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The Fallas is a traditional celebration held in commemoration of Saint Joseph in the city of Valencia, Spain, throughout the month of March. The term Fallas refers to both the festivity -marked by fireworks, music, dancing, parades, and religious offerings- and the colorful and whimsical monuments that are burnt down during its climax. People in Valencia work year-round to prepare the 'ninots' , e...

The Cumbia music genre was born in Colombia from the fusion of Indigenous, African and Spanish cultures. From there, la cumbia crossed frontiers and adopted new musical styles from different countries. In Mexico, people swiftly embraced this music genre and started infusing it with their own traditional instruments and signature musical influences. The adapted cumbia mexicana is a joyful and catch...

Francis Drake was an English explorer, slave trader, and privateer, hailed as a local hero by the British, but despised by Dominicans. Drake had a key role in the Anglo-Spanish War, and made a name for himself invading and raiding La Española in 1586. He led a ruthless assault on Santo Domingo, the modern-day capital of the Dominican Republic, expecting to find gold and wealth which left the city...

Zapotec indigenous people from Oaxaca, Mexico, have proven to be more advanced than other societies in matters of gender diversity and acceptance. Since pre-Hispanic times, Zapotec culture recognizes men, women, and muxes, people who were born male but choose to live adopting female-coded costumes and roles. Although los muxes are accepted and even regarded as a blessing to their families, outside...

The history of the world is full of fatal love stories, from Romeo and Juliet to the Lovers of Teruel in Spain. In Ecuador there is a love story that is over 6000 years old: los Amantes de Sumpa. This is the popular name given to the skeleton remains of a young couple who died, apparently, making love.  The couple lived over 6000 years ago, and their position suggests that they died in a loving em...

Monika Erlt came from a prominent German family with close ties to the Nazi regime, who fled to Bolivia after WWII. There, Monika witnessed extreme poverty and inequality, leading her to question her family's Nazi ideology. After the execution of Che Guevara, Monika joined the guerrilla movement, changed her name and quickly climbed to the highest ranks, raising funds for their cause and successfu...

After Brazil, Peru has the second largest Japanese community in Latin America. At the end of the 19th century, the arrival of Japanese immigrant workers was jointly promoted by Japan and Peru. But life in this South American nation wasn't always easy for the new comers. Commonly known as Nikkei , these Japanese immigrants faced exploitation and discrimination. However, this resilient community ban...

El Canal de Panamá is one of the greatest works of engineering of the 20th century. Officially opened in 1914, the Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, allowing for safer passage for ships and reduced travel time. Given the strategic and commercial importance of the canal, its history is full of political intrigue and betrayals coupled with the tragic deaths of thousands of worke...

Don Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, better known as El Cid Campeador , is considered a national hero in Spain. El Cid (the name comes from the Arabic meaning 'my lord'), was an essential figure in the long fight against the invasion of the 'Moors' in the Iberian Peninsula. A nobleman, military leader, and popular folk hero, El Cid had a profound impact in Spain's history and literature. His life, during a...

El cuy , or guinea pig, is a small rodent from the Andes valued for its docile character, exquisite meat and healing properties. Rich in important nutrients, el cuy was raised by the Incas and played a significant role in Inca rituals and celebrations. These traditions continue to live on to our present day where its meat is regularly consumed and 'cuy cleanses' and healing rituals are commonly pr...

Equeco is the pre-Hispanic god of prosperity and abundance for the people of the Bolivia, Peru, and certain northern regions of Chile and Argentina. Represented as a short, stout, smiling man with a big mustache and carrying packages of food, money and other necessities, the Equeco can be found in many Andean houses where people bring offerings to the idol along with their petitions Tune in to our...

On New Year's Eve, people all across Spain and Latin America carry out curious traditions to welcome in the New Year. Burning paper dolls, eating grapes, wearing specific-color clothing or throwing water onto the street are some of the many rituals meant to rid yourself of any bad energies and conjure up good fortune for the New Year. Click play and learn all about  las tradiciones de fin de año !

This Christmas, we want to share with you some reflections from our founder on the true spirit of the holiday season.

