English Language Broadcast

The International Council of Museums established International Museum Day in 1977 to raise public awareness of the role of museums and promote their importance in the development of society. This year, the museums around the world, have celebrated on May the 18th the International Museum Day under the theme "Museums Uniting a Divided World." To mark the occasion, we visited the National Museum of Romanticism, in Madrid. This Museum houses an important collection of historical and artistic objects focused on daily life and customs of the 19th century, with special attention to the aesthetic movement of Romanticism. To learn more about the Museum of Romanticism, we were joined by curator Inés López Gómez and we also spoke to some foreing visitors that were discovering this museum. Escuchar audio

Following Augusto Pinochet's arrest in London in 1998, his team approached British lawyer Philippe Sands. They wanted him to represent the Chilean dictator. "I would have done it, but my wife said she would divorce me if I did the case," Sands tells the English Language Broadcast. Instead, he ended up representing Human Rights Watch in the case against Pinochet. Last year, he published 38 London Street, a book in which he delves into the crimes of Pinochet's regime and the dictator's connection with a Nazi official who secretly lived in Chile. An expert in international law, Philippe Sands has appeared as counsel before international courts in many other significant cases, notably representing Mauritius in the sovereignty dispute over the Chagos Archipelago and Gambia in the ongoing genocide case against Myanmar. As an author, he has written about the Nuremberg trials, and he is currently working on a book about the killing of Ukrainian novelist Victoria Amelina in a Russian attack. We had the chance to discuss all this and more with Sands during his latest visit to Madrid, where he also reflected on the lack of accountability for the crimes of Franco's dictatorship in Spain. We also talked about Gaza, the definition of genocide, and Donald Trump's disregard for international law. "International law has always been a long game. Mr Trump can express the desire to tear up the rules, but I suspect that, in the long term, the rules of international law will outlive Mr Trump," Sands assures. Escuchar audio

In this week's broadcast, we interview Philippe Sands, a lawyer, writer and international law expert. Having been involved in the Pinochet case in the '90s, and currently acting as counsel in the landmark genocide case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice, Sands reflects on the definition of genocide, and on Donald Trump's disregard for international law. "The rules of international law will outlive Mr Trump," he assures us. Sands, whose latest book, 38 Londres Street, recounts Spanish efforts to hold Pinochet accountable for his regime's crimes, also reflects on the open wound of the lack of accountability for human rights violations during the dictatorship in Spain. In his view, "Spain lives with a haunting of its own because it has never really come to terms with what happened after General Franco took power". On another note, this week we also celebrate International Museum Day, which took place on Monday. To mark the occasion, we visit the National Museum of Romanticism in Madrid -one of the few museums in the world focusing on this historical period- where we speak with curator Inés López and visitors from around the world. Escuchar audio

The hantavirus outbreak on board the Hondius cruise ship has reignited fears and sparked a political confrontation in Spain. To shed some light on the true extent of this health crisis, we are joined by Dr Daniel López-Acuña, an epidemiology and global public health expert, and former World Health Organization executive. "This outbreak does not pose pandemic or epidemic threats. It is not the COVID infection," he reassures us. Following the complex evacuation of the ship's passengers in Tenerife, all eyes are now on the 14 Spanish nationals who were on board and are currently in quarantaine in a military hospital in Madrid. Against this backdrop, Dr López-Acuña stresses the need of conducting sufficiently lengthy quarantines, stating that countries choosing "light versions of quarantine" are making a mistake. In this week's broadcast, we also discuss architecture, given that Barcelona is the World Capital of Architecture for 2026. The event aims to showcase the city's urban diversity, with each district taking centre stage over the next few months through a variety of activities. To find out what it means to be the World Capital of Architecture, we are joined by architect Anna Ramos, one of the organisers, who gives us a sneak peek at the planned events ahead. Escuchar audio

