MADRID PEOPLE!

Madrid has always been a city of immigrants. When Phillip II moved his court here in 1561, the citizens of Spain followed despite its insignificant status and faulty infrastructure. They have continued to do so since, filling a formerly unimportant city to the brims with an eclectic mix of regional and international cultures.

Ask anyone in Madrid and they'll tell you that it's hard to find true "madrileño," as most who were born here have at least one parent from elsewhere in Spain. Nevertheless, the fact that there are few autochthonous madrileños makes it that much easier for outsiders to feel at home. In short, you don't have to be from Madrid to be a "madrileño".

If you want to get a taste of authentic Madridian customs your best bet is to attend the Madrid festivals of San Isidro (May) or La Paloma (August).

The central characteristic that unites Madrid people is easy to identify: they love to socialize. You will find people on the streets at all hours of the night, every night of the week.

About 17% of Madrid's population (approx. 3 million total) are immigrants. The countries most highly represented are: Ecuador, Colombia, Perú, Romania, Bulgaria, Bolivia and Argentina. 

Are Madrid people more friendly than Barcelona people? What do you think before and after the visit to Madrid? Well, we'll see it. (Mariona Estruga)

MAJOR MADRID FESTIVALS!

Nochevieja, December 31

New York has Times Square, but Madrid's ball drops from the clock tower at Puerta del Sol, where thousands gather yearly and Spaniards elsewhere watch the raucous on TV. Instead of counting down from 10, the clock chimes 12 to represent good fortune for the 12 upcoming months of the year. Tradition obliges you to eat a grape at every toll - more of a challenge than you might imagine - and uncork your champagne at midnight. After that, it's impossible predict where the night will take you!

Dos de mayo, May 2

On May 2, 1808, the people of Madrid rose up against Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon's brother, to free themselves of French rule. Thus began the 6-year War of Independence and, along with it, a new concept of Spain delineated by the country's first constitution. Madrid celebrates this beloved uprising around the Plaza de 2 de mayo in Malasaña, an important battle site and, since then, a counterculture epicenter.

San Isidro, May 15

San Lorenzo, San Cayetano & La Paloma, August

August heat prompts most madrileños to escape the city, but those who stay commiserate merrily throughout the centre at outdoor fairs, bars and concerts. First come the neighbourhood festivals of San Cayetano in El Rastro neighbourhood and San Lorenzo in Lavapiés, where local residents set up concerts, colourful decorations, games and outdoor food & drink stands. La Paloma, on the other hand, celebrates the Virgen's Assumption during the week of August 15th with traditions similar to San Isidro.

 (Mariona Estruga)

ONE MONUMENT MORE FOR THE TOURISTS THAT VISIT MADRID

Probably, this club, situated in the spanish capital, is one of the best clubs in the world dedicated to football (possibly, it's the most popular sport, so it's the most practiced around the world). The white team has won a lot of titles, because it has been the best club of 20 century, so in his museum, the tourists can visit the trophy that commemorates the successes of that century. Besides, From my point of view, "los merengues", his nickname, have the best players, they have improved in their countries and they have signed to participate in the best football club, at least so far. But not only nowadays, in addition, Real Madrid has had the best football starts, so the pearls of this sport have pass for here.

Real madrid is the club with more history. Officially, the real name of this entity is Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, although is more known as Real Madrid. However, the team was founded as Madrid Foot Ball Club, in English. It was founded in 6th of March in 1902. Oddly enough, the team was founded by two catalan brothers, Joan Padrós Rubió and Carles Padrós Rubió. That's strange, but it's true, because there's rivalry between spanish and catalan. Real madrid plays their matches in Santiago Bernabeu, an important and a big stadium, above all, in Europe. Santiago Bernabeu has became in a monument more for the travellers that come to madrid. It has capacity for 85.454 viewers. Actually, the manager or the coach is the portuguese José Mourinho and the director is Florentino Pérez.

Carlos Díaz

NIGHTLIFE FLAMENCO IN MADRID

If you are spending some time in Madrid,the best idea for your night free time is going to any bar and enjoying flamenco. As you know flamenco is more tipical from Sevilla, but Madrid is the capital of flamenco. There are many bars in Madrid that offers shows of this traditional dancing.

El Rincón de Jerez, in the Salamanca area, offers a most authentic atmosphere. ‘The lights go down, candles are lit to set the mood and the audience are given a song sheet so that they can join in.'

After an aperitif and a few mid-afternoon beers, we head off to enjoy a delicious meal next to one of Madrid's most long-standing tablaos, or flamenco bars. Some of the most prestigious artists of the flamenco world will take to the stage while we enjoy a glass of wine and a traditional Spanish dish. (Alba Balletbó)

"Siesta"

The siesta probably began in Spain, and then spread to many Latin American countries. This, is a famous tradition throughout Spain, is the daily rest period, typically between 2 and 5 p.m., when Spaniards go home to eat, sleep and be with family. Many shops and public buildings close during this time to allow workers to enjoy a respite from the working day. In some locales, the break is a necessity, allowing workers to get out of the oppressive heat of the summer's sun and cool off before returning to work in the late afternoon. 

I think that's the same as "la becaina" that we say here, in Catalonia. Do you agree?

( Paula Sobrino )

( Paula Sobrino)

"Toros"

Madrid is surely the place, together with Andalucia, where the feeling and the traditions related to bulls is most vivid thanks also to the magnificent and biggest "plaza de toros" in Spain and in the world called Las Ventas. Get carried away by the atmosphere of 25.000 people who take part to this incredible performance.
Corrida de Toros is bullfighting the Spanish tradition that is thought to derive from Roman influences more than several 100 years ago. Some love it, some hate it, but it’s a tradition that is still going on and strong all over Spain. So, you can go there, look it and explain your opinion !
(Paula Sobrino)

Are you ready to learn the dancing?

In this video we can see the last San Isidro festival in Madrid on may 15th, there are chulapos and chulapas dancing "El  Chotis". As I say, for me it's like "Sardanes" and for you?

(Lluís Espallargas)