution is its commitment to preserving artistic and cultural heritage. Behind this success is the Spanish government, the only shareholder in the joint stock company that manages the hotel group. An 80-year voyage. The history of
Paradores began 80 years ago when, in Sierra de Gredos on the outskirts of Madrid, the first Parador de Turismo in Spain was opened under the auspices of King Alfonso XIII. This was the beginning of a project initiated by the Spanish government in 1910 to create a hotel infrastructure in Spain, virtually non-existent at the time, that would provide accommodations for tourists and promote Spain's image abroad. Its 30 hotel beds in 1928 have increased to almost 11,000 today, and the chain has hotels in all of the autonomous communities except the
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facts 61 average number of rooms. 100 hotels is the goal for 2013. More than 150 million euros invested in modernization. 1.5 million customers in 2007. The restoration effort constitutes 47% of the network's sales. 2.5 million meals served per year. 28 routes available to get to know Spain
Balearic Islands. These innan, Saddam Hussein, Umclude some of the most spec- The first berto Eco and Jimmy Carter tacular castles, palaces and Parador de are some of the famous inmonasteries in Spain, located Turismo was dividuals who have enjoyed in monumental settings and opened in 1928 the comfortable rooms and national parks. The build- in the Sierra de peaceful strolls at the Paraings are owned by Spanish Gredos, under dores found in various SpanNational Heritage and it runs the auspices of ish cities. them as hotels. The guests of King Alfonso Staying true to its foundParadores are mostly Spanish, XIII ing principles, the chain is but every year a greater numnow undertaking its largest ber of foreign tourists visit, attracted expansion process since the 1970s, by the opportunity to see the iconic which will result in the opening of 13 locations of Spain's history first hand. new hotels over the next few years. Grace and Rainier of Monaco, Kofi An- These will include the first Parador
on the Balearic Islands. Located in the Castillo de la Almudaina (Almudaina Castle), which dates back to the 18th century, the prospective Parador de Ibiza will crown the city's old town, Dalt Vila. In Veruela, Zaragoza, a 12th century monastery surrounded by a 16th century wall will also be converted into a Parador in the near future. Aware that having a Parador as an accommodation option is a huge attraction for tourists, there are currently 150 requests from Spanish towns offering their own unique locations for new Paradores.
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In order to achieve the objectives established in the 2009-2012 Strategic Plan, which prioritizes the modernization of hotels over the expansion of the network, Paradores will initially carry out renovation works worth a total of 150 million euros at 20% of its properties. The plan aims to conserve and improve the value of many of the historic and monumental buildings that are home to Paradores, but also to fit them out with the latest technology and advances in comfort. Thus, this contemporary interpretation of the chain's values allows people to stay in a medieval fortress or sleep in a canopy bed, while at the same time benefiting from a Wi-Fi connection. In addition, the “Parador Verde” (Green Parador) project will be initiated, which establishes shared sustainability criteria for all hotels and includes energy saving plans, reduction of green-house gas emissions, use of clean energy and waste recycling. Paradores is notable for its leadership in implementing sustainable tourism. It is the chain with the most hotels in Europe bearing the European seal of approval, EMAS, which certifies environmentally friendly tourism models. Among the Paradores network's founding principles is the desire to recover historic heritage for tourism purposes, enabling it to be preserved and maintained. Promoting traditional regional cuisine is another of the Paradores chain's successes. In fact, this sector constitutes 47% of its sales. In keeping with its founding purpose, Paradores is celebrating its 80th anniversary as an instrument of Spain's tourism policy that projects an image of modernity and quality abroad, while contributing to the restoration and maintenance of Spanish heritage. It also plays an important role in conserving natural spaces and as a driving force in areas with low levels of tourism and slow economies, contributing to the diversification of Spain's tourism offering.
backing training The Paradores Escuela (Paradores School) project was initiated in 2006 with the goal of taking full advantage of the knowledge accumulated by Paradores employees. Consisting of the Parador Hostal de San Marcos, in León, and the Parador Santo Domingo Bernardo de Fresneda, in La Rioja, it has become a tourism academy for both practical and theoretical study. Within this framework, the 'Kitchen Specialization and Management' course will be launched in March of 2009 and will last for two years. It is targeted to young people who wish to acquire knowledge and experience from top professionals.
unique rooms Lodging in rooms where kings and noblemen have rested, high up in the tower of a medieval castle or in the abbot's cell in a Cistercian monastery, is an example of what the 60 most spectacular of the network's 5,600 rooms can offer. In the image, room 106 (Alcoba Infante Don Juan Manuel) of the Parador de Alarcón, former private entrance to the battlements.
80 years of gastronomy Paradores is celebrating its 80th birthday with a gastronomic initiative that will enable people to sample 8 menus based on current Spanish culinary tradition and the typical dishes of different regions. The price will be the same as the founding year of the Parador. Thus, the “Cádiz” menu will cost 19.29 euros, since that Parador was opened in 1929. The dessert that will be offered at all paradores is the “trilogy of the Spanish sweet culture”: tocinillo de cielo (Andalusianstyle crème caramel), arroz con leche (rice pudding), and turrón (nougat).
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Historic, modern and green paradores Miguel Martínez
president-managing director of Paradores de Turismo
Since becoming the President of this company I have been asked on numerous occasions to describe in just a few words what the difference is between our Paradores and other hotels. My answer is always the same: historic walls, monumental buildings, unique natural spaces, the finest traditional Spanish cuisine, and exceptional service. Alongside these features I would also like to use this opportunity to emphasize that being a state-owned company also differentiates us from the other chains. Paradores offer food and accommodations, but they also promote culture and the preservation of Spanish national heritage, and they have an exemplary employment policy. This is how our hotels are and should continue to be. We have a reliable and prestigious brand, but as is always the case, we cannot, nor do we want to rest on our laurels. This is why we have laid out our 2009-2012 Strategic Plan, in which we mark out the path we are going to follow over the next four years. The challenge we have ahead of us is to innovate and modernize our network. From now until 2012 we are going to invest between 130 and 170 million euros to fit our hotels out with the latest advances in technology and com-
fort. During this period we will modernize 19 Paradores and the Hostería del Estudiante Alcalá de Henares, which will involve work being carried out on over 20% of the network. These updates are in addition to those done in recent years and that have brought about the modernization of iconic Paradores such as those in Toledo or the Alhambra in Granada. Alongside the essential construction work in the Paradores, we are also strongly backing sustainability. As a result, we have christened one of the cores areas of our work the ‘Green Parador.’ This title covers a series of initiatives that we will implement in our 93 establishments, such as clean energy, waste recycling, water and electricity conservation measures, and the exclusive use of recycled paper. During this period we are also going to put a great deal of effort into relaunching our gastronomic offering. Paradores wants to take up once again its role as the ‘guardian’ of Spain's culinary history. In order to do this we are going to implement numerous initiatives aiming to raise awareness among our potential customers about our offering, while quashing the idea that eating in a Parador is a luxury afforded only by the privileged
From now until 2012 we are going to invest between 130 and 170 million euros to fit our Paradores with the latest advances in technology and comfort. Paradores wants to take up once again its role as the ‘guardian’ of Spain's culinary history.
few. With this in mind we have already launched our new ‘80 years of gastronomy’ project, which will last for the next twelve months. Under this umbrella we will celebrate our 80th birthday by singing the praises of the traditional Paradores cuisine. Anyone who goes to one of our establishments, from now until November 2009, can choose from a variety of sampler menus, based on traditional dishes from our culinary heritage, for no more than 20 euros. Finally, being a state-owned company, we also seek to set an example through our employment policies. In these difficult times, more than ever we would like to continue backing stability, promotion and equality among our workers. Therefore, we are going to create 600 new job positions, most of them permanent, and we will improve training and equality plans among our workforce. With all of these facts and projects, it is evident that the Paradores of the second decade of the 21st century will continue to offer hotels that are unique and monumental, either because of the history of the region or due to the natural beauty that surrounds them. However, they will also be green and modern, offer improved leisure activities, and be more comfortable than ever.
42 C Spanish sport National soccer team > The
The ‘Golden age’ of Spanish sport
soccer team owes its triumph at the European Soccer Championships in Vienna to its Spanish fans. After an eternity of trying and not succeeding, the generation of Torres, Casillas, Xavi and the other players captained by Aragonés brought pride back to a sport in which Spain had lost all the major competitions.
National basketball team > The Olympic silver tasted as good as gold for a team that kept the United States on their toes. A new generation, free from complexes and excuses, that shines in the NBA and is called upon to mark an era that has been living on the memory of silver at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
2008 closes with some of the most exceptional international sporting results for Spain. A generation of young people are leading a new Spain that is achieving amazing results in key sporting competitions, strengthening our position following the emergence of sport at the Olympic Games in Barcelona '92 with the shared dream of Madrid 2016 on the horizon. by Javier Hernández
There is no doubt that sports don't solve our problems, but they certainly bring much happiness. And in this year that now draws to a close, sports will add a sweet savor to our collective memory. The exceptional level in sport that began with the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992 has reached its zenith 17 years later. And this is no small feat for a country that, fifty years ago, had no presence at all on the international sporting scene. At the beginning of the modern Olympic Games first held in Athens in 1896, Spanish sport was practically non-
Spain's medal results at the summer games
existent and did not figure among the political priorities of Spain's tumultuous history during much of the 20th Century. There were ten Games held between the Paris Olympic Games in 1924 and those of Mexico City in 1968, and in those ten we won only 5 medals: 2 less than Portugal and 188 less than France. Spain tried to raise its profile with Real Madrid, Bahamontes, Santana, Ángel Nieto and Severiano Ballesteros, but soccer, cycling, tennis, motorcycling and golf were not Olympic sports. Most of these attempts were epic gestures in black and white made by mere 'quixotes' from an internationally isolated Spain. They were the idols of a country that did not exist on the international
scene and that longed for its lost power and influence. The turning point can be traced to the Munich Olympic Games in 1972, the games that shocked the world with the terrorist attack against the Israeli delegation in the Olympic village. Since then, Spain has never failed to medal, despite its irregular and often scarce presence on the medals stand. Sailing has been the sport where Spain has earned the highest number of medals; we haven't been off the medal boards in this sport since Munich. The next step forward was taken in 1992. Spain was suddenly on the map after a democratic transition which
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0 1 0 T 1 P 34˚
0 0 1 T 1 P 41˚
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Paris 1900
Antwerp 1920
Amsterdam 1928
Los Angeles 1932
London 1948
Helsinki 1952
Rome 1960
Munich 1972
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Montreal 1976
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Moscow 1980
C Spanish sport 43 Rafa Nadal and the ‘Spanish Armada’ > His four consecutive
Contador, Sastre, Freire... in the post-Induráin era > Gold
Sergio García, following Bal- Alonso and the Formula 1 felesteros' star > In a sport that com- ver> Thanks to this Asturian driver,
victories at Rolland Garros and glory at this year's Wimblendon confirmed him as tennis's number one player. Following in Nadal's footsteps are a number of young players who have given our country their third Davis Cup after beating Argentina.
in cycling at the Olympic Games, the Giro d'Italia, the Tour de France, the Vuelta a España...Spanish cyclists have dominated the 2008 competitions in a sport suffering a crisis that has lasted too long. They are the leaders in new international cycling.
mands crowds and fortunes throughout the world, the man from Castille followed in the footsteps of other great Spanish golfers, reaching second place in the world rankings behind the incomparable Tiger Woods. It is a sport whose popularity in Spain is growing daily.
brought the 500-year Anniversary of the Discovery of America, the Universal Exposition in Seville, Madrid's designation as European Capital of Culture, and the Olympic Games in Barcelona, all in the same magical year. The Barcelona Olympics marked a new era for Spanish sport with a total of 22 medals, 13 of which were gold, in an arena in which it had never before been able to succeed. After the victories won by Miguel Induráin in cycling, Arancha Sánchez Vicario in tennis, Carlos Sáinz in
Gold medals Silver medals Bronze medals T Total medals P Medal rating
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Los Angeles 1984
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rally driving and Abel Antón in the marathon, the 1990s saw a new path opened to a new Spain that had been through the transition and was asking for acceptance into the world of international sport. It received support from institutions and businesses that tried, using different formulas, to facilitate the professionalization of sports in our country. And the results started to roll in, consolidating our position in international sport with a generation that is now dazzling the world.
