Eurovision 2010

Come every spring Spain is usually busy choosing it's contestant to the Eurovision contest and I always find myself rather fascinated with it. It was first held in Switzerland in 1956 to help pull back together Europe after so many wars and was set up by the European Broadcasting Union (like a European-wide PBS).

Now, to start with, Eurovision doesn't seem exactly confined to Europe, since participants include Russia, Israel, Turkey, Morocco, Georgia as well as most European countries. Although I guess you could dispute whether they are European or not. And other northern African countries are also welcome to join.

Each year, each country chooses its participant and song. Now of course, the song could not have been commercially or publicly broadcast beforehand other than during the selection process so you're never going to see great artists like U2 play there. Spain has chosen its participant on several occasions through Operación Triunfo, which is kind of like a mix between Big Brother and American Idol. Now popular request usually decides who is going to represent Spain.

During the contest there are semi finals and finals and this year 39 countries sang last night at the finals. You'd be amazed at all the talented people out there. And I really enjoy watching these European countries battle it out to the end, but in a peaceful and loving way. Nowadays viewers send text messages voting for their favorite songs (and obviously cannot vote for their own country) although in the past there was a panel.

Spain itself has only won once and tied another time although they have come in second place several times. Spaniards in general aren't as enthusiastic about the whole thing as, let's say, Swedes and more Eastern European countries. They claim that each country tends to vote for its neighbors or political allies, which would be a lot easier for the old Russian and Slavic states than for the Western-European ones.

However Spain has a history of choosing quacks and weirdos with whom the general public oddly enough feel identified. Such is the case with Spanish TV and movie stars who stand worlds apart from their exaggeratedly beautiful and wonderful American counterparts. But this year's artist was a really talented young man from Alcalá de Henares who frequently sings on the Gran Vía, Spain's version of Broadway. Although his song was more appropriate for a children's program, it was really well done and he dignifiedly represented Spain.

Spain's Participant

Eurovision Official Website
Eurovision on Wikipedia

Los Cerros Park in full bloom

Yesterday I went biking at my favorite park, Los Cerros, just south of Alcalá de Henares, heading south on M-300, crossing the Henares river and hanging a left. And it was wonderful! In full bloom!

Its almost 2,000 acres (800 hectares) were once home to Romans and Arabs but have since gone through wildfires, draughts, erosion and have even been used as a landfill. In 2000, the government decided to set this land aside and officially convert it into a "natural park." They started by filling it in with dirt and forming pathways and roads. The rest has since been replanted with holm oaks, pine trees, wild flowers and other bushes. In 2007, a nature center was built where people and students could find out more about local wildlife and an almond grove was planted in memory of the March 11, 2004 bombing victims.

I first went running at Los Cerros back in 2004 when it was still just a dump covered with dirt. Every time it rained, the garbage would rise up to the surface. But now the park is really coming into its own. There are bird houses hanging from the trees and picnic tables placed in the shade. The oldest trees in the park are probably not older than 50 years old, but they already attract a large range of animals including the storks that are usually seen around town.

Stark contrast of older trees to the right and baby pines to the left of this path.

Wild flowers with Alcalá de Henares in the back ground. You can see the Santos Niños Cathedral.

Wash ways were added where rain water usually flows. Here it's interrupted a path.

The almond grove in memory of the March 11, 2004 victims.

Young pine trees.

Red poppies under more almond trees lining the path.

Maps and more information (in Spanish) can be found at the city hall's website: http://www.ayto-alcaladehenares.es/template2.asp?cat_id=4017&mcat=1107&mcat_id=2&opt=m02_02_012&site_language=2

Free concerts at the University of Alcalá de Henares

I must admit that I probably fell in love with Alcalá de Henares because of the nightlife and college environment. But now that I'm pretty much over that phase, it's a really great cultural center with lots more to offer than long drunken nights.

This month, for example, a free concert is held each Saturday evening in the courtyard of one of the college buildings. Each concert features young adults studying classical music.

Last night I went with two friends to listen to a pianist and cello player play in the courtyard of the Humanities building off the Cervantes Plaza. The building in itself was built in 1610 and has served as the University archives and military barracks as well.

Like most places, there was an older audience for the most part. Some grandchildren were dragged along and they sat through the performance surprisingly well for a country that doesn't usually discipline its children. But I think it's a great shame that my generation doesn't show much interest in continuing these traditions. Especially here in Europe, where classical music was born and refined.

It was so inspiring and peaceful (although way too cold for the middle of May!) that it made for a great night. We then took a walk around the Cervantes Plaza and watched the storks settling into their nests on building roofs in the area. They were setting up a free rock concert for later that night and teenagers were practicing their gymnastic and free-styling skills.