'Cholito Jesús' is a Peruvian Christmas carol that perfectly encapsulates the cultural and religious syncretism of the region. This cheerful song reimagines the birth of Jesus in the heart of the Andes featuring staples of Peruvian culture like quinua, ponchos, charangos, and colorful knitwear. Click play to learn all about this special Christmas carol from Peru, just in time for the holidays!

In our collective imagination, the traditional Mexican woman often wears a white, embroidered blouse, long, colorful skirts with bright embellishments, and an ever-present shawl. In Mexico, this outfit is commonly known as 'china poblana' and -curiously enough- it can trace back its origins to an Asian woman and alleged princess. Upon her arrival in Puebla, Mexico, her colorful attires were soon r...

Every New Year's Eve people all over the Spanish-speaking world perform curious rituals, such as eating grapes, running with suitcases or wearing specific-color underwear, to start the new year with the right foot. While many of these traditions are common to all Latin-American countries, Mexico has its own particular rituals to attract joy, good fortune and prosperity, like gifting toy lambs, vis...

The f iesta del Takari is a special celebration from Tarímbaro, Michoacán, that perfectly exemplifies Mexico's religious syncretism by combining the seasonal agricultural rituals of the Purépecha people with the Catholic Christmas traditions of the Spanish people. Although preparations begin on December 15 with the procuring of the plant known as 'takari', the real celebration takes place between...

The bright red flower known as Poinsettia is a common sight during the Christmas holidays. However, not many people know that this flower comes from Mexico and that it held an important place in Aztec society. With the arrival of the Spanish missioners and the merging of native and catholic traditions, the Poinsettia quickly became a staple of Christmas decorations. Click play to hear the fascinat...

José Feliciano  is an internationally acclaimed musician, singer and composer from Puerto Rico. Although he's had numerous hits throughout his prosperous career, perhaps he's best known for his uber-popular holiday song "Feliz Navidad". This simple, but catchy tune combines English and Spanish to prove that the holiday spirit doesn't know about language barriers. Click play to learn all about José...

  Eydie Gormé  is an American singer of Sephardic origins who crossed the language borders performing both in English and Spanish. Although she had a prolific career performing solo or with with her husband, singer Steve Lawrence, she became better known across the Spanish-speaking world when she collaborated with the Trio Los Panchos in the 1960's. Click play & learn all about this remarkable sin...

What are you thankful for this year?"  That's the question on everybody's lips on Thanksgiving, a special day to reflect and appreciate our blessings, set aside our differences, and embrace our loved ones. Given the noble and welcoming spirit of this holiday, it's not surprising that immigrants across the US have adopted -and adapted- this American celebration as their own as well.   Click play to...

The fateful 'discovery' of the New World in 1492 altered the lives of million of people with both positive and negative consequences. One of the most positive and long-lasting effects of this encounter was the exchange of products and animals that would forever change the culinary traditions of the world. Coffee, rice, oranges, pork and chickens came over to the New World with the Spanish explorer...

Every November in the Estado Zulia, Venezuela, people celebrate la Feria de la Chinita . This popular religious celebration dates back to 1709 when an old lady witnessed a miracle involving la Virgen de Chiquinquirá. This festivity lasts several weeks during which people attend mass and religious processions, and enjoy traditional music, dancing and food. Click play to learn about this interesting...

Peruvian gastronomy has positioned itself as one of the best in the world. This cuisine stands out thanks to a unique fusion of exceptional local produce, ancestral pre-Hispanic culinary traditions, and ingredients and techniques brought over by Spanish, African, Chinese, Japanese, and Italian settlers over the years. With exquisite dishes and drinks like ceviche, Pisco Sour, causa limeña, ají de...

Cumbia is one of the most wide-spread musical genres across Latin America. It's sound, themes and even signature instruments can vary greatly from country to country. In Argentina, the Colombian cumbia merged with local rhythms like tango and chamamé -as well as the musical influences of Bolivian and Peruvian immigrants- to create several distinct varieties of unique Argentine cumbia. Click play t...