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Seoul 1988
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Barcelona 1992
Atlanta 1996
Sydney 2000
Athens 2004
Beijing 2008
we have discovered a sport in which formerly we simply had no presence. His two world championships and his exploits behind the wheel have left Spaniards trembling, almost replacing soccer as television's most watched competition.
But perhaps one of the greatest milestones of 2008 came with the Spanish team's triumph at the European Soccer Championships this summer. In a country where soccer is lived, breathed and loved like no other sport, the victory against Germany in the Euro 2008 finals sent the streets of Spain into delirium. And for good reason. Despite the recent victories of clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Seville, the national team had felt like a "little brother" since its last meaningful victory at the European Championships in 1964. Its luck changed in a tournament where Spain convincingly, while settling old scores. It was the national basketball team, current world champion and Olympic runner-up, that cleared the way for team sports with a generation of players who have triumphed in the NBA and dazzled everyone with their courage and nerve. Pau Gasol, the highest scorer at the Olympic tournament with 157 points, has led the way for other Spaniards in the world's greatest competition. They even managed to hold their own in the Olympic final against the formidable US team. Rafael Nadal, awarded the Príncipe de Asturias Prize for Sport in 2008, number 1 in the world and this year's champion at Wimbledon and Rolland
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the tool of the future for global communication According to a study carried out by the prestigious ESSEC business school, sport will be the tool for world communication in the future. The research affirms that sporting events have become a powerful means of world communication in the last 40 years and that this trend will continue. The same study reflects on the opportunities for a country to position itself in the world through its own sporting events. Contrary to that what we may think, Spain is lagging in the consumption of media-based sports coverage, trailing the United States, United Kingdom and Australia, which have the highest consumption of such events.
HuMan development index in sport According to research carried out by Francisco Guzón at Madrid's Universidad Politécnica, Spain ranks 55th among nations which have an Olympic medal score that is higher than their human development rating. This study takes the average of the country's position in medal rankings and its ranking on the human development index. For example, Ethiopia, with its legion of track and field athletes, is the country making the most progress with a total of 151 medals compared to its position of 169th in the HDI. Another interesting statistic is the one indicating which countries achieve the most medals in terms of their population size. Spain occupies 40th place, with one medal per 2.56 million inhabitants, while the Bahamas occupy first place. The two main countries on the medal board, China and USA, are rated at just 68th and 43rd.
Garros, has become an icon of this new do if it is to continue growing. Certain Spain. He is followed by 5 other Span- critics have pointed out that Spain has iards among the world's top 20, who a still not made its mark on international few weeks ago managed to win Spain's sport and that the current situation is third Davis Cup. nothing more than a flash in the pan. And in cycling, the Spain that was And they might be right. If we look at searching for a new Induráin has found the medal board, our 18 medals pale in a generation of champions who have comparison to the 40 won by France, entered through the back door (Freire, the 47 by the UK and 29 by Italy. The Sastre, Pereiro, Contador), heeding task ahead is to master disciplines that the call to breathe new life into a sport until now have been non-existent in brought to its knees by doping scandals. Spanish sport. The best example of such As a result, the world's most important planning is that used by Britain. They cycling race, the Tour de France, has studied which sports tended to yield had three consecutive Spanish cham- the most medals and were the least pions, and the winners of the widespread, and then focused three most important races their efforts there: track cyThe task ahead this year all speak Spanish. cling, sailing, and rowing. In In addition to these sports is to master track cycling alone they won there have been successes in disciplines that 14 of their 47 medals in the last handball, water polo, sailing have Olympic Games, helping them and canoeing, to name but a been almost achieve 30 medals in Athens few, as well as missed oppor- non-existent 2004 and 47 in Beijing 2008. tunities in track and field and until now A similar example is France, swimming (two of the year's which has focused its efforts biggest disappointments). The Olympic on mastering sports like judo In the 12 Paralympic games Games of Barand taekwondo. Most of the that have been held, Spain celona '92 were Spanish medals were won in has shown constant improve- a turning point team sports, but the reality is ment and has realized its po- for Spain. The that a medal for an entire bastential by ranking 10th on the beginning of a ketball team counts the same new era with a historic medal board. as an individual one won in However, the health of our total of 22 medtable tennis. sports is not measured solely als, a number Others attribute our sucby the Olympic Games, which that still has not cesses to the talents of a few continue to be the equivalent been matched. geniuses, blaming the lack of of 28 world championships infrastructure and the preheld simultaneously. There carious nature of basic sports, are other sports that also count. Fer- the latter being an issue of vital impornando Alonso has been drawing the tance. It is in this field that Spain has attention of the whole country to the a great deal of work to do when comFormula 1 circuits, even before his two pared to the countries around us, as world championships sent media atten- is demonstrated by the fact that just tion sky-high. Sergio García is rubbing 41% of the Spanish population practice shoulders on the golf course with the sports regularly, as opposed to 73% in legendary Tiger Woods, reaching sec- France and 70% in the UK. ond place in the world ranking. Spanish With Madrid's candidacy for the motorcyclists have been flirting with 2016 Olympic Games acting as a colthe podiums of world championships lective goal and reinforcing the boost and there are an endless number of that was Barcelona '92, the year 2008 young people who each day are making now draws to an end as a magical year inroads into sports of all types. for Spanish sport, one that has placed However, Spain still has work to Spain on the world sporting map.
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Towards establishing Spain as a multi-sport power Jaime Lissavetzky
Secretary of State for Sport
The results for Spanish sport in 2008 suggest that we are on the way to establishing our country as a multi-sport power. This change involves becoming an important sport-producing country, where successes are regularly achieved. The good Olympic harvest and our victories in soccer, cycling, tennis and other sports confirm that the good times of Spanish sport are not a passing phase, but a firm reality. Successes have been achieved in both team sports and individual competitions. The achievements at Euro 2008, winning the Davis Cup, reaching the finals of the FedCup and winning medals in basketball, hockey and handball, all have brought us great satisfaction. With 3 medals and 3 nonmedal placings in Beijing, Spain was the European country with the best performance in team sports. And we have also had individual athletes such as Nadal, Contador, Sastre and Mengual, among many others, who have shined. The 22 medals at Global and European competitions were won in 12 sports. We have become an international benchmark country in many different sports. At Beijing, we were one of the countries with the highest participation in team sports. For the first time (with the exception of Barcelona) we had representatives in 25 of the 27 Olympic Federations. We did not compete in soccer
or baseball, in which we hold the European title and 3rd place in Europe, respectively. Spanish sport is going through a crucial era. During the Olympic Games we positioned ourselves among the top ten competitors in terms of number of participants, we won more gold medals than we had in Athens, and we achieved the second-best Olympic rating in our history. 2008 has been especially dazzling, to the point that every success served as incentive for the next. To win the bid for the 2016 Olympic Games would be the perfect starting point for raising the international profile of Spanish sport. It would be the perfect breeding ground for the beginning of a second sporting transition that would complete the first, which culminated in Barcelona92. Our recent triumphs have surged like springs from that first source. During and following those Games, Spain has won three quarters of the total number of medals it has earned in the history of the summer Olympic Games. This new transition could peak in London 2012 or perhaps in Madrid 2016, an event that would establish our role as a globally respected Olympic country. In order for this to happen, we must win a four-way final in which every candidate is excellent, but in which we have received better marks than in the previous project. We
With 3 medals and 3 nonmedal placings in Beijing, Spain was the European country with the best performance in team sports. For Madrid to win the bid for the 2016 Olympic Games would be the perfect starting point for raising the international profile of Spanish sport.
have a strong political support base, infrastructure, facilities, environment, transportation, experience, financing and legacy. Madrid's Olympic village is up to the highest standard, and as for the weakest areas from the 2005 evaluation, this bid is doing much better than the last one. Having 75% of the Olympic infrastructure already finished is important in times of economic crisis. As we can see, there has been a transformation of the role of sport in society, because sport now constitutes just as fundamental a part of society as art or culture. We have a society that works, trembles and dreams with its sportsmen and women. Our model becomes self-sufficient as society grants to sport an everincreasing degree of importance. Both collectively and individually, we are rubbing shoulders with sporting powers - something that would have previously been thought entirely impossible. Prime Minister JosĂŠ Luis RodrĂguez Zapatero has announced the creation of a Ministry for Sport. This is excellent news and a great source of satisfaction to our country's sporting community. Personally, I am particularly happy that this initiative has been adopted by the leader of a Socialist government. This decision recognized and embodied the great importance that sport now holds for Spain.
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Iberian ham conquers international markets One of the most prestigious foodstuffs in Spanish gastronomy, Iberian ham is slowly but surely breaking into major international markets like the United States and China. Earnings in the industry reached a figure of 1.5 billion euros in 2007. A unique breed, excellent feeding conditions, an exceptional climate and an age-old production process makes it a pleasure for the palate and a guarantee of the best quality. by David Merino
Unlike white ham, which is supplied in large quantities to the worldwide meat industry due to the white pig's capacity for reproduction and growth, Iberian ham (thanks to the Iberian pig's genetics and lifestyle) is distinguished for its marbled fat content (its characteristic white streaks) which give it a much juicier and more intense flavor. The experts say that the perfect temperature to enjoy it is 23 ºC – the temperature at which its fat is at its melting point and so literally melts in your mouth. Most scientists agree that the Iberian pig is the result of a cross between the Mediterranean wild boar and its European counterpart, and of centuries of adaptation to the dehesa pastures in the southwest region of the Iberian peninsula. It is a small-headed animal with a pointed snout, short neck and long and muscular legs that enable it to travel large distances in search of acorns. In optimal conditions, the specimens that
populate the dehesas of Salamanca, Extremadura and western Andalusia feed on up to twelve kilos of acorns, grass and aromatic herbs a day. The advantage of adapting to other markets Although Spaniards retain the honor of being the biggest consumers of Iberian ham in the world (Catalonia, the Basque Country and Madrid top the list, followed by Andalusia and Extremadura), there are an increasing number of countries interested in this emblem of Spanish gastronomy. Currently, most exports are to other parts of the European Union. In 2007, both in France (its top foreign destination) and in Japan (its biggest Asian market), Iberian ham outsold one of its biggest competitors: Italian Parma ham. In the middle of 2005, a Salamancabased company, Embutidos Fermín, successfully adapted its facilities to U.S. health standards, which are very dis-
tinct from European standards. Two years later, once the production process was completed, the first deliveries of Iberian ham arrived in the United States through the Jaleo restaurant chain,
industrial production Year
Number of pieces
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
4,692,607 4,935,000 5,087,000 5,365,000 5,526,000
Pieces include ham and shoulder.
main companies Company
Sales
Sánchez Romero (Huelva) 80 Jabugo Consortium (Huelva) 27.73 Resti Sánchez (Badajoz) 26.30 Cárnicas Joselito (Salamanca) 20.50 Mont. Extremadura (Badajoz) 17.59 Sales in millions of euros
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owned by Asturian chef José Andrés. Today the ham is available in twelve U.S. states, and sever- a l Spanish companies are preparing to follow suit. Also in 2007, the signing of a protocol between the Spanish and Chinese governments has opened the doors of the most populous country in the world to Iberian ham companies. Thanks to this agreement - effective immediately - Spain has become the second country after Italy to be authorized to sell cured meat products to the Asian giant. Iberian ham is also the only Spanish ham that can be marketed in China, as the regulations specify that the ham must have a curing process of more than 300 days. More than 90 Spanish companies in the industry have expressed interest in introducing their products into the Chinese market. The adaptation of Spanish producers to the health standards of other countries is yielding results. Since September, Australia's finest restaurants have been serving Iberian ham, in this case, the boneless variety. Since the summer it has also been available in stores in Singapore. At the same time, it has multiplied its presence in Spain's traditional export markets for Iberian ham, such as France, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom
production stages The abundance of nuances found in the flavor of Iberian ham is largely due to its elaborate curing process, which can take as long as three years. 1 Salting: the hams are placed between layers of sea salt at 3ºC and 90 percent humidity. They are kept this way in total darkness for a week. 2 Rinsing: the hams are rinsed in warm water to eliminate salt residue. They are molded and shaped. 3 Settling: the hams are transferred to storage rooms where the salt is distributed uniformly and the meat is consolidated. They remain here
for up to two months, exposed to low temperatures and a high level of humidity. 4 Drying: takes from six to nine months at room temperature, with the help of the air currents. 5 Storage: the aging of the hams in storage can take up to two years. The temperature ranges from 15 to 20ºC and the relative humidity from 60 to 80 percent.
