Welcome to the Official website of The Hispanic Society of Scotland

About US

The Hispanic Society of Scotland traces its origins back to 1917 when economic ties linked the city of Glasgow to businesses in Latin America and Spain. Its lengthy history is a testimony of its resilience as the Society has continued to be active for over a hundred years, although in recent times a shift in focus has concentrated on more cultural interests.

The Society exists nowadays as a platform to promote the diversity of languages and cultures in the Hispanic world. Its main activity is to organise monthly presentations, delivered in Spanish, on any topic of relevance to Spanish or Latin American language, culture or society, and to provide an opportunity for discussion afterwards in a relaxed social setting.

About this blog

This blog will be updated regularly to keep subscribers informed of recent and upcoming events.

UPCOMING EVENTS – Ciclo 2025 -26

The Hispanic Society of Scotland presents “Historia de dos ciudades” with the infamous Glasgow and Sunday Herald columnist, Tom Shields, who will share his life experience from the times he immersed himself in the Catalan culture and language, and his good friend, Martí Emelianov Cubides, visiting from Barcelona, who “survived” a full year living in Glasgow.

This event will take place on Thursday, 18th June at 6pm in GH514

Graham Hills building on 50 Richmond Street.

Alternative entry via 40 George Street. Glasgow.

HSoS members and Strathclyde University students have free entry.

If you would like to become a member or simply attend as a visitor, please send an email to hispanicsocietyofscotland@gmail.com

Visitors’s fee is £5 (cash) or £5.50 (card).

We will be delighted to see you.

RECENT EVENTS – Ciclo 2025 -26

The Hispanic Society of Scotland presents “La voz imaginada: historia musical de “Pequeño vals vienés de Federico García Lorca” by Dr Raquel Martínez Martín.

En esta presentación, la Dra. Raquel Martínez Martín explorará cómo la voz del poeta Federico García Lorca, desconocida a día de hoy, ha sido activada y reimaginada a través de su interpretación musical. Tomando como eje el poema “Pequeño vals vienés” (Poeta en Nueva York), Raquel propone un viaje sonoro en el que, desde la célebre versión de Leonard Cohen, diferentes artistas han empleado sus propias voces para dar nueva vida al poema. Lejos de entender estas versiones como intentos de reproducir una voz originaria perdida, se pueden interpretar como espacios de resonancia en los que la voz de Lorca se reinscribe históricamente a través de otras voces que han mantenido viva, a través del canto, la presencia pública de su vida, su figura política y su obra.

This event will take place on Friday, 21st May at 6pm in GH514

Graham Hills building on 50 Richmond Street.

Alternative entry via 40 George Street. Glasgow.

HSoS members and Strathclyde University students have free entry.

If you would like to become a member or simply attend as a visitor, please send an email to hispanicsocietyofscotland@gmail.com

Visitors’s fee is £5 (cash) or £5.50 (card).

We will be delighted to see you.

The Hispanic Society of Scotland presents “En busca de Don Juan” by John Gillies.

This event will take place on Friday, 24th April at 6pm in GH514

Graham Hills building on 50 Richmond Street.

Alternative entry via 40 George Street. Glasgow.

HSoS members and Strathclyde University students have free entry.

If you would like to become a member or simply attend as a visitor, please send an email to hispanicsocietyofscotland@gmail.com

Visitors’s fee is £5 (cash) or £5.50 (card).

We will be delighted to see you.

The Hispanic Society of Scotland presenta “Viaje por la poesía de Latinoamérica” de la mano de Rubén Romero.

This event will take place on Thursday, 19th March at 6pm in GH514

Graham Hills building on 50 Richmond Street.

Alternative entry via 40 George Street. Glasgow.

HSoS members and Strathclyde University students have free entry.

If you would like to become a member or simply attend as a visitor, please send an email to hispanicsocietyofscotland@gmail.com

Visitors’s fee is £5 (cash) or £5.50 (card).

We will be delighted to see you.

The Hispanic Society of Scotland presenta “Castigo a la osadía: la revolución que no fue de Santiago de Cuba en 1836“.

