Spotlight

The unspoken story of Madrid’s Muslim cemetery

5 October 2022

Following a spike in burials during Madrid’s first wave of Covid-19, the Griñón cemetery ran out of space, but instead of finding a new site, “there have been discussions about exhuming bodies that have already been there for 10 years, but not necessarily informing the families,” says Maysoun. “Another option discussed was to demolish the mosque, but [really] we just need more space.” Beyond a lack of space or access to Islamic burials, however, there’s something else that haunts the families of those buried in Griñón – it’s where Franco’s Moroccan troops are buried.

Spotlight

Spain’s plan for menstrual leave is good, but it can go further

5 October 2022

In May this year, the Spanish cabinet approved a menstrual leave law – the first of its kind in Europe. If it passes in the country’s parliament, people suffering from painful periods will from next year be entitled to a minimum of three days of menstrual leave per month, with the possibility of extending this to five days if necessary.

Spotlight

The eviction of La Quimera

22 September 2022

“I don’t know what time it was but all I heard was ‘BOOM – BOOM – BOOM – CRASH’” said one of the informal residents of La Quimera, holding a small suitcase containing all of his personal belongings. “Then [the police] came inside and told us to leave.”

Lost & Found

The giant Retiro Park monument to Colombus that (fortunately) never was

1 August 2022

Paris has the Eiffel Tower; New York has the Statue of Liberty. But Madrid almost had this: a 200-meter-high globe in the middle of Retiro Park. This “Monumento a Colón” was designed before 1892 to commemorate 400 years since Columbus landed in the Americas, and to attempt to justify the Spanish Empire at a time when it was crumbling.

Spotlight

Cities across Spain gather over the largest mass loss of life the Spanish border has ever seen

27 June 2022

At least 37 people were killed attempting to cross from Africa to Europe on Friday. Most victims were from Sudan, South Sudan and Chad – countries involved in armed conflicts. If the victims had made it to Spain, they would likely have received international protection. Instead, authorities formed a massive human block locking in those who were falling from the wire fences. They were trapped on a slope by the border fence on the Moroccan side and were crushed to death.

Spotlight

‘The Kiss’: a secret, split-second moment that captured Madrid’s heart

14 June 2022

It was 25 May 2020, just a few weeks after confinement, and we were finally allowed to stroll the streets with no particular purpose. Back then, the abueles were staying at home a bit more than now, spending many hours on standing at the windows or on their balconies interacting with passersby. It was the only socialising they could do, and so small exchanges became extremely important.

Let's talk

Yes, the word ‘guiri’ is offensive

9 June 2022

No foreigner being called ‘guiri’ is going to take it as a compliment yet we’re expected to just take it. Digging deeper into the word guiri, I’ve confirmed that it is, indeed, not something that I’m okay with being called. Here’s why.

Lost & Found

Unforgotten Spain: An intact concentration camp has finally been put back on the map

26 April 2022

A tin of sardines from 1938 has just been unearthed. It’s so perfectly preserved that we can still see its original pink paint and decorative lettering, reading, ‘Sardinas en Aceite puro de oliva español (Sardines in pure Spanish olive oil). “It’s one of our best finds,” explains Luís Antonio Ruíz Casero, the leading archaeologist from CSIC out of a team of eight, who have been excavating the site for three weeks.

Course

Journalists of the Future course enrolment now open for May 2022!

8 April 2022

Social journalism is growing. It’s a world away from the elitist traditional journalism that has dominated our access to information; this is about stories for the people, about the people, by the people, and is a powerful tool for change. As a social journalist myself, I’m committed to not only being a part of this shift, but to making it grow. That is why I want to teach you everything I know about social journalism because the world needs more journalists like you! Enrol onto my online course today and become a Journalist of the Future!

SUBSCRIBE FOR

A FREE COPY OF MY

WEEKEND GUIDE FOR MADRILEÑES!

 

SUBSCRIBE TO THE MNF

NEWSLETTER!