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the "dehesa," a unique ecosystem The environment in which Iberian pigs are bred is unique to the peninsula. So unique, in fact, that the word that defines it, "dehesa," only exists in the Spanish and Portuguese languages. It is a type of Mediterranean forest ecosystem protected by the European Union. It is made up of groves of oaks, holm oaks, cork oaks, and other trees rich in acorns, the food that gives Iberian ham its unmistakable gastronomic qualities.
in Europe, Mexico, Chile, Brazil and Argentina in Latin America, and Japan, Korea and the Philippines in Asia. Before and after These international incursions are highly significant, as they represent a turning point in the opening up of new markets. This is only the beginning of what in a few years will quite probably be a major quantitative leap in export volumes of Iberian ham. This historic moment also coincides with the growing interest around the world in consuming healthy and ecologically produced foods. Added to this is the rise in the number of consumers with high purchasing power in Asian countries, interested in different, high-quality products. One kilo of ecologically produced Iberian ham sells for as much as 500 euros in some markets, such as Japan. Considered a luxury item - which in a large number of countries can only be purchased in gourmet stores and delicatessens - it is one of the preferred ingredients of the great chefs of international cuisine. The goal of the producers is to make potential foreign consumers aware of the virtues of Iberian ham, both in terms of its flavor and its health benefits. To this end, they benefit from the support of the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX) which, in addition
to advising entrepreneurs on nation, producer and health the best way to introduce their The perfect control labels. products into other markets, temperature to The first to be created organizes food tastings, meet- enjoy it is 23ºC was ‘Jamón de Guijuelo’ in ings, information campaigns when its fat is 1984. The curing processes and fairs. The most recent of at its melting are carried out in the Salathese was held in Malaysia in point, so that it manca region of Guijuelo November under the title “Fi- literally melts in at over three thousand feet your mouth esta del Jamón 2008”. above sea level, in the footAccording to data from the hills of the Sierra de Gredos Economic Office of the Spanish In 2007, China y Béjar. Embassy in Mexico, increasing opened its Subsequently, in 1990, the level of information about doors to Iberian ‘Jamón Dehesa de ExtremaIberian ham can result in a ham exports, dura’ was established, cover300 percent increase in sales. and the first ing the dehesa pastures lined Some Iberian ham producers deliveries of the with holm and cork oaks in have launched bold campaigns product the Cáceres y Badajoz reto make their product known arrived in the gion. In Extremadura there in countries with cultures very United States are nearly a million hectares different from that of Spain. of dehesa, constituting a For example, the Jabugo Consortium third of the total in Spain. managed to have Iberian ham included Andalusia launched its Designation in a popular Manga comic strip in order of Origin with the creation of ‘Jamón de to present it to the Japanese public. Huelva’ in 1995, located in the municipality of Jabugo in the province of HuelDesignations of origin In Spain there va. Iberian pigs come from the dehesas are 4 Protected Designations of Origin of Extremadura and Andalusia. The recognized by the Ministry for the En- production and curing zone is Sierra de vironment and Rural and Marine Af- Huelva. fairs. Each one has a Regulatory Council ‘Los Pedroches’, in 2006, was the responsible for control and monitoring last one created, and has experienced a systems. Hams with Designation of Ori- significant rate of growth. It is made up gin endorsement bear an official num- of 32 towns in Los Pedroches Valley in bered seal with the year and the desig- Córdoba.
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The challenges of spanish ham exporting Paloma Escorihuela
food department head, spanish institute for foreign trade
In Spain, ham is one of the products that have traditionally been associated with the national culture and gastronomy and, beyond our borders, it is pleasing to note that countries such as China, the United States, Japan and Australia - in addition to many European countries - are also coming to appreciate the Spanish taste for ham. To make this possible, the companies of the industry must deal with a number of challenges. Any company that wishes to go international must prepare itself and appreciate the importance of perseverance. Also, it must have a uniformly good-quality product, and be able to provide information about the company itself and the products it sells. At the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX) we offer specific assistance programs for the ham industry, which we deliver using various methods to help companies market their products successfully. To this end, we develop what are known as Business Plans, which basically consist of Brand Plans, Implementation Plans and Consortiums. Many companies in the industry also participate with us in our international food fairs. And, for those companies that have not yet taken the first step, we offer a range of tools to help them get started in exporting,
such as the “Learning How to Export” and “Passport to Foreign Trade” programs, and the “Plan for Initiating Foreign Promotion” (known as PIPE, its Spanish acronym), all of which are explained in detail on our website. At ICEX, we believe that preparation and business management training are essential to success. This is why, as part of our industry promotion plans and within the scope of the Gastronomy Plan, we sponsor seminars about ham products in growing markets such as the United States, China, Russia and Mexico, and we collaborate on numerous public relations and communications initiatives. Also, through Spain's economic and trade offices abroad, we provide importer search, advisory and information programs, and we work together with the Ministry for the Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs to coordinate visits from the inspectors who certify compliance with the sanitary conditions required in different markets and the authorization of systems and production plants. These requirements differ depending on the market that we are targeting. However, they all have one initial requirement in common, which is that the country of origin (Spain in this case) must certify the good sanitary condi-
Any company that wishes to go international must prepare itself and appreciate the importance of perseverance Through Spain's economic and trade offices abroad, importer search programs are available
tions of its pig-farming industry. These are animal health requirements that apply to the country, which are essential to open up and consolidate any market. After this, each market applies its own hygiene-sanitary requirements on the production plants that wish to export the product; these requirements apply to the company and are coordinated with the Ministry for Health and Consumption. The requirements related to animal health, which as I mentioned apply to the country as a whole, are very similar in every market. However, the public health requirements differ from one country to another, as each market interprets differently the management of sanitary conditions required for each plant seeking to export its products. The challenges faced by companies in the ham sector relate to the introduction of a new product in markets that are so distinct and have gastronomical concepts so different from those of Spain. However, while we await the development opportunities that China may offer, the other markets mentioned above are having a very good response to this product. To sum up, the barriers to entry are basically technical in nature (animal health and hygiene-sanitary requirements) and not specifically trade-related.
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Grifols, an international name in health The Spanish pharmaceutical/hospital group, which as of this year is listed on IBEX-35, is the largest European company and the fourth largest global producer in the hemoderivative sector. It has a presence in 90 countries through 17 subsidiaries, and its 82 plasmapheresis centers in the United States provide it with more than two and a half million liters of plasma per year. by Beatriz Beeckmans
Saving a life can often depend on a blood donation. This vital element and its derivatives also constitute an essential product with a growing demand around the world, particularly in emerging countries. The upward trajectory of the Grifols group began more than five decades ago. It was in 1951 that JosĂŠ Antonio Grifols i Roig, in his laboratory in Barcelona,
developed a complex method that has since been classified as one of Spain's greatest contributions to medicine. This contribution is plasmapheresis, a concept largely unknown to the general public, but which nevertheless helps to save many lives each day. This technique, an internationally recognized method for plasma collection, basically consists of the extraction
of blood from the donor, its immediate centrifugation and the reinjection of the red blood cells into the same donor. In this way, it is possible to donate blood more often without causing harm to your health. The proteins used to produce hemoderivatives are separated and purified from the extracted plasma. Thanks to this system, currently in use throughout the world, the family
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the facts 82 plasmapheresis centers in the United States producing more than 2 million liters of plasma per year 2 plasma fractionation plants, located in Barcelona and Los Angeles 17 fully owned subsidiaries Distribution agreements in 90 countries Staff of more than 5,000 professionals 400 million euros will be invested in the next few years to ensure the expansion of the company: 190 in Spain and 210 in the United States Its global market represented more than 8 billion dollars in 2006, placing it in fourth place with 7% of market share
What are hemoderivatives? Hemoderivatives are purified plasma proteins with therapeutic properties, obtained by means of fractionation of human plasma. In recent years, hemoderivatives have become essential medicines, capable of saving lives and improving the condition and life expectancy of patients with chronic illnesses for whom there is no alternative treatment.
company Grifols has today becused on Europe, the United come one of the most important The invention of States and Latin America. pharmaceutical/hospital groups plasmaphereIn 2006, Grifols opened its in the industry, both within and sis in 1951 by first office in Japan and has beyond Spain's borders. It has Dr. Grifols is recently entered the Austrabeen listed on the Spanish stock considered to be lian market. An ambitious market since May 2006, and is one of Spain's investment plan covering the now included in Spain's stock most significant next few years will ensure contributions to the company's continued inmarket index, IBEX-35. In 2007, Grifols had more medicine ternational presence. Among than 700 million euros in sales, its priorities is investment in with a net profit of more than The increase R&D and improvements to 12% of the total. Three quar- in demand for safety in the production proters of its business was gener- plasma derivacess, as reflected in the comated in international markets, tives in emergpany motto: “What matters mainly in Europe and the ing countries most: people.� United States. The hemod- such as China Commitment to excelerivative sector is a non-cycli- will be the drivlence, quality, and the search cal industry with constantly ing force behind for innovative solutions that rising demand, particularly the market for will contribute to improvdue to the entry of emerging hemoderivaing human health are the countries that are becoming tives in the next identifying features of the major participants in the sec- few years company, which have transtor as a direct consequence of lated into global recognition improvements to their healthof its processes and product care systems. licenses from the European regulatory Grifols, as Spain's only producer of body (EMEA) and the Food & Drug Adhemoderivatives, must, first and fore- ministration (FDA) in the United States. most, meet national demand. The comFramed within this philosophy is pany's internationalization initially fo- one of its main projects for 2009: the
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Central headquarters of the multinational in the town of Parets del Vallés near Barcelona. pHOTO: grifols
a business structure based on research 1BIOSCIENCE DIVISION: Focuses on activities related to plasma derivative products (hemoderivatives) for therapeutic use, including plasma collection, analysis and quarantine, classification, fractionation, purification, distribution and sale of final products. 2HOSPITAL DIVISION: Focuses on the production of non-biological products and medical supplies for hospital use, such as serum and clinical nutrition, as well as medical materials and hospital logistic systems. In this area, Grifols is positioned as the largest supplier of hospital logistics systems in Spain. 3DIAGNOSTIC DIVISION: Specializing in the development of equipment, instrumentation and reagents for hematological and immunological testing, such as donor-recipient compatibility tests prior to a transfusion. Its main clients are blood donation centers, clinical analysis laboratories and hospital immunohematology services.