En 1836, Santiago de Cuba se sacudió. Lo que nació como un pronunciamiento militar a favor de la Constitución se desbordó en una auténtica fiesta de libertad, donde una multitud de hombres y mujeres, blancos, negros y pardos, unió sus voces para reclamar derechos políticos y libertades civiles. Pero la respuesta de las autoridades habaneras fue implacable. Este trabajo rescata la historia de esta revolución fracasada a través del extraordinario caso de Candelario Villafaña, un mulato libre, brutalmente castigado por la “osadía” de desafiar el orden establecido.

Yaimara Izaguirre es investigadora de la Casa de Altos Estudios ‘Don Fernando Ortiz’ de la Universidad de La Habana y directora del equipo en La Habana del proyecto “Havana’s Royal Prison Logbooks (1836-98): digitisation, preservation and dissemination” (EAP1676), del programa Endangered Archives de la Biblioteca Británica. Especialista en la historia de Cuba del siglo XIX, su investigación estudia las complejas estrategias de resistencia, supervivencia y adaptación de hombres y mujeres afrocubanos —libres y esclavizados— en la Cuba colonial española, revelando las tensiones de una sociedad que transitaba difícilmente hacia el trabajo libre.

Jesús Sanjurjo es profesor de Historia del Mundo Atlántico en la Universidad de Strathclyde en Glasgow y académico de número de la Royal Historical Society. Su investigación examina las intersecciones entre la política radical, la violencia de Estado y los sistemas de control social en el imperio español durante los siglos XVIII y XIX. Su trabajo se centra en el análisis de las instituciones de coerción, incluyendo la esclavitud, la trata de seres humanos y los sistemas carcelarios— y su relación con las jerarquías raciales y de clase. Es autor del libro “Con la sangre de nuestros hermanos” (2021, 2023), por el que fue finalista del prestigioso Paul E. Lovejoy Prize.

This event will take place on Wednesday, 25th February at 6pm in GH514

(Graham Hills building on 50 Richmond Street. Alternative entry via 40 George Street. Glasgow).

HSoS members and Strathclyde University students have free entry.

If you would like to attend, please register by email at hispanicsocietyofscotland@gmail.com

Visitors’s fee is £5 (cash) or £5.50 (card).

We will be delighted to see you.

The Hispanic Society of Scotland presents “Canciones desde una isla desierta“.

Following the format of the legendary radio programme “Desert Island”, our guest speakers, Liam Kane and Phil Allan, will be discussing the importance of their choice of songs and performing their repertoire in what promises to be a night to remember.

This event will take place on Tuesday, 20th January at 6pm in GH514 (Graham Hills building on 50 Richmond Street. Alternative entry via 40 George Street. Glasgow).

HSoS members and Strathclyde University students have free entry.

Visitors’s fee is £5 (cash) or £5.50 (card).

If you would like to attend, please register by email at hispanicsocietyofscotland@gmail.com

We will be delighted to see you.

Film screening The Day of the Beast (El Día de la Bestia)

Join us for a special evening of dark comedy as we screen this Spanish 30 year old classic on Monday, 15th December at 19:00.

University of Strathclyde – Royal College Building Room 345 –

Entrance via 75 Montrose Street (James Weir building)

This film will be introduced by Rafael Cueto, Director of Cinemaatic, supporters of this event.

Synopsis

Writer/director Álex de la Iglesia delivered the international smash that remains one of the best horror comedies of our time.

When a rogue priest (Álex Angulo) discovers the exact date The Antichrist will be born, he’ll enlist a Death Metal record store clerk (Santiago Segura) and a cheesy TV psychic (Armando De Razza) for an urban spree of “gore, sacrilege and twisted humor” to prevent the Apocalypse by summoning Satan himself. Terele Pávez (800 BULLETS) co-stars in this “classic of modern Spanish cinema” (Screen Anarchy) – winner of 6 Goya Awards including Best Director.

Register and get your ticket at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/film-screening-the-day-of-the-beast-el-dia-de-la-bestia-tickets-1977195448812?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

In conversation with Pablo Fantova Ullod, author of Los ojos tras la montaña, who will provide an insight into his book which recreates the story of Casa Puértolas in Los Molinos, a village located in a remote area of the Aragonese Pyrenees, spanning the 20th century and three generations of the family.

María, the heiress to the house, must face a time of social, political, and technological change: from the days when “the isolated location allowed no model beyond self-sufficiency,” to the timid arrival of electricity, through the Civil War, the resistance movements of the maquis, the harshness of the postwar period, urban development, the transition to democracy, and the gradual abandonment of rural life — which brought an end to an ancestral way of living.