This week, we are joined by Spanish photographer Luis Tato, who was recently awarded the World Press Photo prize in the Africa category. Having witnessed firsthand the growing difficulty and danger of practising journalism while reporting on conflicts in East Africa, Tato calls for more respect and protection for reporters and photographers. We also examine the increasingly dangerous situation facing journalists in Lebanon with our collaborator in Beirut, Elsa Yazbek Charabati. The latest symbol of this violence against the press is the murder of Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil, known as 'the Butterfly of the South', who was killed in an Israeli strike. In this week's broadcast we also take a sneak peek at the new exhibition on the Spanish painter Francisco de Zurbarán at the National Gallery in London. This is the first major exhibition devoted exclusively to Zurbarán's work in the UK. It features 42 of the Baroque master's paintings, a third of which come from Spain, as the show's co-curator, Dr Francesca Whitlum-Cooper, tells us. Escuchar audio

Gareth Thomas is living proof that you can have an active, full life while being HIV positive. On a mission to fight stigma, the Welsh rugby legend joins us on the English Language Broadcast after running a half marathon in Madrid to debunk the myths and misunderstandings that still surround HIV today. "So many people have an image of people who live with HIV to be weak. I choose to be strong. They expect them to be silent. I will be loud," he tells us. In this week's broadcast, we also look back at the historic power cut that left most of Spain and Portugal in the dark one year ago. To discuss the lessons of the blackout, the current state of Spain's electricity system, and whether it could happen again, we are joined by Pedro Fresco, general director of the Valencian Energy Sector Association and energy expert. Escuchar audio

To celebrate World Book Day, we visit Desperate Literature, an international bookshop in the heart of Madrid. Co-owner Terry Craven gives us a tour and recounts the bookshop's history, from sleeping in the store in the early days, to being forced to relocate amid a dire real estate market after an investment fund bought the previous premises. Terry also tells us all about the events held at Desperate Literature, including their Short Fiction Prize, which is receiving entries from all over the world, including from writers in Iran, as well as a handwritten entry from a correctional facility in the US which arrived shortly after we walked through the door. Meanwhile, in the Middle East, where daily life is still shaped by uncertainty and the ongoing scars of war, reading is emerging as an increasingly important refuge and space of freedom. Despite the fragile situation there, the Instituto Cervantes in Beirut is continuing its cultural activities to mark World Book Day. Our collaborator in Lebanon, Elsa Yazbek Charabati, gives us the details. Finally, in this week's broadcast we also discuss 'The global economic impact of disinformation', a recent analysis which estimates the cost of disinformation at 417 billion dollars worldwide in 2024. Joining us to explain how certain actors are profiting from disinformation while it costs the rest of the world millions is Thomas Delorme, an Information Threats and Public Affairs consultant at Sopra Steria and one of the authors of this study. Escuchar audio

To mark World Art Day, we explore the history and cultural significance of Guernica, Pablo Picasso's iconic masterpiece, which has become a universal symbol of civilian suffering in times of war. Joining us to discuss the painting is Pepe Karmel, an Art History professor at New York University and a world authority on Picasso's work. We focus in particular on the many journeys that Guernica has undertaken throughout its lifetime, amid the controversy surrounding the request to transfer the piece to the Basque Country for a temporary exhibition. Professor Karmel weighs in on the debate, while the Reina Sofía Museum has already opposed the move due to concerns over the painting's condition. This week, we also discuss European defence policy with Diego de Ojeda, Head of the Defence and Preparedness Unit at the General Secretariat of the European Commission, who took part in an event hosted by Club Diálogos para la Democracia this week. After his presentation, he told us about the opportunities for the Spanish defence sector in developing the EU's security capabilities. Escuchar audio