creation of the so-called “Grifols Plasmapheresis Academy,” the aim of which will be to guarantee the safety of hemoderivatives from the moment of collection of the raw material (the plasma) at their centers in the United States right up to the marketing of the final product. The protocol that is followed at present, in rigorous compliance with existing legislation, is complex: the plasma collected at the U.S. centers arrives on freezer ships, in which it is stored at a temperature of -16 degrees Celsius. It is then distributed to the Grifols plants in Los Angeles and Parets del Vallés, near Barcelona, where it is analyzed again using highly sophisticated techniques. The plasma is then kept frozen for approximately 40 days. Once it is in a state suitable for fractionation, it is transferred to the fractionation reactors. After various thawing processes, and through contact with alcohols and thermal changes, several different proteins are obtained which are separated at that moment to be used for different purposes. Finally, the products are packaged applying criteria of maximum purification in a sterilized environment, thereby guaranteeing that the final product will be easily traceable. This step is critically important, as in a hypothetical case of infection, the company would be able to remove the harmful products from the
market with the utmost speed. The group's concern for people starts with their own workers. Grifols currently has a staff of more than five thousand employees, whose training is a top priority for the company. At present, the training program of the recently created Grifols Academy has been designed as a strictly internal qualification; however, in the long term, the company seeks to have it recognized and endorsed by U.S. educational centers. With this initiative, Grifols' goal is to transfer the company's ethical principles to its workers, along with the “know-how” that enjoys a well-deserved worldwide reputation based on the quality, effectiveness and safety of its products and services. All this has been achieved while operating at 62% of its production capacity, a fact which augurs a huge potential for growth over the next few years, with one goal always in sight: improving the health of the public. The vertical integration business model enables Grifols to control all of the production stages: from the collection of plasma as its raw material right up to the marketing of the hemoderivatives produced from it.
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Spanish innovation at the service of human health Andreu Puga
grifols communications manager
Sparing no expense in placing science at the service of the people, innovation in more efficient production processes that will enhance the safety of our products, and investment in excellence across national borders are a few of the parameters that define the future of our company. Actually, it is our past that has made us one of the most important pharmaceutical/hospital companies in Spain today, with an indisputable international focus made evident by our presence in more than 90 countries, Australia being the most recent market that we have entered. Our history is closely associated with innovation. As early as 1933, the Central Clinical Analysis Institute was operating under the direction of Dr. JosĂŠ Antonio Grifols i Roig, a pioneer in our country in blood transfusions and clinical analysis. Ten years later, in 1943, Grifols was the first laboratory in Spain to produce freeze-dried plasma as a result of studies and research conducted by Dr. Grifols himself and by his sons, JosĂŠ Antonio and VĂctor Grifols Lucas. The need for a greater volume of human plasma for therapeutic use led J. A. Grifols Lucas to research the technique of plasmapheresis. Since that time, the principles of the company have remained the
same, although the business has evolved so that today we have become the largest producer of hemoderivatives in Europe, and the fourth largest in the world. Our efforts are mainly focused on the separation and purification of proteins that exist in human plasma for their use in hospitals and for therapeutic purposes. This is a largely unknown sector, whose only objective is to improve the quality of life or to save lives. But our industry is highly focused and our competitors have always been major multinationals that we have had to confront with our two best weapons: a job well done as an inherited principle and a proven reputation established over many years. With a desire to expand our activities, we took the United States as our point of reference: a major market with rigorous controls and entry mechanisms that we sought to enter. From this perspective, it was our design to show the world that Spain also had companies capable of becoming a "world reference." And recognition came in the mid-90s. In 1995, the FDA in the United States granted us our first establishment license for our plant in Barcelona, while also granting us a product license to market albumin, one of our hemoderivatives, in their country. Since that time, we have been
Our international focus is made evident by our presence in more than 60 countries Today we are the largest hemoderivative producer in Europe and the fourth largest in the world
constantly increasing our presence on the U.S. market. The purchase in 2003 of a plasma fractionation plant in Los Angeles, and subsequent purchases of centers for the collection of plasma (our raw material) in the United States has enabled us to consolidate our industrial structure, and to implement our business model. The entrepreneurial spirit and the principles of our company remain intact. In May of 2006, we were listed on the Spanish stock exchange, enabling us to continue working on an equal footing with the other companies in our industry, while also giving us the satisfaction of seeing that numerous shareholders viewed our future positively. It is a clear and stable future that includes internationalization as a growth strategy. In 2008, we have boosted our level of penetration in markets where we already had a presence, such as Latin America and Asia, and we have gained a footing in new markets like Australia. Making all this possible is the confidence of medical and health professionals, patients, the professionals who make Grifols possible, the investors who support us, and institutions such as the FDA and the EMEA, whose authorizations and licenses validate a job well done.
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation contributes to the initiative. In addition to the permanent collection, the visitor can view thematic exhibitions on the major Islamic dynasties of the Mediterranean at the website www.discoverislamicart.org
The Alhambra in Granada, one of the greatest Arabic legacies in Spain.
The ‘Discover Islamic Art' Virtual Museum is now a reality With the aim of developing new forms toman Empire. The website thus presof expression that allow the presenta- ents the Islamic heritage of both shores tion of great cultural works without of the Mediterranean and the collectransporting the works themselves, tions of Islamic art of the participating Casa Árabe has introduced the Spanish countries in a virtual environment that version of the “Discover Islamic Art” allows visitors to interrelate works from Virtual Museum, a new multimedia different museums and place them in tool that enables users to visit 17 muse- the context of the monuments and exums in 11 countries. For the first time, cavations from which they came. real and virtual pieces share a space in At the same time, the virtual exhiwhich museums in Europe, North Afri- bitions are divided into three groups: ca and the Near East become gateways a space dedicated to the great Islamic into the world of the Islamic art dynasties (Umayyads, Abof the Mediterranean. basids, Fatimids, dynasties of The permanent collection, The Virthe Muslim West, Ayyubids, comprising 1,235 works, in- tual Museum is Mamluks and Ottomans), cludes objects such as manu- fully available exhibitions covering several scripts of the Qur'an, ceramic in Spanish as interrelated themes such as works, metal pieces, tapestries of December figurative art, calligraphy, and paintings, jewels and coins, 2008, as well women, geometric decoraas well as architectural works as in Arabic and tions, water, pilgrimage and and archeological remains from seven other plant decoration and, thirdly, the beginning of the Umayyad languages exhibitions dealing with the dynasty up to the end of the Otconnections between Euro-
pean history and the Islamic Mediterranean: the Crusades, Mudejar art, SiculoNorman art and the Western influence in Ottoman lands. This Virtual Museum has been made possible thanks to a cooperation agreement between the Museum Without Boundaries (MWNF) and the various museums participating in the initiative, including the Archeological Museum of Madrid. 80% of the project is funded by the European Union as part of the Euromed Heritage program. The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation co-financed the remaining 20%. Casa Árabe also displays contemporary Moroccan art. Through January 11, Casa Árabe is also presenting an exhibition of work by the group Collectif 212, made up of five Moroccan artists, one FrancoGabonese artist and an Iraqi artist. The display presents various works ranging from oils and photographs to installations and video art. The exhibition, organized in collaboration with Fundación ArtSur, aims to promote a side of Moroccan artistic production that forms a part of the most avant-garde movements in contemporary art.
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30% of Spaniards of Maghreb or Middle Eastern descent Scientists at the University of Leicester (U.K.) and Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona have discovered that one in every three Spaniards on the Spanish mainland and the Balearic Islands have Moorish or Jewish roots, after analyzing and comparing “y” chromosomes. 10% of today's Spanish population have genetic characteristics belonging to inhabitants of the Maghreb, and 20% to inhabitants from the Middle East.
Spanish scientists invent the bird-friendly windmill A team from Spain's Scientific Research Council (CSIC) has designed a device capable of detecting the presence and flight paths of birds in order to stop windmill blades when they pass, thereby preventing their death. The invention could mean the end of bird fatalities at wind farms all over the world.
Neurological Society publishes the myths about the brain In November, specialists in the History Group of the Spanish Neurological Society launched a book entitled ‘De Cerebri Morbis,’ which brings together the different interpretations of the human brain down through history. The publication includes theories such as Aristotle's notion that it was a sponge that cooled the blood; the Egyptians, on the other hand, believed it served no purpose at all.
Information technology
99% of Spaniards have access to broadband internet In November, the Secretary of State for Telecommunications and the Information Society, Francisco Ros, announced that by the end of 2008, 99% of Spanish citizens would be able to connect to a broadband network. “In coverage, Spain is probably one of the few countries in the world leading the way in availability of broadband infrastructures for the service of the public."
Largest Cervantes Institute opens in Tokyo In November, their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain were in Tokyo to inaugurate the largest Cervantes Institute in the world, which, with more than two thousand students, will serve as a platform for the promotion of the Spanish language and culture. The center has an area of 4,300 square meters and includes 18 classrooms, a multimedia room, two exhibition halls, a bookstore, auditorium and a library that will hold 40,000 books.
Spanish Railways collaborate with 12 international NGOs In December, Spain's National Railway Network (RENFE) implemented the ‘Tren de los valores’ ("Train of Values") initiative to raise funds for health, education, food and support projects in different parts of the world. The NGOs involved are Acción Contra El Hambre, UNHCR, AMREF-Flying Doctors, Ayuda En Acción, Spanish Red Cross, Entreculturas, Intermón Oxfam, Manos Unidas, Médicos del Mundo, Solidaridad Internacional, UNICEF and WWF-Adena.
Spain to investigate ten marine areas of high biodiversity Beginning in January, the Biodiversity Foundation will analyze 10 biologically diverse marine areas in Spanish waters, with the aim of gathering sufficient information for them to be designated as Sites of Community Importance (SCIs) or Special Protection Areas for Birds (SPABs) by the Natura 2000 network. The project, to begin in January, will be financed by the LIFE program, sponsored in equal parts by Spain and the European Commission.
Oscar de la Renta chooses Spain as European headquarters Since October, the Madrid street of Serrano has been home to the European headquarters of prestigious designer Oscar de la Renta. The New York artist of Dominican origin explained that “given my Latin heritage, I feel a special connection with Spain." “I am delighted to be opening a store and offering my designs here,” he added. His association with Spain is far from new, as he was a student of Fine Arts at Madrid's San Fernando Academy, and a disciple of Spanish designer Balenciaga.
Scale model of the Torre de la Música project.
In operation in 2011
Presenting the International Music Center of Valencia In October, the Torre de la Música (Music Tower) was presented in Valencia, which, with 27 levels, will open its doors in 2011. This 100-million euro investment is being funded by the SGAE (General Society of Spanish Authors) and the Berklee College of Music in Boston, which, with 4,000 students, is the largest independent music school in the world. Valencia will thus become the European headquarters for this prestigious U.S. center of musical studies.
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An award for Unión Fenosa in New York Unión Fenosa have been recognized for their communications strategy at the Global Energy Awards in New York, presented by the Platts agency. The award was accepted by the Director of Communications, José Manuel Velasco, at a ceremony held in New York's Cipriani Wall Street in the presence of representatives of the energy industry from all over the world.
New cycle of conferences at the Cervantes in Madrid The schedule for the new cycle of conferences for 2009 at the Cervantes Institute in Madrid, which will address various themes related to the Spanish language and culture, is now available. The current rules of Spanish, language and globalization, and the genetic bases of language are some of the topics for discussion in the sessions.
Luces de Janucá, for Casa Sefarad-Israel
Casa África commemorates World Aids Day
Through an initiative by Casa Sefarad, the streets of Madrid have, for the first time, become the setting for one of the most endearing festivals on the Jewish calendar: Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. This joyful festival commemorates the consecration of the Temple of Jerusalem by Judas Maccabeus nearly 2,200 years ago. The celebration took place in the Plaza de Olavide.
