On Friday 12 February 2016, the Natolin Campus of the College of Europe hosted the Spanish National Day. The aim of the event was to allow students and staff to familiarize themselves with Spanish culture, language and cuisine.
The experience began already on Wednesday with a wine tasting hosted by "Bodegas Campo Viejo", where students could enjoy a range of Rioja wines. Thursday was devoted to Spanish film-making, when "Mujeres al Borde de un ataque de Nervios" (Women on the verge of a nervous breakdown) was screened. This film was the first blockbuster by Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, and it depicts an entertaining and witty portrait of Spanish society and its transition to democracy during the 1980s.
On Friday, the schedule included a high level talk with Mr Fernando NOGALES ÁLVAREZ, Deputy Head of Mission of the Spanish Embassy to Poland. Mr NOGALES presented an overview of the 30 years of Spanish EU membership. After that, he kindly answered the questions of the students, which touched upon current challenges for Spain in areas such as migration, economic crisis or gender equality.
During the evening there was a talk hosted by Ms Aleksandra KOSMOWSKA, of Solingua Spanish School, who discussed about professional perspectives for students and speakers of Spanish as a second language. At the end of the evening, there was a lottery for a free one-week course of Spanish in Benalmádena, Spain, won by a student of the College. All Friday activities were accompanied by Spanish cuisine and music.
The students in charge of organising the Spanish National Day would like to thank the College administration and kitchen staff for their help and their outstanding work, thanks to which all the Natolin community could enjoy a whole day of Spanish culture.