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  • 1
    day
    ago

    Spanish celebrate the Virgin del Rocio with pilgrimage

    Marcelo Del Pozo / Reuters

    Pilgrims run next to the shrine of El Rocio in Almonte, southern Spain, on May 18.

    Every spring, hundreds of thousands of devotees converge at a shrine to pay homage to the Virgin del Rocio during an annual pilgrimage that combines religious fervor and festive color. 

    Marcelo Del Pozo / Reuters

    A pilgrim lights a candle in the shrine of El Rocio in Almonte, southern Spain.

    Marcelo Del Pozo / Reuters

    Children dance and sing during the pilgrimage of El Rocio in Almonte.

    Marcelo Del Pozo / Reuters

    Pilgrims wait before taking part in a procession next to the shrine of El Rocio.

    Marcelo Del Pozo / Reuters

    A pilgrim is seen in a carriage during the pilgrimage of El Rocio.

    Marcelo Del Pozo / Reuters

    A pilgrim couple rides a horse next to the shrine of El Rocio.

    Marcelo Del Pozo / Reuters

    A pilgrim walks in the shrine of El Rocio.

     

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  • 18
    Apr
    2013
    12:32pm, EDT

    Famed breed of Spanish horses may be destined for butcher's block

    Laura Leon / AP

    A mare, a ''Pura Raza Espanola," or Pure Spanish Breed, runs next to the stable at "La Yeguada de Cuatro Vientos" ranch in Almonte, in southern Spain's Andalusia region on April 8. Barring an unlikely reprieve, the purebreds at this ranch will be turned into horse meat for export in the coming months.

    Laura Leon / AP

    A Pure Spanish Breed horse rears up inside a stable at La Yeguada de la Nobleza ranch in Almonte, Andalusia, Spain.

    By Alan Clendenning, The Associated Press

    The southern Spanish region of Andalusia, famed for flamenco and Moorish castles, is also home to a legendary breed of horses that carried conquistadors into battle in the Americas, featured in Hollywood epics and more recently became trophy acquisitions for Spaniards during a giddy economic boom.

    On his grassy ranch in the territory's heartland, 73-year-old Francisco Mesa breeds these ''Pura Raza Espanola" - Pure Spanish Breed - horses with a passion that comes from years of pampering the elegant beasts known for their intelligence and affection for humans. He enters a muddy pen and is immediately surrounded by mares and foals who nuzzle him with tenderness, oblivious of their almost certain fate: the slaughterhouse. 

    Barring an unlikely reprieve, Mesa' purebreds will be turned into horse meat for export come July. They are victims of a wrenching economic downturn that has wiped out fortunes, turned housing developments into ghost towns and left more than a quarter of the population out of work. Read more here 

    Laura Leon / AP

    Butcher Manuel Delgado prepares a piece of a ''Pura Raza Espanola,'' Pure Spanish Breed horse meat, at a horse meat butcher in Camas, Spain.

    Laura Leon / AP

    Breeder Francisco Mesa places his hand on the back of one of his Pure Spanish Breed horses at "La Yeguada de la Nobleza" ranch on April 8.

    Laura Leon / AP

    Sculptures of horse heads decorate the main entrance of "La Yeguada de Cuatro Vientos" ranch, belonging to breeder Francisco Jose Rodriguez, in Almonte, Andalusia, Spain, on April 8.

    Laura Leon / AP

    Pure Spanish Breed mares, belonging to breeder Francisco Jose Rodriguez, walk in a field at "La Yeguada de Cuatro Vientos" ranch in Almonte, Andalusia, Spain, on April 2.

    Laura Leon / AP

    A Pure Spanish Breed horse belonging to breeder Francisco Mesa at "La Yeguada de la Nobleza" in Almonte, Andalusia, Spain, on April 8.

    Previously on PhotoBlog:

    • Riders jump horses over flames to honor patron saint of animals in Spain
    • Just keep swimming, Shoshoni: A horse gets his exercise in Scotland's largest loch
    • Leading a horse to water in Gaza

     

    Follow @NBCNewsPictures

     

    45 comments

    Where are all the billionaires who could buy these horses as a 'minor' hobby to play with? Or the rock and movie stars who seem to have more money than they know what to do with?