In commemoration of World Aids Day, Casa África and the University of Las Palmas present “El Camino de Muzu”, an awareness-raising campaign with personal testimonies from HIV carriers, aimed especially at youth. This initiative seeks to raise public awareness about the importance of understanding how to prevent this virus.
Spanish culture in the world SEACEX is sponsoring 17 exhibitions around the world displaying the best of Spanish art in sculpture, painting, architecture, design, photography, science and electronic arts
‘Spain: Crossroads of Civilizations’ exhibition in Colombia The State Corporation for Cultural Action Abroad (SEACEX) is currently sponsoring 17 exhibitions around the world displaying the best of Spain's historic heritage as well as the top contemporary Spanish artists. France, Egypt, El Salvador, Portugal, Brazil, Venezuela and Switzerland are some of the countries where exhibitions sponsored by SEACEX are currently taking place. Recently opened in Colombia is the exhibition “Spain: Crossroads of Civilizations”, which, until February 15, will offer visitors to the Museum of Medellín a selection of pieces from the National Archeological Museum of Spain that symbolize the legacy of the peoples and cultures who have inhabited the Iberian Peninsula over the centuries. Its main objective is to offer a global vision of Spain's history, in which in-
terracial mixing and cultural exchange are presented as forces for change and peaceful coexistence. The Minister of Culture, César Antonio Molina, accompanied by his Colombian counterpart, Paula Marcela Moreno, highlighted at the opening that “the Iberian Peninsula has always been a crossroads, a place of exchange of knowledge and customs." “Today, in the age of the global village, this crucible of cultures remains, with new relations and spaces for coexistence, which we observe from the new perspective of the 21st century.” The curator of the exhibition, Félix Jiménez, explained that “the basic objective of the exhibition is to show the visitor, through 190 pieces of the finest quality, the enormous cultural diversity of Spain's past and the material and ideological transformations that have
‘Pareja de Oferentes’, a work carved in limestone, included in the display. pHOTO: seacex
made the peninsula a mosaic of peoples and an exceptional laboratory for cultural mixing.” The pieces were selected based on their technical and aesthetic qualities, but always bearing in mind the historical, social and ideological information that they provide individually and collectively. Jiménez said that these components show how the economy, technology, art, society, war and ideology in Spain have changed over time.
c culture and society 57 Pacific Islands Pavilion wins at Expo ´08 At the Expo Zaragoza 08, the Pacific Islands Pavilion took First Prize and the Collective Pavilions Gold Medal for Design and Function. Financed by the AECID and managed jointly by Casa Asia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation's Asia and Pacific Office, the pavilion was visited by more than 9,000 people each day.
'Modern India'
exhibition in Valencia Until February 15, the IVAM in Valencia will be presenting an exhibition addressing questions of culture, history, art and social reality in India. The display, organized in collaboration with Casa Asia, takes visitors from the colonial past up to the present day through texts, documentary objects, archive material and artistic displays.
by Casa de América for December 8 to 18 have sought to recreate the days of the victory of the Cuban Revolution through the evocation, in artistic and intellectual terms, of the historic moment whose 50th anniversary will be commemorated on January 1, 2009. The cycle includes an exhibition, a film screening, a concert and several round tables.
Cuba Cycle: Eve of the Revolution
`Spanish Cinema: A Visual Chronicle` in Madrid
The activities organized
From now until January 11,
an exhibition that takes a look back on the most emblematic moments of Spanish film will be on display at the Cervantes Institute in Madrid. Organized into three chronological sections, the exhibition features a collection of one hundred and twenty photographs, fifty posters and more than thirty minutes of movie scenes.
The rise of renewable energies. The report “Environmental Profile of Spain 2007” presents the main environmental challenges faced by the country and includes 19 individual data sheets analyzing the characteristics of each of Spain's Autonomous Communities in environmental terms.
Spain moves forward on the environment Facilitating public access to environmental information is one of the pillars of the Aarhus Convention, ratified by Spain in 2005. This objective is addressed in the report presented by the Ministry for the Environment, Rural and Maritime Affairs (MARM), which offers an examination of the current changes to the environmental situation in Spain and an assessment of the results of some of the policies developed in recent years. Among its main conclusions, the report highlights the decrease in greenhouse gases and the significant improvement in energy intensity. The study also records a promising increase in the use of renewable energies, which rose by more than 6.6%. It also notes a stabilization in the growth of potable water consumption for domestic use and a 7.3% decrease in water used in agriculture as a result of improvements to irrigation techniques. On the other hand, the report also indicates that the seasonal nature of tourism in Spain - which received
more than 58 million tourists in 2006 - results in a concentration of environmental pressures over short periods of time, aggravating the situation in specific regions. In this context, it is worth noting that rural tourism is an economical alternative in zones traditionally used for farming, livestock grazing and fishing activities. In urban centers, transport is the sector with the highest energy consumption (39% of the total), having overtaken the industrial sector since 2000. According to this annual study, which analyzes up to 76 environmental indicators, Andalusia, Aragon and Extremadura are the communities that dedicate the largest surface area to ecological agriculture, which has grown by 14% since 2005. The report is based on indicators, which constitute a useful tool for presenting the best information available, aiding in the description of complex phenomena and synthesizing large quantities of data that would otherwise be difficult to convey to the public.
the facts Birds (52%), fish (19%) and certain types of flora (17%) are the most endangered species. Spain is the EU nation with the 2nd largest number of companies applying environmental management systems (EMAS). According to data from the European Environmental Agency, Spain was the 7th biggest waste producing nation in the EU in 2005. The land area dedicated to ecological agriculture increased by 14%
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Until February 22. On the bicentennial of his death, the Secretary of State to King Carlos IV is paid homage.
Floridablanca, the great reformer of the 19th century Since September, various sites in Murcia and Madrid have been home to the exhibition “Floridablanca (1728-1808): The Reforming Utopia”, on display until the end of February 2009, organized in commemoration of the bicentenary of the death of a man who played a key role in Spain's history and in the modern era of the Western world. With drawings, documents, paintings, porcelain works, books, jewels and sculptures, this display recalls the Count of Floridablanca's birth, his family background and initial studies in Murcia and Orihuela; his years as a Court lawyer; the beginning of his political activ-
ity; his appointment as Ambassador to Rome and later his receipt of the title of Count of Floridablanca; his years as Prime Minister; the major political, administrative, economic and educational reforms that he implemented; his policies for the arts and sciences and his role as patron of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando. The exhibition also tells of Floridablanca's fall and his retirement in Murcia, his years in prison in the citadel of Pamplona, the royal pardon, his return to politics in Murcia's Central Junta and the Supreme Central Junta and his death in Seville in 1808.
Rembrandt in ‘El Prado’ Until January 6, the El Prado Museum is offering an exhibition including works from every period of one of the most influential painters in the history of European art: Rembrandt. The display attempts to provide an overview of the production of the Dutch painter, and together with his works are included various paintings by other artists, all belonging to the Museum's collection.
Spain to double its investment in tourist promotion The Government will assign 769 million euros to the promotion of tourism in Spain in 2009. Some of the objectives of the plan are to attract more tourists during low season and to diversify the markets of origin, which for the most part are European. Tourism in Spain represents 11% of the GDP and employs two million people.
New encyclopedia of birds of Spain online The Spanish Ornithological Society has prepared a complete encyclopedia with information about more than half a thousand birds that inhabit Spanish territory. This new online resource brings together 1,600 photographs, drawings and sound files, and offers information on the most significant aspects of the lives of the birds.
Spain to promote films made by women
Ceremonies commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Constitution. On December 6, various ceremonies were held to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Spanish Constitution. One of the most important of these was held in the Congress of Deputies in the presence of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain and several of the "fathers of the Constitution", including those appearing in the photo. From left to right, Miquel Roca, José Pedro Pérez-Llorca, Miguel Herrero y Rodríguez de Miñón and Manuel Fraga. pHOTO: efe
The Government will reinforce the measures established by the Cinema Act, including the granting of assistance to production companies that encourage the inclusion of women, with the creation of a specific section at the National Center of Audiovisual Arts and an award to recognize the professional achievements of women in this field. The plan was announced by the Government's Vice President, María Teresa Fernández de la Vega, at the First International Meeting of Women of the Audiovisual Industry.
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After forty years of globetrotting, the most important thing for him now is not the sound and the fury of the outside world, beaten by the whip of war, hunger and poverty, but the sounds of the earth and of the past, in which, they say, we find our true homeland. by Jacobo GarcĂa. JOURNALIST
Indebted to... Manu Leguineche
Foreign territory He has traveled around the world without stopping a couple of times, and several more if we count all the trips he's made to the hottest spots on the planet. For forty long years, his profession as a war reporter placed him in the line of the bullets and explosions that provide the background noise to all armed conflicts. Always on the bloodied trail left across the world by the great warmongers who, curiously, are always the same characters. Always on the lookout for the irrefutable evidence that the great artists of organized crime never forget to leave in their wake, but that is always so hard to capture so as to show it to the world. Always moved by the fate of the losers, who also tend to be the same people every time. And always feeling an identification with the words of the poet Mayakovsky: “I am there wherever there is pain.� All of this - let's not fool ourselves - to be able to serve up to his readers the most heartrending news from the very scene of the battle,
which in many cases is not so much a battle as a simple massacre. Hot news to be served on a tray with breakfast. If we were to follow the trail of both we would find that, behind the smooth surface of the morning paper, the shiny surface of the grapefruit and the dark liquid mass of the coffee, there always lurks a story of violence and oppression. The reporter's job is to be there where that story happens, so that we, eating our breakfast and reading the daily news, can savor its hot flavor before going off to work. Manuel Leguineche did his job for much longer than the norm for most war correspondents, who tend to give it up as soon as they find an excuse to do so (an observation made without the slightest hint of reproach). This suggests that in his case it was something more than a job - something that perhaps could be confused with a calling. But a calling... to what? To be a witness to the ugliest side of humanity? To be the accuser of the mighty
of this world before the court of history? To be the most daring and tenacious of all the members of what he himself has defined as "the tribe" of war reporters? Perhaps all of these things at once, and even for the pleasure and the pride of doing well, right up to the very end, in the job that you committed yourself to in a moment of passion. A profession like his has certain obvious advantages, compared to the journalist tied to a desk. First of all, the boss is always far away, never breathing down your neck. Secondly, there's a lot of down time, which you can use to get some good, rewarding reading done. Thirdly, you could never, even if you wanted to, tie yourself down with anybody in any kind of lasting way, which means that, like it or not, you're always free to do whatever you please. The disadvantages, as the war correspondents themselves will tell you, are the bullets, the anti-personnel mines, the diseases endemic
to the Third World, which are many and varied... and the bills for your expenses, which you need not only to collect and keep, but also to justify to the manager of the newsroom you work for. After so many years on the move, Manuel Leguineche has decided to sit down in the shade of a tree in Alcarra to watch the clouds, which bring him news from the farthest corners of the globe, and to listen to the song of the cuckoo, who brings him news of his childhood in a green valley in the Basque country. In his lowest moments, he gets to thinking that all the hard work he's done amounts to nothing more than a lot of "smoke and sensationalism". But then suddenly, the wind, which knows no borders, brings to his ears a murmur of fallen leaves, and then he realizes that the same thing happens everywhere, whether with a bang or a whimper. Living beings are born, they grow, they fight, and they fall. And the wind sweeps the leaves away.