In this week's broadcast, we interview Nadia Calviño, President of the European Investment Bank (EIB). Against the backdrop of the war in the Middle East, and with the EIB having quadrupled its funding for defence-related projects since 2024, Calviño asserts that Europe must "break free from its dependence on fossil fuels" and become autonomous in terms of security and defence as well. The former Spanish Vice President and Minister for Economy also weighs in on the evolving relationship between Europe and the United States. In her opinion, "there is a seismic shift in the tectonic plates that underpinned the global order" and the European Union is finding its voice in this new scenario. "Our unity is clearly our strength; that is why there is so many wanting to divide us," she says. We also speak to Blanca Hervás, a rising star in Spanish athletics who recently won two medals at the World Indoor Championships in Poland. Aside from discussing her latest successes, she talks about the implications of becoming an elite athlete and tells us how she has decided to leave her job to focus fully on her sporting career. Finally, to mark World Health Day this week, we are joined by Dr Manuel Valiente, Head of the Brain Metastasis Group at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO). His team has recently revealed a novel way in which tumours hijack immune cells to alter the brain and spread cancer, a discovery that could be valuable in treating not only brain metastases, but also other conditions. Escuchar audio

In this week's broadcast, we delve into the 'ninth art', as Madrid hosted the second edition of its comic book fair last week. We visited the fair and spoke to attendees and exhibitors, including Jesús Marugán, owner of Akira Comics, and to Laura Barrachina, curator of the cultural programme. After the fair, we were joined by Marta Kayser, an author who has just published her first graphic novel, La fábrica de papel, the result of a seven-year investigation into her family history, which has changed both her personal and professional life. We will also discuss the protection of digital rights, a major concern for governments worldwide due to the rise of artificial intelligence and the risks of social networks. To address these issues, Casa de América recently organized a roundtable discussion in Madrid under the title Digital Rights: A Necessary Dialogue Between the EU and Canada. During the event, we learnt how these issues are being addressed in Canada from Jeffrey Marder, the Canadian Ambassador to Spain, and Karim Benyekhlef, a professor and the Director of the Cyberjustice Laboratory at the University of Montreal. We also heard the Spanish perspective from Eduard Blasi, a lawyer specialising in digital rights and artificial intelligence. Finally, we address the war in the Middle East, where Lebanon is facing a new and deadly escalation as Israeli strikes intensify across the country, forcing the Lebanese army to withdraw from several villages in the South. Our collaborator in Lebanon, Elsa Yazbek Charabati, gives us the details. Escuchar audio

In this week's broadcast, we take you to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid, a highly anticipated event in the fashion calendar and a major platform for promoting Spanish creative talent internationally. Following last week's Autumn/Winter edition, we shine the spotlight on the EGO runway, a stage for showcasing emerging talent, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Valentina Suárez-Zuloaga, creative director of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid, highlights the importance of nurturing emerging talent and the many success stories that began on the EGO catwalk, where ten up-and-coming designers had the opportunity to showcase their work this year. We met two of them: Marta Granados, founder of Maison Gracen, and Erik Bruccia, the designer behind Eaftimos. They told us about their creative vision, their sources of inspiration and the challenges in establishing their own fashion brands. We are also joined by historian Pamela Radcliff, an authority on the history of Modern Spain, who recently presented the assessment '50 Years of Scholarship on the Southern European Democratic Transitions' in Madrid. Professor Radcliff talks to us about this investigation, and also shares her thoughts on recent revelations about the 1981 coup attempt, as well as the surge of revisionist narratives about the Franco dictatorship. She is concerned that 'many people have lost the belief that democracy is making their lives better'. Ahead of this weekend's Madrid Comic Fair, we also speak to its curator, writer and journalist Laura Barrachina. She gives us a preview of the cultural programme for this edition, which will bring together international authors and feature talks, panel discussions, live podcasts, radio broadcasts, screenings and comic-creation workshops for children and adults. Finally, we address the war in the Middle East. In Lebanon, the human toll is rising dramatically and cultural sites are being destroyed, as humanitarian organisations warn that Israel is committing war crimes. Our collaborator in Beirut, Elsa Yazbek Charabati, gives us the details. Escuchar audio

