English Language Broadcast

Forest fires have already devastated more than 25 thousand hectares in Spain during this year, according to the European Forest Fire Information System. And fire season is just starting. In Tarragona, 18000 people were confined due to a fire that began on Monday and which has wrecked more than 3000 hectares. And last week, a forest fire in Lleida was catalogued as a "sixth generation" fire due to its speed and intensity. In today's broadcast, we learn about forest fires, their causes and possible prevention mechanisms with professor Ruben Laina. And after that, a groundbreaking discovery could change the chemotherapy protocols for cancer patients. Researchers from the National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) have discovered biomarkers that predict which patients will not respond to cancer chemotherapy. Geoff Macyntire and Joe Thompson told us how this method works. Escuchar audio

On this broadcast we will learn about "A line drawn or printed: six routes through Madrid". Writer Jayne Marshall's debut essay and story collection. A physical and emotional journey through reinvention, adventure and meaning with Madrid as its background. Jayne joined us here in Casa de la Radio to tell us more! And after that, we learn about Inventaland, a summer camp where children can have fun while also learning about STEM. Expansion manager, Sol Martire, told us about it. Escuchar audio

One hundred years ago the "Regional Costume Exhibition" showcased almost 4000 pieces of clothing and 348 regional costumes. An extraordinary success that planted the seed for what is now Madrid's Museum of Costume. Now, the museum goes back to its roots with the exhibition "Raices: 100 años cambiando el patrón de nuestra historia" (Roots: 100 years changing the pattern of our history). We visited the exhibition and learnt more about the history of the museum with curator Laura Jiménez. Escuchar audio

In July of 1965, The Beatles came to Spain in spite of the Francoist dictatorship's less than favourable feelings towards the British quartet... they were called 'long-haired degenerates' by the press at the time. The government was terrified of Beatlemania infecting Spaniards, making The Beatles' performances in Spain an exciting affair, but with underlying tensions felt by both the Spanish fans, and The Beatles themselves. Escuchar audio

In 2024, two thirds of the Spanish population breathed polluted air that exceeded the new legal limits set in December of last year. This implies huge risks to health and wellbeing for Spanish society. Even though Spain actually improved its airquality compared to 2023 the pre-pandemic years, but with changing regulations and worsening climate, it still isn't enough. Today we have on the broadcast Juan Bárcena of Ecologistas en Acción, the group that publishes a yearly report on Spain's air quality. Today we'll also go back in time to The Beatles' first and only performances in Spain, which took place on the 2nd and 3rd of July in 1965. Escuchar audio

International LGBT+ Pride day is celebrated on the 28th of June, in remembrance of the Stonewall Riots. But Pride is celebrated all through the month of June, and in some areas of Spain, the marches take place well into July. This year, alongside Pride, in Spain we also celebrate an anniversary: for 20 years have passed since Spain legalized same sex marriage. Spain was in fact the third country in the world to make same sex marriage legal (after the Netherlands and Belgium) , and the first to include adoption in same-sex marriages. In today's program, we're going to look back at that huge step taken by Spain in 2005, with Diego Lázaro, diversity and inclusion consultant. Escuchar audio

For centuries, women who stood out or rebelled against the role assigned to them by society were feared, envied and persecuted. Many of them were even accused of being a witch. The comicbook "¿Es una bruja? Mitos, mentiras y realidades" (Is she a witch? Myths, lies and reality) takes us on a journey through history to learn about where these accusations were coming from and the impact they had. Author Raquel Gu joined us to tell us more about it. Escuchar audio

In today's broadcast, we talk about a woman from the dawn of the invention of the camera. It could be argued that Julia Margaret Cameron was one of the first people to see that photography could be more than what it at first set out to be... One of the first people to think of photography as an art. We talk to María Santoyo, director of the PhotoEspaña photography festival, about the nineteenth century British photographer, on ocassion of an installation of her works being shown at Madrid's Teatro Real. Just in time for the theatre's 2025-2026 season, which includes Shakespearean works. After that... We pivot from art to food, and learn about the best jamón in the world, according to the Taste Atlasonline travel guide for traditional food, Señorío de Montanera. We'll hear from Mariola Vallejo, the Señorío de Montanera's export manager. Escuchar audio

The city of Madrid has been the subject of plenty of changes in the last decades. Changes reflected in its distribution, its buildings, its streets and in its people. "Stray cats" a collection of essays and anecdotes reflects this evolution seen through the eyes of 17 long-term foreign residents. John Dapolito was in charge of bringing these stories together and he joined us here, in Casa de la Radio, to tell us about them. He was joined by two of the authors: Joseph Candora and James Dyson. Escuchar audio