60 c publications
✱... can't-miss reading ‘The long road to freedom’. Jesús López-Medel. Editorial Marcial Pons. The disintegration of the USSR in 1991 gave birth to fifteen new independent nations, which then set out on an arduous journey in pursuit of their own identity. The long road to democracy was not a smooth one, with each specific region and country facing its own challenges, including major setbacks and wrong turns along the way. This book offers a rigorous and in-context analysis of the historical, political, economic, and geo-strategic process experienced by each of the new ex-Soviet states. In his preface, Josep María Durán i Lleida states that “López-Medel's research is beyond intense: not only has he visited these republics, but he has come to understand them in depth, delve into their history, and scrutinize every step of their recent political development. This book is just one of several results that have come out of this extraordinary effort. With maximum rigor and exhaustive coverage, but also with clarity and a keen pedagogical sense, the author has managed to fill one of the most glaring gaps in the current geopolitical literature.”
● Whatever became of the good Samaritan? Rich nations, poor nations. Ha-Joon Chang. Libros de Encuentro Collection. Intermón Oxfam In theory, rich countries and institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank want all nations to become modern industrial societies. In practice, however, those who are already on top "kick away the ladder" to wealth that they themselves climbed up, according to Korean economist Ha-Joon Chang. Why? It would seem that rich and powerful governments and institutions are “bad Samaritans”: they tell poor countries to follow the most orthodox free-market path, basing their counsel on a peculiar
re-reading of their own histories, when they themselves achieved their development in an environment of mixed economies and protectionist policies. According to the author, this maneuver is intended to leave developing countries out of the game, while at the same time keeping them enthralled with the kindness of their benefactors. ● Social movements and international relations. Enara Echart Muñoz. Los Libros de la Catarata. In an international system that is monopolized by state actors and is subject to their interests, a major source of innovation is the sudden emergence of new social movements. For this very reason, the most traditional works in the field of International Relations ignore and marginalize such movements. These social movements, however, are present on the international scene, and though few people consider them an intrinsic part of that scene and treat them as such, they pose many questions, not the least
of which is the matter of just how much influence they do have. Enara Echart, the author of this book, deals with these questions and reflects upon this provocative phenomenon in the world of international relations.
● Comedians and martyrs. An essay against the myths. Juan José Sebreli. Editorial Debate After dazzling readers and critics alike with his analysis of twentieth century philosophy in "El olvido de la razón" (Forgetting reason) Juan José Sebreli dedicates his new work, ‘Comediantes y mártires. Ensayo contra los mitos’ (Comedians and martyrs. An essay against the myths), to the figure of
the hero in contemporary society. How is a myth constructed? In what ways is it similar to the real life of the figures in question? Taking these two questions as his guide, Sebreli looks back at the life circumstances and the personal characteristics of four universal icons from Argentina: Evita Peron, Carlos Gardel, Che Guevara and Diego Maradona. Tackling the misapplication of the concept of myth in contemporary society, Juan José Sebreli proceeds to demolish these contemporary iconic figures, producing an essay that will cause every reader to reflect and to finally come to agree with Bertolt Brecht's famous statement that opens this book: “Unhappy the land that is in need of heroes.” ● ‘The Year of Spain in China’. Several authors. Cuadernos de la Escuela Diplomática Issue 35 of Cuadernos de la Escuela Diplomática (Notebooks from the School of Diplomacy) brings together a series of reflections by
c publications 61 various authors on the recent Year of Spain in China, which ran through the year 2007 and part of 2008. From the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, to his predecessor Josep Piqué, to Ambassadors Carlos Blasco and Eugenio Bregolat, the authors set forth their vision of relations between the two countries, and express their particular opinions about the results of a year that helped to promote relations with a nation that occupies a high priority in Spain's foreign policy.
● Good practices in development cooperation. Several authors. Los Libros de la Catarata The subtitle of this book, Accountability and transparency, is a key to understanding its content. Accountability is an increasingly important element of development cooperation, and this work analyzes several "good practices" adopted by bilateral cooperation agencies in this regard, with the ultimate goal of learning lessons and drawing conclusions for the Spanish Cooperation effort. The authors of ‘Good practices in development cooperation’ are the Peruvian economist Vanina Farber, João
Guimarães from Portugal, and Juan Manuel Toledano and Carlos Illán from Spain.
● ‘Mr. Bush's Game of the Goose.’ Lluís Bassets. Ediciones Península Catalonia journalist Lluís Bassets, deputy editor-in-chief of “El País”, uses this book to trace ‘Mr. Bush's Game of the Goose: how the neocons have destroyed the international order from the White House,’ the chronicle of both a revolution and a failure. The lead figure in both was the same person: George W. Bush, President of the United States, who has been called “the worst president in the history” of that country. The book's title alludes to the game of the goose which, according to legend, was played by the Greeks during the siege of Troy, “a game -Bassets asserts-, that could not end well.” In his opinion, the first victim of Bush's failure is the country itself, a United States whose decline as a superpower has been accelerated by the actions of Bush and his neocons. ● Nature and Art in the New Kingdom of Granada. Antonio González Bueno. Publicaciones AECID On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the
death of the renowned botanist José Celestino Mutis, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) has published ‘José Celestino Mutis (1732-1808). Nature and Art in the New Kingdom of Granada.’ Authored by Antonio González Bueno, a full professor in the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology at the Complutense University of Madrid, and a specialist in the history of botany, the book reviews the life of the priest, physician, astronomer and mathematician who carried out one of the outstanding feats in the history of Spanish science: the Botanical Expedition to the New Kingdom of Granada, begun in April of 1783 and completed in 1816. The book also includes a selection of drawings from the collection. ● ‘The skin of defeat’. José Antonio Villarreal. Editorial Cuarto Propio. Santiago, Chile In his latest book, published in Santiago, Chile, Jose Antonio Villarreal sets down a sentimental autobiography that is also a song, at times a desolate one, to women and to life. Without stepping outside the realm of poetry, and in language that has grown more and more elegant through the years, the author delves into his recurring themes: the passage of time, the inevitability of death, and the desire to live on through one's words. Eroticism, existential reflection and irony combine in an especially ambitious collection of poems where free verse is
accompanied by sonnets in the style of Quevedo.
● Encyclopedia of Spanish in the United States. Instituto Cervantes. Santillana The more than 80 articles of ‘The Encyclopedia of Spanish in the United States’ examine the past, present and future of the Spanish language and Hispanic culture within the borders of the United States. This work is the result of analysis by fifty specialists, including both Spaniards and Latin Americans, from a the widest possible range of backgrounds. This is a pioneering work, never before attempted or accomplished by any other country, institution or company. At the same time, it is yet another step in the research on the status of Spanish in the developed world that has been carried out in recent years by the Cervantes Institute, an undertaking that began with the series of Yearbooks published between 1998 y 2005 and the ‘Encyclopedia of Spanish 2006-2007.’ The Cervantes Institute understands that the future of the Spanish language will depend on taking full advantage of the exceptional status that our language now enjoys in the United States.
50 e nuria espert
e interview 63
After more than 50 years in the trenches, Nuria Espert admits it is the enthusiasm and love for theater that she found at a very young age that has kept her active and polished on the stage. However, she feels her passion for theater was not the result of a conscious decision, and that passions are in the genes, so to speak. Universally considered the queen of Spanish theater and an actress par excellence, she would rather be known simply as a theater girl: a fitting description, as, with regard to theater, there is little, except for writing, that she has not done, and very well. In addition to acting, she has directed several works, including many operas; she has owned her own business; she has done adaptations and translations; and she has even been seen sweeping the stage floor on more than one occasion.
Nuria Espert
“All actors must find their own way to convince the audience that the story they are telling is true and that the character they are portraying actually exists”
T
alking with Espert is a privilege and quite an experience. She is the exact opposite of a diva--always willing to shower her colleagues with compliments and constantly expressing her gratitude for all the support she has received from so many people. She says it is a matter of fortune, and that fortune cannot be sought, but rather one must be ready to grab hold of it with both hands as it passes by. And she hardly stops to take a breath. At the beginning of the year she will begin rehearsing for a new play--by one of her favorite authors, Federico
García Lorca--"La casa de Bernarda Alba" (The House of Bernarda Alba). She is already deeply familiar with the play, having directed it previously. But her role this time will be as an actress--her true and dearest passion. — I imagine you already know that there are hundreds of websites about Nuria Espert. — I'm sure there are. I have never actually looked at them though. It's easy to get a bit overloaded on the Internet. —However, it is sort of a gauge that measures the significance of the person concerned. Another example: I have read that you have received
hundreds of prizes and awards throughout your professional career. — It's true. Right now there are over 200. —Despite the fact that you began your career at a very early age and have been working at it professionally for many years, you still receive an average of four or five awards every year. — It comes and goes. The year we debuted with the company founded by my husband Armando Moreno with the play "Gigi", we received something like 15. That play was a great discovery and
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“It would be impossible to work for many years in something like theater without arousing all sorts of sentiments, including negative ones” “Actually, nearly all my acting roles have been rather unkempt characters. I have never been an upper-class theater actress; I have never played the role of a queen or princess” “I try to identify myself completely with every character I play. Sometimes I can, sometimes I can't” “Theater is hard; the road I have traveled has not been easy, anything but a bed of roses”
it won all the awards available at the time. After that, the awards continued to trickle in... But yes, it has been pretty well four or five per year. Later, when I started working with Víctor García, with whom I did "Las Criadas" (The Maids), "Yerma", and "Divinas Palabras" (Divine Words), we won around 30 awards. Eventually, foreign awards started coming in, even for some plays produced jointly by my husband and me. —Pretty soon you won't receive any more awards, because you'll have won them all. — Well, you have to remember that many of these are very small awards, although they mean just as much to me as the "big" awards. What happens in reality is that when you go on tour, people tend to be so generous that in every place you stop in Spain, they award you whatever prizes they have. I think they give them to you because you've been in theater forever, because they feel bad for you, or just to put up with you. Some awards have meant much more to my career than other, but in my heart they are all equally appreciated. I mean, I would be willing to
travel for eight hours by plane or by car to receive an award given to me by any unheard-of little town, no matter how small it might be. —Where do you keep them all? — My husband used to make me keep them at home. He was the one who started counting them--I don't know if it was for bragging rights, to show off to his friends, or what. But I don't keep them at home any more: Now they are at the Almagro Theater Museum, except the most recent ones, which I keep in a closet at home. — Aside from the awards, another thing that really amazes me is that everyone has something good to say about Nuria Espert. — Well, that's because you haven't read everything that has been said about me. It seems to me either you've skipped a few web pages, or the people who don't like me don't use the Internet. But no, that's not entirely true. It would be impossible to work for this many years in something like theater without arousing all sorts of sentiments, including negative ones. However, I have to admit that, generally speaking, most of what is said
about me at this time in my life is positive. I guess I must have gotten through the most competitive, fighting years. Now I am able to enjoy a blissful time of peace, surrounded by those who truly love and appreciate me. But, naturally, I have had my share of detractors, as has everyone. There is no way I could be the exception--no artist can be the exception in this regard. — But you are known as the queen of Spanish theater. But I would like to bring up something you said during a small clash with a General Director of Administration. Specifically, I believe you said something to the effect of: “Don't 'madam' me, my bite is far worse than my bark.” Ah, yes. A lot of people really liked that one. That particular director thought he was dealing with a completely different sort of person. He was extremely rude and thought I was going to act like a lady, but I was not in any mood to put up with that kind of treatment. Besides, when people call me the queen of theater, it is out of love and respect. But, I have to admit that it is not a name I really like all that much.