In this week's broadcast, we analyse the main social changes that Spain has undergone over the last decade. The Centre for Sociological Research (CIS) recently published the fifth volume of 'Spain 2025: Structure and Social Change'. This publication addresses key issues such as demography, inequality, employment, family, politics, migration, and culture. The project involved 146 experts and was edited by José Félix Tezanos and Constanza Tobío Soler. Tobío, a Professor of Sociology at Carlos III University and recipient of the 2021 National Sociology Prize, joins us to analyse some of the most significant aspects of the evolution of Spanish society over the past ten years. In addition, we visit an exhibition in Congress commemorating the 1978 Constitution becoming the longest-standing in Spanish history. The display covers the 47-year history of the Magna Carta through photographs from the EFE news agency. It also features artefacts from the congressional archive, including a miniature edition of the Constitution that travelled into space. We had the opportunity to speak with Miguel Ángel Gonzalo, the director of Documentation, Library and Archives of the Spanish Congress, who told us all about it. Finally, we continue to analyse the conflict in the Middle East and its repercussions for Spain. Israel has announced the launch of ground operations in southern Lebanon, and fighting has already forced around one million people from their homes. Our collaborator in Beirut, Elsa Yazbek Charabati, gives us the details. Escuchar audio

In this week's broadcast, we discover the 'Caja de las Letras' ('Box of Letters'), an underground vault beneath the headquarters of the Instituto Cervantes in Madrid which guards a precious treasure: the legacies of great figures from the world of Spanish-language culture. Luis Marina, Director of International Relations at the institution, shows us around the chamber and explains how creators have deposited their contributions in its safe deposit boxes over the years, deciding when they will be opened. The vault now contains a myriad of unique objects, ranging from songwriter Joaquín Sabina's hat to poet Nicanor Parra's typewriter and the dress worn by actress Ángela Molina in the film 'Las cosas del querer'. We are also joined by Andrea Stephany Díaz, co-founder and CEO of OncoSwab. This Medtech start-up is developing a method of detecting lung cancer using nasal swabs, similar to those used for testing for COVID. Díaz explains the advantages of combining this innovative, non-invasive test with traditional methods such as CT scans for the early detection of cancer. "We want to make it very easy for patients to recognise the signs that something is wrong," she says. Finally, we also continue to analyse the conflict in the Middle East and its repercussions. Spain has sent a frigate to Cyprus, but has refused to allow the United States to use the Rota and Morón military bases to launch attacks against Iran. To help us better understand the situation of these bases, and the disagreement between Spain and the US, we are joined by retired Lieutenant General Juan Antonio del Castillo Masete. Meanwhile, Israeli strikes continue to pound Lebanon. Our collaborator in Beirut, Elsa Yazbek Charabati, reports on the killing of Maronite Catholic priest Pierre El-Rahi, whose death has become a symbol of the nation's grief as the violence intensifies and deepens fears over the country's fragile stability. Escuchar audio

In this week's broadcast, we are joined by Iranian political analyst Daniel Bashandeh to discuss the war in the Middle East, following the attack on Iran by the United States and Israel. Against the backdrop of the rift between the US and Spain over our country's stance on the conflict, he believes that "Donald Trump is trying to divide the European Union once again". With the conflict spreading to Lebanon, where Israeli air strikes have hit several locations across the country, our collaborator Elsa Yazbek Charabati reports from Beirut on the situation there. Finally, ahead of International Women's Day, we take a look at the history of feminist protest in Spain and we speak to Sociology Professor Capitolina Díaz, who recently won the National Prize for Sociology. A specialist in the sociology of gender and social methods with a gender perspective, Professor Díaz talks to us about the gender gap in caregiving, as well as discriminatory biases in science and the importance of inclusive language. Escuchar audio

In this week's broadcast, we look back at the past four years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as the conflict enters its fifth year with no ceasefire in sight. To find out more about the current state of the conflict and the ongoing peace negotiations, we are joined by global affairs analyst Michael Bociurkiw. Mr Bociurkiw, who has been based in Ukraine since before the war began, describes the dire situation there, amid power outages and nightly bombings in the winter cold. On the frontline, he tells us, Ukrainian families are having to make the painful decision to exhume their loved ones and move them to safer ground. "Even the dead have no rest in this war," he says. On a more cheerful note, we give you a preview of the 40th edition of the Goya Awards, the 'Spanish Oscars', which will take place in Barcelona this weekend. Leading the nominations are 'Los domingos', 'Sirāt' and 'Maspalomas', while US actress Susan Sarandon will receive this year's International Goya Award. Director Gonzalo Suárez, in turn, will receive the 2026 Honorary Goya Award. Escuchar audio