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    Explore related topics: world-news, europe, featured, food, spain, horses, meat
  • 15
    Apr
    2013
    10:12pm, EDT

    Matadors take on bulls in Seville

    All images by Marcelo Del Pozo / Reuters

    Spanish matador Morante de la Puebla performs a pass to a bull during a bullfight at The Maestranza bullring in the Andalusian capital of Seville, Spain, April 15.

    Spanish picadores wait to get into the arena before the start of a bullfight.

    Marcelo Del Pozo / Reuters

    French matador Sebastian Castella prepares to perform a pass.

    French matador Sebastian Castella is tackled by a bull during a bullfight.

    Spanish matador Alejandro Talavante's hand bleeds after he was cut by his sword while killing a bull.

    A Spanish assistant bullfighter gives the 'coup de grace' with a dagger to a bull during a bullfight.

     

    9 comments

    Unnecessary blood and suffering...

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  • 9
    Apr
    2013
    12:03pm, EDT

    1950s star Sara Montiel remembered in Spain

    Daniel Ochoa De Olza / AP

    Mourners greet the hearse carrying the coffin of Sara Montiel, pictured, during a homage in downtown Madrid, on April 9 2013. Montiel, a famed, sultry-voiced Spanish actress who became the first to also achieve Hollywood stardom, died Monday. She was 85.

    GAB Archive via Getty Images, file

    Spanish artist Sara Montiel.

     

    Spanish film legend Sara Montiel, who featured in 1950s Hollywood films with the likes of Gary Cooper and smoked cigars with Ernest Hemingway, died on Monday at 85.

    Montiel, born Maria Antonia Abad, died at home in Madrid, according to Spanish actors' union AISGE.

    Continue reading.

    -- Reuters

    Juan Carlos Hidalgo / EPA

    Italian actor Giancarlo Viola, former partner of Spanish actress and singer Sara Montiel, embraces her coffin during her funeral at Sacramental de San Justo cemetery in Madrid on April 9, 2013.

    Follow @NBCNewsPictures

    Comment

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  • 25
    Mar
    2013
    11:29am, EDT

    Pride, penitence and Antonio Banderas: Spaniards mark Holy Week with colorful processions

    Emilio Morenatti / AP

    Hooded penitents from the La Paz brotherhood walk to the church to take part in a procession in Seville, Spain, on March 24, 2013.

    Christian believers around the world are marking the Holy Week of Easter in celebration of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. On Sunday, hundreds of processions were held in towns and cities across Spain.

    In his Palm Sunday service at the Vatican, Pope Francis appealed to the crowd to shun corruption and reach out to "the humble, the poor, the forgotten."

    Eloy Alonso / Reuters

    Women wearing traditional mantilla dresses smoke outside a church before taking part in the Brotherhood procession of "Los Estudiantes" (The Students) at the start of Holy Week in Oviedo, northern Spain, on March 24, 2013.

    Emilio Morenatti / AP

    "Costaleros" from "La Estrella" brotherhood, wait their turn to carry over their backs the portable dais platform which supports a statue of Jesus Christ during a procession in Seville on March 24, 2013.

    Marcelo Del Pozo / Reuters

    Penitents pass a man with a dog as they walk to a church before taking part in the procession of "La Paz" (Peace) brotherhood during Holy Week in the Andalusian capital of Seville, March 24, 2013.

    Jon Nazca / Reuters

    Film actor and director Antonio Banderas, second right, sings a song to the Virgin inside a church as he takes part as a penitent in the "Lagrimas and Favores" brotherhood in a Palm Sunday procession in Malaga on March 24, 2013.

    Cristina Quicler / AFP - Getty Images

    A penitent of the "La Paz" brotherhood holds a religious item with an image of the Virgin Mary as he takes part in a procession in Seville on March 24, 2013.

    Emilio Morenatti / AP

    A waiter tries to see from a window as the procession of "La Paz" brotherhood passes along a street in Seville on March 24, 2013.

    Eloy Alonso / Reuters

    Spanish legionnaires carry a statue of the Christ of the Mercy into church after the Palm Sunday procession of the "Estudiantes" brotherhood was suspended due to rain in Oviedo on March 24, 2013.

    Jon Nazca / Reuters

    A crying woman is comforted by fellow penitents inside a church where they took shelter from the rain during the "Lagrimas y Favores" (Tears and Favors) brotherhood Palm Sunday procession in Malaga on March 24, 2013.