The author will help us discover the wisdom passed down through generations and the legacy of a way of life deeply connected to nature. With a blend of magic and tragic realism, this novel bears witness to a collective memory that refuses to be forgotten.

This talk will be held on Tuesday, 2nd December at 6pm in GH514 (Graham Hills building on 50 Richmond Street. Alternative entry via 40 George Street. Glasgow).

Members and Strathclyde University students have free entry.

Visitors’s fee is £5 (cash) or £5.50 (card).

If you would like to attend, please email us at hispanicsocietyofscotland@gmail.com

We will be delighted to see you.

On Friday, 21st November a couple of old friends, Liam Kane (former Senior Lecturer in Adult Education) and Eddie Morrison (former language teacher and Head Teacher), will be on stage sharing their use of dramatization as a powerful tool in language teaching.

This talk will be held in GH514 (Graham Hills building on 50 Richmond Street. Alternative entry via 40 George Street. Glasgow).

Members and Strathclyde University students have free entry. Visitors’s fee is £5 (cash) or £5.50 (card).

If you would like to attend, please email us at hispanicsocietyofscotland@gmail.com

We will be delighted to see you.

In memory of our former President, John McIntyre, an inspirational teacher and dedicated Hispanist.

23rd February 1941 – 10th November 2025

Join us on Thursday, 30th October at 6pm for an insight into the life and work of one of the greatest poets and playwriters of the twentieth century, Miguel Hernández.

This talk will be held in GH514 (Graham Hills building on 50 Richmond Street. Alternative entry via George Street. Glasgow).

If you would like to attend, please email us at hispanicsocietyofscotland@gmail.com

We will be delighted to see you.

Jueves, 16 octubre 18:30 / Thursday, 16 October 18:30pm

University of Strathclyde – Royal College Building

(Access to Royal College room 345 through James Weir building on 75 Montrose St, Glasgow G1 1XJ).

La Infiltrada / Undercover (University of Strathclyde – Glasgow)

Carolina Yuste, Luis Tosar, Iñigo Gastesi, Diego Anido I Dir: Arantxa Echevarría

2024 I Cert: 15 I 118 mins

Thriller

By Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival

Basada en una historia real, La infiltrada sigue la historia de Aranzazu Berradre Marín, seudónimo de la única agente de policía, en la historia de España, que se infiltró con éxito en el grupo terrorista nacionalista vasco ETA. Mientras va de incógnita, de repente, ocurre lo inimaginable: ETA se pone en contacto con ella para pedirle que sea cómplice en la preparación de unos atentados. Lo que sigue es una experiencia para la que nadie podría haberla preparado.

La película aborda estos temas difíciles y polémicos en toda su complejidad, explorando tanto la historia política del grupo terrorista como el sacrificio de esta mujer y su papel en el desmantelamiento de este.

Advertencias: Contiene escenas que retratan asesinatos, violencia física y verbal, misoginia verbal y angustia emocional fuerte.

Película con subtítulos descriptivos

Presentada por Raquel Martínez Martín.

Evento organizado por The Hispanic Society of Scotland.

Acceso al tráiler / Click to watch trailer

Compra tu entrada aquí / Get tickets here

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/undercover-university-of-strathclyde-glasgow-tickets-1628940427669?aff=oddtdtcreator

Based on the real-life story of Aranzazu Berradre Marín, the pseudonym for the only police officer in Spanish history to successfully infiltrate ETA, the Basque-nationalist terrorist group. As she lurks in the group’s affiliated circles, the protagonist is suddenly contacted by ETA, requesting her to be an accomplice in the preparation of the upcoming attacks. What ensues is an experience nobody could have prepared her for, and the film undertakes these complex, polemic issues, exploring both the political history of the terrorist group and this woman’s personal sacrifice as she helped to dismantle them.

Trigger warnings: Contains scenes depicting murder, physical and verbal violence, verbal misogyny and strong emotional distress.

Screening with Descriptive Subtitles

Introduced by Raquel Martínez Martín.

Organised by The Hispanic Society of Scotland.