One month has passed since the tragic train crash in Adamuz, Córdoba, where 46 people were killed and over a hundred were injured. To find out how survivors and victims' families have been supported in the aftermath of this tragedy, we speak to Cristina Domínguez, a psychologist specialising in emergencies and disasters. The accident in Adamuz has caused a terrible human tragedy, but also a deep crisis of confidence in the Spanish railway system. We discuss how trust can be restored with María Luisa Moreo, general director of Señor Lobo & Friends and an expert in crisis communication, and Pablo Salvador, a railway engineering specialist and assistant professor at the Universitat Politécnica de Valencia. Finally, we end our broadcast on a more cheerful note by taking you on a tour of some of the most prominent Carnival celebrations in Spain. Escuchar audio

It's World Radio Day next Friday. To celebrate, we take you on a journey through the history of Spanish radio, from the birth of Radio Nacional de España to the transition to democracy, up until the present day, when radio continues to prove itself as a crucial source of information when all else fails. However, radio stations and the media in general currently face many challenges, one of the most significant being the spread of disinformation. To discuss this issue and the tools available to combat it, we speak to Borja Díaz-Merry, a reporter at Verifica RTVE, Radio Televisión Española's fact-checking team. Disinformation is also a source of concern among Spanish youth. This was highlighted during a meeting between Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Parliament, and over 300 young people in Madrid last week. We attended the event, where other issues were raised too - particularly the housing crisis. Escuchar audio

In this week's broadcast, we address Donald Trump's immigration crackdown in Minnesota, where the aggressive tactics employed by ICE immigration officers have sparked outrage both in and outside the United States. We speak to Mercedes Moreno, a Spanish national living in Minneapolis who volunteers to deliver food to immigrant families. She shares her first-hand account of the ICE raids in her city, in which two US citizens were killed last month. We also take you on a tour of Madrid Fusión in our broadcast. Celebrating its 24th edition last week under the slogan 'The customer takes control', the largest food fair in Spain and one of the most prominent in the world attracted visitors from far and wide. During our tasty tour, we explore the cuisine of Jerez, the Spanish gastronomic capital for 2026, and speak with renowned chefs about their work. Escuchar audio

In this week's broadcast, we take you on a walk around Fitur, the International Tourism Fair that took place last week in Madrid. While in Fitur, we travel from Asturias to Melilla, we discover 'The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain' and we learn about REDD, the Spanish Network of Destinations for Diversity, which promotes safe and inclusive destinations for the LGBTQ+ community. All before taking a deep dive into the thriving language tourism sector with Begoña Llovet, vice president of the Federation of Spanish Schools as a Foreign Language, and Paolo Barilari, president of the Federation of Educational and Linguistic Consultants Associations. And after our visit to Fitur, and since the International Day of Education was this past weekend, we are joined by Ana Hernández Revuelta, the educator who created 'Co-Teaching', an innovative teaching method for which she has been nominated for the Global Teacher Prize, the 'Nobel Prize for Education'. Escuchar audio

In this week's broadcast, we reflect on the tumultuous first year of Donald Trump's second presidential term, marking the one-year anniversary of his return to the White House. We discuss the implications of his policies for Spain and the European Union with José Antonio Gurpegui, Director of the Franklin Institute and Professor of American Studies at the University of Alcalá de Henares. We also address the use of deepfake technology as a form of digital violence against women, while Spain plans to prosecute the use of artificial intelligence to generate non-consensual images and AI chatbot Grok faces global scrutiny. To understand how this issue can be tackled, we speak to Eleonora Esposito, a researcher at the University of Navarra who specialises in digital violence against women. Escuchar audio