    Jon Nazca / Reuters

    Penitents light their candles as they take part in the "Humildad" (Humility) brotherhood Palm Sunday procession in Malaga on March 24, 2013.

    Follow @NBCNewsPictures

     

    10 comments

    Interesting. Most people would throw rocks at the guys if they wore that outfit in the US but....interesting!

    Show more
    Explore related topics: world-news, europe, religion, featured, christian, spain, catholic, easter, malaga, holy-week, seville, oviedo
  • 19
    Mar
    2013
    12:34pm, EDT

    Mortgage protesters occupy bank in Barcelona

    Emilio Morenatti / AP

    Members of Mortgage Victims' Platform (PAH), occupy a bank branch during a protest to support neighbors who are facing evictions processes in Barcelona, Spain, on March 19. With 26 percent unemployment, Spain is struggling to emerge from its second recession in just over three years. Spain's borrowing costs have dropped in recent months with investors less wary since European authorities announced the country would be helped, if needed, to handle its debt.

    Emilio Morenatti / AP

    A member of Mortgage Victims' Platform (PAH) blows an air horn as he occupies, with others, a bank branch during a protest to support neighbors who are facing the eviction process in Barcelona, Spain, on March 19.

    Emilio Morenatti / AP

    Members of Mortgage Victims' Platform (PAH), occupy a bank branch during a protest to support neighbors who are facing evictions processes in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday March 19, 2013. With 26 percent unemployment, Spain is struggling to emerge from its second recession in just over three years.

     

    Follow @NBCNewsPictures

     

    Comment

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  • 27
    Feb
    2013
    3:30pm, EST

    Gustau Nacarino / Reuters

    Mobile devices industry gathers in Spain

    Silhouettes of visitors are seen at the App pavilion during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, Feb. 27, 2013. The congress, representing the interests of the worldwide mobile communications industry, takes place Feb. 25-28 in Barcelona.

    From the Mobile World Congress website:

    During the four days of Mobile World Congress, the 2013 conference program will highlight the impact of mobile on individuals and businesses – in developed and developing markets – across a range of industries. As always, the conference program will challenge and educate attendees, providing essential insights on the latest technological developments, market opportunities, next-generation services, and devices which are shaping mobile communications.

    Thought leaders and industry experts from the most influential companies within the expanding mobile value chain will be participating in more than 40 conference sessions at Mobile World Congress, from thought-provoking and visionary keynote presentations to interactive panel sessions, all addressing the most pressing topics in mobile.

    Comment

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  • 31
    Jan
    2013
    11:36pm, EST

    A backstage look at Flamenco fashion show in Spain

    Marcelo Del Pozo / Reuters

     

    Spanish model Marta Garcia, wearing a creation by Cristina Garcia, poses backstage during the International Flamenco Fashion Show (SIMOF) in the Andalusian capital of Seville January 31, 2013. The show will run until February 3.

    Marcelo Del Pozo / Reuters

    Models are seen backstage before the start of the International Flamenco Fashion Show.

    Marcelo Del Pozo / Reuters

    Spanish model Claudia Jimenez, wears a creation by Cristina Garcia and poses backstage.

    • More Photoblog from Spain

    1 comment

    Nice blog and nice collection, I Think We also learn from you and your blog because we also designing a blog..it related from fashion designers. Thanks & Regards Escort Madrid

    Show more
    Explore related topics: travel, fashion, spain, flamenco
  • 17
    Jan
    2013
    12:42pm, EST

    Gone to the dogs? San Anton church blesses pets

    Juan Medina / Reuters

    A priest blesses a dog outside San Anton church in Madrid on Jan. 17.

    Pedro Armestre / AFP - Getty Images

    A dog is blessed by a priest at the Church of San Anton in Madrid on Saint Anthony's Day.

    Daniel Ochoa De Olza / AP

    A dog looks over the back of a pew as people take part in a mass at San Anton Church in Madrid on Jan. 17.

    Hundreds of pet owners bring their animals to the Church of San Anton in Madrid to be blessed every year on the day of Saint Anthony, Spain's patron saint of domestic animals.