The Hispanic Society of Scotland presents the exhibition An inner journey, Scotland by photographer Sergio Romero, at the Jacques Tati Gallery of the Institut Français d’Écosse from 19 September to 3 October 2025.

This photographic series was created by Sergio Romero over many years of travelling through the Scottish landscape. The images that make up the project invite viewers to delve into their own inner world through a journey across the raw and awe-inspiring nature of Scotland. The connection between the external landscape and the viewer’s inner universe emerges through the contemplation of dreamlike and poetic forms that open the way to a space as real as it is imagined.

This unique and striking Scottish landscape awakens in the artist a deeply personal vision, far removed from any touristic perspective. It is a landscape offered as a metaphor, unfolding natural elements of great spiritual intensity that resonate individually with each visitor.

Opening: 19 September at 5:30 pm.

If you would like to attend the Opening on Friday, 19th September, please register here

Entry is free, but places are limited.

Photos at the Opening ceremony by Lorena González Barrera

Our first event of this season will be held on Tuesday, 16th September at 6pm in GH514 (Graham Hills building on 50 Richmond Street. Alternative entry via George Street. Glasgow).

We are giving the floor to our previous president and Spanish teacher, John McIntyre, who will be in conversation with Victoria Reina Gil talking about the magic of Spanish words.

If you would like to attend, please email us at hispanicsocietyofscotland@gmail.com

We will be delighted to see you.

PAST EVENTS – Ciclo 2024-25

Desde una perspectiva lingüística y pragmática, la charla a cargo de Mónica Legazpi Iglesias, profesora de la Universidad de Glagsow, explorará la situación del uso y abuso de los anglicismos en español. Se observarán los contextos comunicativos en los que abundan los anglicismos así como las posibles diferencias según variedades lingüísticas. Asimismo se delinearán los posibles límites entre abuso de anglicismos y Spanglish.

Si quieres ser parte de la audiencia, acompáñanos el jueves, 12 de junio a las 5.30 en el edificio Graham Hills– Sala 514 situada en la Universidad de Strathclyde, 50 Richmond Street, Glasgow.

Si no eres socio/a de la Hispanic Society of Scotland, la entrada al evento cuesta £5 a abonar en efectivo.

Tras la charla, disfrutaremos de nuestro tradicional tapeo y copa.

Para registrarse, envíanos un email a hispanicsocietyofscotland@gmail.com

Para conmemorar la transición democrática en España y reflexionar sobre el
futuro de la democracia a nivel global, contaremos con Óliver Escobar, Catedrático de Políticas Públicas e Innovación Democrática en la Universidad de Edimburgo.

Si quieres ser parte de la audiencia, acompáñanos el martes, 3 de junio a las 5.30 en el edificio Learning and Teaching – Sala 325 situada en la Universidad de Strathclyde, 49 Richmond Street, Glasgow.

Si no eres socio/a de la Hispanic Society of Scotland, la entrada al evento cuesta £5 a abonar en efectivo.

Tras la charla, disfrutaremos de nuestro tradicional tapeo y copa.

Para registrarse, envíanos un email a hispanicsocietyofscotland@gmail.com

El catedrático Oliver Escobar con el cónsul general de España, Santiago Miralles Huete y la presidenta de la Hispanic Society of Scotland, Victoria Reina Gil.

https://x.com/CGEspEdimburgo/status/1930218271329956087/photo/1

Tras un periodo de auge imparable, el lucrativo sector español de la construcción se paralizó debido a la falta de crédito que siguió a la crisis financiera de 2008. En su presentación, la Dra. Raquel Martínez Martín analizará la representación de las “ruinas de la crisis”, incidiendo en cómo el cine español ha retratado la construcción y posterior abandono de estos edificios, que permanecieron inacabados tras el estallido de la burbuja inmobiliaria.

Si quieres ser parte de la audiencia, acompáñanos el jueves, 22 de mayo a las 5.30 en el edificio Learning and Teaching – Sala 325 situada en la Universidad de Strathclyde, 49 Richmond Street, Glasgow.

Tras la charla, disfrutaremos de nuestro tradicional tapeo y copa.

Para registrarse, envíanos un email a hispanicsocietyofscotland@gmail.com

Raquel Martínez Martín y Victoria Reina Gil

En 1937 España andaba sumida en una devastadora guerra civil. Fueron muchos los activistas extranjeros que abandonaron su país natal para ayudar a la causa republicana, entre ellos, Ethel MacDonald, una mujer escocesa y anarquista, que utilizaría su voz para informar en sus retransmisiones radiofónicas desde Barcelona de los últimos acontecimientos.