Last week, a historic agreement was reached between Spain and the UK. The border between British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar on the southern-most tip of the Spanish Peninsula has caused more problems since the UK left the European Union. 15-thousand people cross that border every day, and since 2020, crossing it has been a daily hindrance for them. Spain's foreign Minister called the border between Spain and Gibraltar "The last wall of western Europe", a wall that will be coming down. In this broadcast, we are joined by Luis Rodrigo de Castro, International Law Professor at the CEU San Pablo to discuss the new agreement. Escuchar audio

In today's broadcast we tackle the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, and the US's perhaps shaky grip on the situation, with Alberto Coll, International Law Professor at the DePaul University in Chicago. This isn't the first conflict between Israel and Iran, but is is certainly one of the most explosive... It began with a surprise attack on Friday by Israel, one that targetted Iranian nuclear sites and the head of Iran's armed forces. How much of a surprise was it, and what does Israel hope to gain? Escuchar audio

There are thought to be around 750-thousand Roma people settled in Spain, although the true number is unknown. And there's a lot about the community that is unknown to the Spanish public at large. This is just one of the reasons why the Spanish Government chose 2025 to celebrate the 600th anniversaryof the arrival of the Roma community in the Iberian Peninsula. In this broadcast, we celebrate this anniversary with Rafael Saavedra, from the Secretariado GitanoFoundation, who joined us from our studio in Seville. Escuchar audio

This year's Madrid Book Fair takes on a trip to the Big Apple, New York. An encounter between two cities connected by a common language: Spanish. We join the celebration of the Spanish language in both sides of the Atlantic with a writer that represents this union. Born in Madrid, she migrated to New York and has been living, studying and writing there for 13 years. In this special broadcast from Madrid's book fair we speak with Sara Cordón about her experience and her work. Escuchar audio

Once again, the Retiro park in the heart of Madrid is hosting the yearly Book Fair. An unmissable date for all book lovers and for us! The special broadcast was recorded from the RNE stall in the park. Director Eva Orúe and head of programming Daniela Mercado joined us to tell us about this year's theme: New York and, particularly, literature in Spanish in the city. A language of connection that is alive in both side of the Atlantic. Three out of 10 residents speaks Spanish in New York and three of them joined us in a round table about writing in Spanish in New York. José del Valle, sociolinguist and filologist, professor at the City University of New York; Eduardo Lago, critic and translator, professor at the Sarah Lawrence College of New York; and I.L.B., researcher, writer and poet, professor in New York. Escuchar audio

Iconic, the latest production by the Madrid Players, takes us on a journey through the most iconic moments of pop culture in the last 60 years. A play to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the group. Directors Sarah Loxley, John Ruescas and Shiraz Engineer joined us in this broadcast to tell us more about it! Escuchar audio

This year World Ocean Day celebrates wonder. The wonders of the Ocean and the feeling of wonder that makes us explore, that pushes our curiosity and moves us to innovate, to expand our knowledge. In today's broadcast we speak with two organizations that are helping restore and preserve the wonders of the ocean. First we hear from Max Rota and Irene Gonzalo, from the Natural Art Reef Organization. And after that, we learn about Coral Soul, an association with the objective of preserving and restoring coral reefs, with Rafael Camacho. Escuchar audio

GREVIO, the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence has just released its 6th General Report covering the period from January to December of 2024. GREVIO is the group of experts in charge of monitoring the implementation of the Council of Europe convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, also known as the Istambul Convention, which came into force more than 10 years ago. President Maria-Andriani Kostopoulouwas kind enough to join us in this broadcast to tell us about the report. Escuchar audio

Emxys, a Valencian company, has been chosen by the European Space Agency, to build a satellite to study the approaching asteroid Apophis, which will come exeptionally close to the Earth in 2029. A mission framed in the Agency's strategy for space safety. CEO and co-founder of Emxys, Jose Carrasco, joined us to tell us more about the mission and their satellite. After that, we hear from Joan Matabosch, artistic director of Spain's Royal Theater, who tells us about their upcoming concert in Canergie Hall, "A musical fantasy from Spain". Escuchar audio

"Tariffs" has deffinitely become the word of the times. US president, Donald Trump, has been adamantly imposing tariffs on products from basically every country. And now, he has announced a 100% tariff on all foreign films. With this measure he hopes to help the American film industry. But what is behind this decision? And how could it affect the booming Spanish film industry? To answer this questions, we are joined by Juan Manuel Guimeráns, president of the Spanish Film Commission. Escuchar audio

American sociologist Douglas Massey has been awarded with the Princess of Asturias award for Social Sciences. The jury highlighed his "contributions in the understanding of international migration, residential segregation and social stratification". With over 40 years of career, he has published more than 20 books and hundreds of articles. His work has been fundamental to understanding how social networks, public policies, and the spatial distribution of cities shape migration flows and perpetuate inequality. He is currently a teacher in Princeton University and he joined in this broadcast. And after that, we hear from Miguel Marín, director of the Flamenco Festival London, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Escuchar audio