e interview 65 Honestly, I would rather people call me a theater girl, and if they treat me nicely and call me a great theater girl, well, I would like that even more. I feel like the whole queen thing is for a different type of woman--the kind of woman that makes a great hostess, knows where to place the bread and the silverware, and other principles of etiquette and high society. — I hardly recognize you in that suit. — Well, yes, nearly all my acting roles have been rather unkempt characters. I mean, I have never been an upper-class theater actress; I have never played the role of a queen or princess. I have been in those roles and it feels a bit like a flattering remark that puts me off. It's like wearing an outfit that isn't my style. — It is true that when people think of Nuria Espert, they think of tragic characters, like Yerma, the Celestina... — And always on the stage barefoot. And after so much effort placed into that work dynamic, I guess I'll never be a lady. But in any case, I take it as a compliment, because I know it's meant with kind intentions. — Has there ever been a character you felt like you related to completely? — I try to identify myself completely with every character I play. Sometimes I can, sometimes I can't. But I always try to become her--the character. However, I am never able to do it completely--regardless of whether I'm having a good day or a bad day on stage. I have never felt a complete transformation. I know colleagues who claim that yes, they undergo a sort of metamorphosis as they play their role. — Maybe that is a bit extreme. — The important thing is to play your role well, and everyone has a different way of getting to that point. The whole thing about "marching to the beat of a different drummer" was never more applicable than in the theater. All actors, regardless of school or training, must find their own way to convince the audience that the story they are tell-
ing is true and that the character they are portraying actually exists. It doesn't matter whether it is classical theater, theater of the absurd, or the latest in modern trends: the role of an actor or actress is to convince the audience that his or her character is real, and you have to find the way to do that: sometimes you use humor, sometimes extremes and excesses, sometimes you withdraw, sometimes you practically kill yourself on stage, and sometimes you just pretend. It all depends. It depends on what you are trying to achieve. — Speaking of schools. I don't know whether you associate yourself with any school in particular, but as far as I know, the theater itself has been your school. You started as an amateur, and at a very young age jumped directly into a professional company. — I come from a school that is quickly disappearing and that, for me at least, was absolutely wonderful, that is, getting on stage and acting every single day. Today, this is impossible and young actors really cannot receive their training this way any more. I was 13 years old when I joined a theater company to act in plays for children, and I remained there until I was 17. By the time I left, I had all the training I needed, because I had been acting every day, twice a day, and sometimes even three times a day, doing the children's performance and then the two performances for adults. It was there where I went from girl to adolescent and cut off my braids. It was there where I took of my socks and began to wear stockings. — And you became a woman. — And I became a woman. That was where the transformation took place. I cannot even begin to describe how well that system works; it was amazing because, in my case, I had terrible stage fright for two or three years. If I had not been with that company, I may never have overcome it. Today, many actors, especially those just starting out, only work two or three months every two years. So you really
have to find other ways, such as theater schools, to help people burst that terrifying bubble of shyness that surrounds nearly every actor. I read biographies of my colleagues and it turns out that everyone talks about overcoming their shyness. I was also a very shy person--in fact, I still am, so you can imagine what it was like for me as a little girl. Imagine me leaving my home in the town of Santa Eulalia and going into a downtown Barcelona theater for the first time to begin acting with a professional company. It was hard, but now I feel that nobody has been as fortunate as I was, because there I learned everything you should and shouldn't do in theater. The lessons I learned way back then remain with me even today. I would say that 60 to 70 percent of what I know today I learned during those years. — You also learn to weather the storm. I imagine that at 14 and with stage fright, you would really have to summon all your courage to fight the urge to take off running. — Well, yes. But that happens to a lot of people. I mean, everyone who tries their hand at acting goes through that phase. Unless you're some sort of shameless freak who fears nothing and gets up on the stage with no feeling at all, everyone has felt some level of fear, and in my case it lasted for quite a long time. There is nothing heroic in what I was able to do--those feelings and fears are very commonplace. — But besides courage, you really need something more. You talk about your love for theater all the time. — Those who do not appreciate me might even say excessively. — A love and a passion, I guess. — Feeling passionate about something is not a decision to be made. Passions are an innate characteristic, probably encoded into each individual's genes. I never decided to have a passion for theater. Theater is hard; the road I have traveled has not been easy--anything but a bed of roses. I wish it were! It's more like climbing a very steep mountain. You have to be healthy, have a bit
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of good fortune, have character, and be able to deal with the rough times. Those are all innate characteristics. — You mention fortune. But fortune is something everyone seeks in their own way, although luck and chance are always involved. — I don't see it that way. If you seek fortune, you will not find it. However, I do believe that fortune passes by, and will pass by just about everyone at some point in time; so you have to be alert, and be prepared to take hold of it with both hands if necessary. — So it's not so much about seeking one's fortune as it is about what we could call predisposition. — It's about being prepared. In my case, when I was given the offer to work with the children's company where I started, I had already been reciting texts for years at these little "artists' gatherings" that were held all the time in my town. I hated reciting, but I did it because my parents enjoyed it and I never said no, which ended up giving me the preparation I needed to begin acting. Fortune plays a large part. Throughout my career I have met great people who have, unexpectedly and without obligation, given me support during the hard times... So... — In other words, life has treated you marvelously. — Yes, it has. I have met many, many good people, many generous people, and many hands have supported me just when I needed it most. That, to me, is true fortune. — You have also had the privilege of being able to play all your favorite roles. You recently said that you have always been able to do "whatever you wanted." — Well, that is more a figure of speech, because during Franco's regime nobody could do whatever they wanted. However, it is true that owning my own company has allowed me to choose my plays and my directors. However, we were unable to put together many of the plays we wanted to do, due to any number of problems or the impositions
of the Franco regime. We got hit as hard as everyone else. I do not mean to say that my husband and I were especially affected by Franco's rule. Everyone was having a hard time and everyone did the best they could within those limitations. — Having your own company was a result of the efforts of your husband. — It was. Armando was the one who started it and put forth the effort to keep it going. I was 20 at the time, and to me it seemed like a crazy thing to do--I thought it was insane. At the time, I had done "Medea", which was a huge success, but that was it. In reality, no one knew who I was, except for a few critics who had some good things to say. Armando put forth the effort to start the company and that allowed me to make my choices within the limitations imposed by the Franco regime. — Things have occurred rather precociously for you: by 12 you were a professional actor, by 19 you were married, and by 20-something you already had your own company. It all happened quite quickly. — Yes, it did. Everything happened quite quickly. But that's the way things have unfolded. Tell me it was not my good fortune that the Catalonian company where I started had contracted the great leading lady of the time, the wonderful Elvira Noriega, for a tour through the key festivals of Spain, and two weeks before the tour was to begin, she became ill and was unable to make the tour. — And you became the replacement for Elvira Noriega. — With Elvira Noriega in mind, and to get her to sign on, the company had selected plays such as "Medea" and "Fuente Ovejuna"--plays they knew she would enjoy. I was the third woman in "Medea", and for me it was like a dream to be on the tour and to be able to travel all over Spain. I had never left Catalonia! We were all really excited and we had been rehearsing for two
months when we found out that Elvira was not going to be able to come. The directors of the company, which had been formed precisely for the tour, began searching for an actress who could learn the part in just two weeks. They considered suspending the tour, which would have been a huge blow to the poor entrepreneurs. It was an absolute disaster. They became so desperate that they decided to try me out for the part, because someone remembered that I had once done "Romeo and Juliet" at the Romea theater with a semi-professional company. — And the tryout was a complete success, of course. — They gave me a test where I had to scream, because in "Medea" I had to scream so much that the first thing they wanted to know was whether or not I would be able to make it to the end of the play. The director met me at an old abandoned hospital that had been converted into a park, he placed me under a streetlamp with the text and he went to the opposite corner and had me read the "Medea" monologues. I read all the monologues, of course. They accepted me as the leading lady, but there were only 11 days left for rehearsals. I should mention that I had a prodigious memory, and that I had heard the text quite a few times during the two months that we had been rehearsing. — Didn't your legs shake? — Honestly, I don't remember. But the fact that I remember absolutely nothing about the opening night should say something about my state of nervousness. I only know that I walked out onto the stage, played my part, and that was it. — Later, with your own company and your husband keeping a roof over your head, the situation improved considerably. — Yes, it certainly did. Armando was the one who came up with the little money we had to start with, and the stars aligned in our favor as well, because it was Cayetano Luca de Tena who directed our first play--he did a fabulous
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“Throughout my career I have met great people who have, unexpectedly and without obligation, given me support during the hard times” “Film is just not a part of my life. I admit that it has not played any significant role” “I am not exactly an opera director but rather an actress in the director's shoes” “I have worked very hard. But there was a point, early on, when theater stopped feeling like a job to me”
job and the play was a complete success and basically set the course for our company. If that first play had flopped, we could have easily joined the many other companies that open and then close after the first try, especially if they lack the support of a well-known individual--someone with prestige. — On the other hand, your involvement in film is scarce, and not relevant in the grand scheme of things. — Film is just not a part of my life. I admit that it has not played any significant role. — I get the impression that what little you have done in film has been more out of obligation--somewhat unwillingly. — Not at first. When I was 20, I didn't know if I would like it or not--I didn't know if I would be able to work in film with the same enthusiasm as I did in theater. Quite honestly, I had no idea. I played some minor roles in film that I did not enjoy and where I didn't really like the way I looked. Besides, my career in theater was just beginning to take off, and I was starting to have so much success that film became a very marginal part of my life. It turned out
that when I was offered roles in film, I was never able to accept them because I always had some theater-related obligation, and every time I did film work, I was never satisfied with the way I came off. Every time I started doing a film I would get bored and couldn't wait to get back to theater. — But your dabblings in film have not been all negative. — I did two or three good films, or at least films that I liked. I also did some 10 or 12 more that I did not like at all, and at least a couple more that are absolutely horrendous. There eventually came a time when I decided, together with Armando, that my fortune ended there, and that theater was our thing--we were established as a theater company and we had received several awards, so from that point on I pretty much turned by back on film roles and I have never regretted it. In recent years, I made two films with Ventura Pons, "Actrius" in 1997 and "Barcelona (un mapa)" (Barcelona: A Map) in 2007. He might not like to hear it, but what Ventura Pons does is filmed theater, and I really have enjoyed working with him. But I don't
like doing film, even though I do enjoy watching movies. When I'm filming I can never get into that zone that you really need to be in to become part of the work. — Maybe one of your lesser-known sides is that you direct opera. You have been the director of some of the most highly-regarded works of all time. — Well, only eight or nine... — And on such iconic stages as the Teatro Real Theater in Madrid, the Barcelona Academy, and the Royal Opera House in London. — I have also directed some of the most difficult operas such as "Turandot" and "Carmen," which are two monsters from the abyss--two extraordinarily complex monstrosities. Of course, I have staged some easier ones such as Richard Strauss' "Elektra," "Madame Butterfly," "La Traviata," "Rigoletto," "Tosca"... However, I have not gone back to directing opera since Armando's passing. Except for two old commitments, I have not accepted any more offers. — Women opera directors are the exception, or at least they have been