Para profundizar en su historia y legado contamos con Chris Dolan, autor de ‘An Anarchist’s Story: Ethel MacDonald’.

Si quieres ser parte de la audiencia, acompáñanos el jueves, 24 de abril a las 5.30 en el edificio Learning and Teaching – Sala 325 situada en la Universidad de Strathclyde, 49 Richmond Street, Glasgow.

Tras la charla, disfrutaremos de nuestro tradicional tapeo y copa.

Para registrarse, envía un email a hispanicsocietyofscotland@gmail.com

Entre los años ochenta y noventa del siglo pasado España sufre una transformación vertiginosa en sus modos de vida y costumbres que abarcó desde el medio rural hasta las urbes más populosas pasando por los espacios más íntimos y personales. En esta presentación daremos a conocer a tres autores del medio fotográfico que con una mirada nueva documentaron y participaron de esos cambios haciendo de sus imágenes un testimonio de un valor incalculable.

Pero estas fotografías tienen algo más, intentaremos desvelarlo.

Si te interesa, acompáñanos el jueves, 20 de marzo a las 5.30 en el edificio Learning and Teaching – Sala 325 situada en la Universidad de Strathclyde, 49 Richmond Street, Glasgow.

Tras la charla, disfrutaremos de nuesto tradicional tapeo y copa.

Para registrase, envía un email a hispanicsocietyofscotland@gmail.com

PS – Fe de errata: El apellido correcto de Cristina es García Rodero.

February brings us Dr Rhiannon McGlade who will talk about the history of graphical satire in Spain in order to discuss the value of this material for learning about key avatars in Spain’s history in the XIX and XX century.

Please come along on Friday, 21st February at 5.30pm in the Learning and Teaching building – Room 325 located on 49 Richmond Street, Glasgow.

The talk will be followed by a social with “tapeo”.

To join us please email hispanicsocietyofscotland@gmail.com

January brings us another exciting talk. This time we will learn about a historical character of great relevance in Spain in the XV century.

On this occasion, Oscar Mendoza will introduce us to Cardenal Mendoza on Tuesday, 28th January at 5.30pm in our new venue, the Learning and Teaching building – Room 325 located on 49 Richmond Street, Glasgow.

The talk will be followed by a social with “tapeo”.

To join us please email

hispanicsocietyofscotland@gmail.com

December brings us an insight into the legend of Joaquin Murrieta (c. 1829 – July 25, 1853), also called Robin Hood of El Dorado by John Gillies.

This presentation will throw some light into the life and deeds of this often described as an outlaw of the California Gold Rush era.

If you missed this talk, you can read more at https://www.history.com/news/joaquin-murrieta-california-outlaw-life-legend-head

November brings us a very exciting presentation by Dr Soledad Montañez, Lecturer in Spanish (Hispanic Studies) at the University of Glasgow. Her talk “Invisibilidad descentralizada: La comunidad latinoamericana en Escocia” will address the research gap around Latin American communities in Scotland by focusing on the experiences and identities of first-generation Latin American migrants who have settled here in the twenty-first century. The presentation will explore Latin American migration and the cultural histories and heritages these communities bring to Scotland.

We have invited Mirella Martínez, an Art teacher and Artist to lead an Art workshop in Spanish on Wednesday, 13th November. During this workshop you will not only speak Spanish but also awaken your creative side and take home something you may want to frame. Please notice you do not need any artistic abilities to participate. I can assure you this will be a relaxing and fun experience.

And it was. Here is some of the art work…

Friday, 25th October at 17.30pm

For Black History Month we welcome Dr Jesús Sanjurjo who will help us unravel the history of the ideological, political and diplomatic battle fought across the Atlantic for the abolition of the slave trade in Spain’s Atlantic empire.

McCance 301 – University of Strathclyde

We are giving the floor to Eddie Mullen, who will be sharing fascinating information on the existence of The Hispanic Society of Scotland since it was founded more than a hundred years ago. After the talk, there will be a chance to chat and raise a glass to toast the next hundred years of The Hispanic Society of Scotland.