    Follow @NBCNewsPictures

    3 comments

    Having our companions blessed is anything but silly to those of us who love them and understand, as God's creatures, they are spirits living in bodies. Here in the U.S. these rites are performed on or around the Feast of Saint Francis.

    Show more
    Explore related topics: world-news, religion, spain, madrid, animal-tracks, saint-anthony
  • 17
    Jan
    2013
    12:42am, EST

    Riders jump horses over flames to honor patron saint of animals in Spain

    Pablo Blazquez Dominguez / Getty Images

    A man rides a horse through a bonfire on January 16 in San Bartolome de Pinares, Spain. In honor of San Anton, the patron saint of animals, horses are riden through the bonfires on the night before the official day of honoring animals in Spain.

    Daniel Ochoa De Olza / AP

    A man drinks wine near a bonfire in San Bartolome de Pinares, Spain.

    Pablo Blazquez Dominguez / Getty Images

    People ride horses through a bonfire in San Bartolome de Pinares.

    Pablo Blazquez Dominguez / Getty Images

    A child looks at a bonfire on January 16, 2013 in San Bartolome de Pinares

     

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  • 28
    Dec
    2012
    12:53pm, EST

    Food fight! Spanish town arms itself with eggs, flour for charity

    David Ramos / Getty Images

    Revelers take part in the battle of 'Enfarinats', a flour fight in celebration of the Els Enfarinats festival on December 28, in Ibi, Spain.

    Citizens of Ibi, Spain annually celebrate the Els Enfarinats festival with a battle using flour, eggs and firecrackers. The battle takes place between two groups, a group of married men called 'Els Enfarinats' which take the control of the village for one day, pronouncing ridiculous laws and fining the citizens that infringe them, and a group called 'La Oposicio' which try to restore order. At the end of the day the money collected from the fines is donated to charitable causes in the village. The festival has been celebrated since 1981 after the town of Ibi recovered the 200-year-old tradition.

    -- Getty Images

     

    Alberto Saiz / AP

    Revelers take part in festival of Els Enfarinats, in the town of Ibi near Alicante, Spain, on Dec. 28.

    David Ramos / Getty Images

    Revelers walk toward the battle of 'Enfarinats', a flour fight in celebration of the Els Enfarinats festival, on Dec. 28, in Ibi, Spain.

    Alberto Saiz / AP

    A reveler takes part in festival of Els Enfarinats, in the town of Ibi near Alicante, Spain, on Dec. 28.

    Morell / EPA

    People enjoy the traditional 'Els Enfarinats' battle at Ibi in Alicante, eastern Spain, on Dec. 28.

    David Ramos / Getty Images

    A reveler smokes during the battle of 'Enfarinats', a flour fight in celebration of the Els Enfarinats festival on Dec. 28, in Ibi, Spain.

    Alberto Saiz / AP

    Revelers take part in festival of Els Enfarinats, in the town of Ibi near Alicante, Spain, on Dec. 28.

    David Ramos / Getty Images

    Revelers take part in the battle of 'Enfarinats', a flour fight in celebration of the Els Enfarinats festival on Dec. 28, in Ibi, Spain.

    Follow @NBCNewsPictures

     

    5 comments

    In agreement with Bob W. All that flour and all those eggs could have certainly been donated to their local food bank or homeless shelter. Such a waste.

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  • 22
    Dec
    2012
    2:22pm, EST

    Fernando Villar / EPA

    Residents of Alcala de Henares, a suburb of Madrid, Spain, react when their number is called as the 4-million-euro jackpot in the Spanish National Lottery on Dec. 22. The world's biggest lottery dished out prizes worth 2.5 billion euros (3.4 billion dollars).

    Working-class neighborhood in Madrid wins 'El Gordo' lottery

    Winning in 2012 was particularly sweet, not just because Spain is suffering its second recession in three years and one in four of the workforce is jobless, but also because 2012 is the last year winners will pay no tax on their takings.

    Spain's centre-right government, which has introduced austerity measures this year to shrink its public deficit, ruled that from next year those who win over 2,500 euros will pay 20 percent to the state.

    -- Reported by Reuters

    Read the full story.

    1 comment

    Now that is an impressive amount of money to win in a lottery! Good for them,not having to pay taxes!However, if I were the winners, I would make sure to go some place safe, so they don't become a target for criminals. And definitely hire some bodyguards:)

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