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until now. To what do you attribute your receiving so many offers? — The operas I usually end up directing involve great female characters. I believe that by offering me an opportunity to direct those operas they feel, and probably correctly, that a woman such as I, who is not exactly an opera director but rather an actress in the director's shoes, just might, I insist, be able to offer a new and refreshing view of works that have been staged thousands of times, and very well in most cases. I feel that that was exactly the concept that allowed me to be successful so quickly and be in such demand in the world of opera. Because yes, it's true, there are very few women directing operas, and when I started there were even fewer. For example, the Teatro Real has just published a book on opera directors and I am the only woman named. I even became known as the "Queen of Covent Garden" because I directed in London for three consecutive years and because I was a woman in a man's world. However, every day there are more and more women directing opera. — It could be said that you have tried your hand at every aspect of theater, except for writing, and have been successful. — I have done translations and adaptations, but I have not written because I really don't have a talent for writing. If I did, rest assured that I would have tried that as well. — You certainly have dedicated many years to theater, but looking at your résumé, it is easy to see that you have used that time very well. — I have worked very hard. But I would like to point out that there was a point, early on, when theater stopped feeling like a job to me. While I was still in the training stage, yes, it felt like a job, and I was also haunted by the question of whether I would be able to make a living and not starve to death in this line of work. Like nearly every actress, I actually wanted to be a ballerina, but I really
“I feel most like myself when I'm acting. Everything else is simply accessory. When I'm directing, I feel a bit like an imposter” “The fact is, when I'm on stage, I feel secure and confident even when I'm not doing so well. I know I am an actress and if I don't do well in one performance, I will in the next” “Rafael Alberti was a veritable well of wisdom-an absolutely wonderful human being. Knowing him was one of the most wonderful things that ever happened to me” don't have the talent for dance either, so I went into theater because I was getting paid to do it. — Basically putting your nose to the grindstone. — Yes, something like that. Also, because I had so much stage fright, it wasn't even fun, but it was a job. When Armando and I created our own company, which was a way for both of us to move on professionally, it had become the work I liked best, but it was still a job. But there came a time, a time that did not coincide with the financial stability that we never enjoyed in the company, that it stopped being just a job. Naturally, that was where the money came from--theater was what allowed us to send the girls to school--but for me it had stopped feeling like going to work. When we would start preparing a new tour, I didn't start thinking about
how hard life is. I had become another person with a different attitude toward her profession. — It is obvious that theater requires significant physical and mental effort. I can only imagine what a several month-long tour must be like. — You need stamina and good health. We talked a little while ago about whether or not fortune can be sought. Everyone seeks good health, and even fools would rather have good health than anything else. But you really have to have the good fortune of being healthy to have a career as long as mine. Because I've done, I don't know, say 35 tours through Spain, and another 15 around the world--through Latin America, the United States, Russia. You have to be healthy. — You have been so immersed in theater that you have never gotten
e interview 69 caught up in the so-called "tabloid journalism," with its endless stream of infidelities, hookups, breakups, and other prying gossip. — It is a repulsive phenomenon that follows us artists around continuously. It has always existed in one form or another, but it used to be more subdued. I have never become embroiled in any of that because it has been my good fortune to have a splendid family life that brings me great satisfaction. People that feel lonely seek company and it is normal for them to go out and have a good time. People change partners, and, naturally, like anyone else, go out for a few drinks. The bad part is all that trash that gets thrown onto them--it is absolutely vile, a slime pit. As for me, what happened is that I've never been all that interesting to that little world--I tend to be very discreet. — You have in fact described yourself as modest. Tell me a little about that. — I think it's a beautiful word. Modesty really has nothing to do with naïveté, self-righteousness or anything of the sort. Modesty is the ability to keep to yourself that which is worth keeping. — A way of showing respect for yourself. — Yes, but it isn't easy. You have to remember that for a young actor or actress who finds him or herself suddenly hugely successful and alone... It's complicated, because it is a phenomenon that has spread throughout the world like a plague. — Of all your theatrical roles, as an actress, director, businesswoman, and all the rest, which do you identify with most? — I like to think of myself as a theater girl. I have done a little bit of everything, from sweeping the stage to overseeing the loading and unloading of props-I've done it all. And I like it that way--I like being known as a theater girl, and hopefully a good theater girl as well. That said, I feel most like myself when I'm acting. Everything else is simply accessory: I had a great time di-
recting the National Drama Center, and I enjoy doing translations. Directing is not quite as fun, but I have done quite a bit of directing. — With the remarkable list of plays you have staged, you can't tell me you don't enjoy directing. — When I'm directing, I feel a bit like an imposter. It's hard to explain, but I feel that getting involved in such a difficult task in the hardest possible way is just not a good idea. In my case, a play by Federico García Lorca with Glenda Jackson as the leading lady, in London, in a language that is not my native tongue. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. — It seems like a marvelous bit of fortune, a tremendous opportunity. — I don't recommend it because deep inside you know you're in over your head. While I was directing opera after opera at Covent Garden, it occurred to me that I was not what they thought I was. It makes me feel out of place. So out of place, in fact, that when my husband passed away, I disappeared from opera entirely, because he was the one who pushed me to keep directing. — Evidently the people who called on you to direct didn't agree, and I certainly don't believe they considered you an impostor. — The fact is, when I'm on stage, I feel secure and confident, even when I'm not doing so well. I know I am an actress and if I don't do well in one performance, I will in the next. But that isn't the same feeling I get when I direct. I'm happiest when I'm acting and that is what I enjoy the most; although I am also proud of having been involved in every aspect of theater. — You mentioned your international tours. I feel that we, as Spaniards, should owe you a debt of gratitude for taking Spanish theater all over the world. — I have been traveling all over the world since 1969, when I toured for "Las Criadas." I remember that in those years, the posters for most of the places we went--London, Paris,
Austria, New York, etc.--acclaimed us as the first Spanish company to visit whatever particular festival it was. It's too bad I don't have any of those posters, but I don't keep hardly anything. At the time it seemed perfectly natural, although with the passage of time and a new perspective I feel it was a marvelous opportunity, a "huge pleasure." At Belgrade, which at the time was host to the top theater festival in the world--the festival where the new trends were brought out, we won our first international award and we practically became part of the local team, because there, in addition to "Las Criadas," we also put on "Yerma," "Divinas Palabras," "Fedra," "Doña Rosita la soltera" (Doña Rosita the Spinster), and "The Tempest." — Several of those plays are by Federico García Lorca, an author with whom you have always had a very special relationship. — And this January, I will be acting in another of Lorca's plays: "La casa de Bernarda Alba." Words cannot describe... what I owe Lorca. As a little girl, about five or six years old, I was already reciting his poems, since my parents taught me "Romance de la luna, luna." Later I learned "Yerma," and Lorca's poetry was sort of at the heart of the readings I did with Rafael Alberti. I have recited Lorca solo at several readings, and I acted in Lluís Pasqual's "Haciendo Lorca" (Making Lorca)--a performance I did with Alfredo Alcón and that we took to Paris, London, Buenos Aires, and many other places. I've done "Doña Rosita la soltera." I directed "La casa de Bernarda Alba" in London, Tokyo, and Tel Aviv... — Your relationship with another Andalusian poet, Rafael Alberti, has also been very close and fruitful. — One of the most wonderful things that has ever happened to me. Words are not sufficient to talk about Rafael. He was a veritable well of wisdom--an absolutely wonderful, wonderful human being.
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profile of nuria espert Born in 1935 in L´Hospitalet de Llobregat (Barcelona), Nuria Espert graduated from high school in Barcelona, specializing in languages and music. However, her university was the theater: By 13 she was on stage performing plays for children, and she has remained on stage to this day. But before that time, at the urging of her parents who were great theater and poetry aficionados, Espert was reciting poetry at tiny "artists' gatherings" throughout Catalonia, which were held at small bars with tiny stages, a piano, and a microphone. She then joined amateur theater groups and at 17 had found her first great success when she was called to replace actress Elvira Noriega in the play "Medea." At 19 she married actor Armando Moreno, and the two founded their own company five years later.
Nuria Espert at the beginning of her career. (From left to right) Portrait 1970. Photograph of her performance in ValleInclán's "Divinas Palabras" (Divine Words) in Madrid, directed by Víctor García in 1977. At a poetry reading with Rafael Alberti in Barcelona in 1982. photos by efe
— And fun to be around, no doubt. — Very much so. These wrinkles in the corners of my eyes are probably the result of laughing so much with Rafael. He was a gift to life. We held over 300 readings over the course of 15 very short years. — How did it all begin? — I met him just after he had returned from exile, at a book presentation at the National Library--in fact it was Lorca's book, "Romancero Gitano" (Gypsy Romances), which Alberti illustrated. At the presentation, Rafael read poems that he had dedicated to Lorca and I read verses by the Granadine poet himself. Afterword, Rafael invited me to dinner with José Bergamín. At the table, both started reciting poems like crazy and began laughing and making fun of each other. — I imagine you took part in the
mirth as well. — It was an unforgettable night. Of course, I recited my share of poetry as well; after all, I knew Góngora and Quevedo by heart. We had such a good time that Rafael suggested I put together a poetry reading for the public. I told him I would and immediately began searching for a suitable locale. Two weeks later we were reciting poetry in the packed Aula Magna Hall of the University of Salamanca. Rafael had just returned from exile and his presence there had everyone in commotion. The atmosphere was so charged... Naturally there was no admission fee, but the fact is we would have paid money to do that reading. From there, we began to get invitations from all over. — Which poems did you recite? — Initially, Rafael had selected some of his favorite classics, San Juan de la
Cruz, Santa Teresa, Góngora... as well as a few of his own compositions. However, things began to change during the reading and we started to include works from some contemporary poets, although we retained our focus on the classics. Actually, there was a lot of variation in the readings--no two were alike--but we did eventually reach a set of poems that had to be recited at every event, while others came and went. Rafael improvised. Suddenly he would say: Today we are going to recite Mr. Soand-So because he is a great poet and everyone ignores him. However, we always started with Jorge Manrique's "Coplas a la muerte de mi padre," and ended with a poem called "A galopar, a galopar." Rafael chose some fabulous poetry. To this day, if I am asked to do a reading, I still refer to the notes he
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From that point on, the quality and breadth of her professional career has never ceased to amaze; she has been the recipient of over 200 national and international awards, including the National Theater Prize, the National Theatrical Interpretation Prize, and the London Standard Gramma for best theatrical direction. Nuria Espert has also been highly esteemed as an opera director, a field dominated almost entirely by men. In 2002, she published her memoirs titled "De aire y fuego" (Of Air and Fire), which she wrote in collaboration with theater critic Marcos Ordóñez. In 2007, author and journalist Juan Cruz published a new book about the actress from Catalonia, titled "Nuria".
From left to right and top to bottom. Photo with Fernando Fernán Gómez in 1985 during the National Theater Awards ceremony. Performance of "Medea" during the Mérida Classical Theater Festival in 2001. With José Luis Gómez, in "Play Strindberg", performed at the Abadía Theater in Madrid. Receiving the "Lifetime" Award, from the Actors Union in 2007. One of her latest performances in "Hay que purgar a Totó" (A Laxative for Totó) at the Spanish Theater in Madrid.
gave me. — I would like to ask you about your latest staging. I am referring to the comedy "Hay que purgar a Totó" (A Laxative for Totó). It has taken a lot of people by surprise, as you have always played more serious characters in more dramatic works. — It is more than a comedy. It is a brilliant bit of satire, and I am working with one of Europe's best directors, Georges Lavaudant, and an excellent cast. — You've been all over Spain with this play. — Yes, we have. We have been all over the place and had a lot of success. I really enjoy these tours. I love touring through Spain--foreign tours I don't like quite as much--because I have a lot of friends in the company and Spain is a beautiful country that always has something new to offer.
— A new play for the new year. Allow me, if you would, one final question: How can you work in the trenches, so to speak, for so long and yet remain so alive, and keep doing such amazing work on stage? What is your secret? — I will answer with the words of the great tenor Plácido Domingo. One day, my husband, who was an opera fanatic and a huge fan of Plácido Domingo, and I were spending a few days in London and we found out that Plácido would be giving a recital in a small English city. Off we went. It was an odd sort of recital--an open air recital--with everyone wearing evening gowns and a picnicstyle intermission with tablecloths on the ground but five-star table service. You know, a very English sort of affair-very unrelated to opera, and even a little crazy in my opinion. After the event, I
found out that Plácido would be taking a flight early the next morning to who knows where to sing two days later, and I asked him why on earth he would have held that recital. He replied simply: “For the love of it.” And the same applies to me. Why do I travel to some tiny town in the middle of nowhere to play a part in "Hay que purgar a Totó" at this point in my life? There is really no other explanation: for the love of it.
Interview by Luis Sánchez
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