Portsmouth Hispanic Society

In late 2021 Margarita Molina published "Arquitecto de tu Casa", which was written during the pandemic and aimed to help people and families facing isolation during the Covid crisis. Margarita's new Spanish language book, "Mujer Venezolana", was published on 3^rd June 2025.

Margarita has announced a book launch to publicise the release of Mujer Venezolana. The event will be held on Saturday 16^th at 3pm in Southsea library. Come along to enjoy an afternoon of inspiration, live flute music, book signing, and copies of Mujer Venezolana available for purchase.

To contact Margarita for more information click here to send an email.

In late 2021 Margarita Molina published "Arquitecto de tu Casa", which was written during the pandemic and aimed to help people and families facing isolation during the Covid crisis. Margarita's new Spanish language book, "Mujer Venezolana", was published on 3^rd June 2025.

The author's preface below has been translated into English.

The story of every Venezuelan woman deserves to be told, because in every corner of Venezuela, and in every country the diaspora has taken us to, there are women leaving indelible marks with their work, their love, and their strength. This book is a tribute to them and a guide for those who search within themselves for the spark that will lead them to achieve their dreams. Each chapter is an invitation to discover the secrets that make these women an example to the world. In these pages, you will find inspiring stories, reflections, and life lessons that will invite you to value and celebrate the transformative power of Venezuelan women. For them, for us, for freedom

The book can be ordered from Amazon in book or Kindle format via Amazon.

Well, perhaps not a full evening of Spanish music. June's society meeting opened with the important business of the Annual General Meeting. After swiftly finishing that not so exciting process the focus of the evening shifted to Tom's guitar virtuosity.

Tom has performed for the society previously as part of the Tom and Ash duo. However, tonight's delivery was as a solo artist. The evening's performance included well known pieces of Spanish music and some of Tom's own compositions.

Society members can watch a recording of Tom's Performance by logging into the Member's Only page and selecting the video. To access the Member's Area click here.

At May's meeting the society welcomed Manuel Fonseca who gave an in-depth analysis of the life, achievements, and legacy of the South American revolutionary leader known as El Libertador. Manuel's presentation underlined Bolívar's passion for freedom and his desire to unite the diverse nations of the continent that led him to fight tirelessly for independence from Spanish colonial rule.

Society members can watch a recording of Manuel's presentation by logging into the Member's Only page and selecting the video. To access the Member's Area click here.

During his first term in office President Trump ordered the construction of a wall along the border between the United States and Mexico to prevent illegal immigration from the south. Having been re-elected for a second term the POTUS is once again focusing on illegal crossings from Mexico into the USA. May's News Item explores the current situation at the southern border.

Society members can watch a recording of the presentation by logging into the Member's Only page and selecting the video. To access the Member's Area click here.

If you believe that fake news is a new phenomenon then think again. During the mid 1500s both the Spanish and English were spinning lies about each other in what became known as The Black Legend. Kay's presentation unpicked the background of geopolitical and religious tensions that simmered between the countries leading to The Spanish Armada in 1588, whilst also revealing there were other lesser known Armadas. Katy has intensively researched this period of history, often accessing original documentation. A very insightful presentation covering an important period of England's history.

Society members can watch a recording of Katy's presentation by logging into the Member's Only page and selecting the video. To access the Member's Area click here.

Franco's legacy continues to exert an influence over Spanish society and politics. April's News Item explores the political turmoil this controversial figure is still generating fifty years after his death.

Society members can watch Mike's News Item by logging into the Member's Only page and selecting the video. To access the Member's Area click here.

February's meeting was launched into Interstellar Overdrive (oblique reference to Pink Floyd's 1966 album track) with a talk about the cosmos from a Hispanic perspective by Ana Sainz-de-Murieta. Ana is studying for a PhD at the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation at the University of Portsmouth, after graduating in Theoretical Physics from University College Dublin. Ana's talk introduced her current area of study before taking members on a journey through space, time, and culture from astronomy in early Latin American, through Muslim Andaluzia, Copernicus, and The European Space Agency. The presentation also reviewed research and discoveries from Spain and Chile before a Question and Answer session. The Q&A lasted a good 20 minutes, reflecting the audience's interest.

Society members can watch a recording of Ana's presentation by logging into the Member's Only page and selecting the video. To access the Member's Area click here.

The first meeting of 2025 was delivered over Zoom. David's presentation explored the influences of Spanish master painters over subsequent generations. For example, the Valazquez classic Las Meninas, painted in 1665, was etched by Goya in 1776 before Goya adopted Valazquez's technique when painting Carlos IV and the royal family in 1801. David's presentation traced Valazquez's influence into more modern times, for example Richard Hamilton's 1973 interpretation of Las Meninas.

David has made several presentations to the society. Each one is meticulously researched and delivered with a passion that reflects his interest in the topic.

Society members can watch a recording of David's presentation by logging into the Member's Only page and selecting the video. To access the Member's Area click here.

Unfortunately the presentation for November's meeting had to be changed at the last minute. Attendees were given the opportunity to select one of two Spanish themed documentaries. The Spanish Empire - The First Global Superpower, an FD Ancient History production, was selected. The documentary delivered a breakneck overview of Spanish History from the fall of the Roman Empire, through Moorish occupation, the Inquisition, colonisation of The New World, before finishing with an examination of the empire's decline.

The documentary can be viewed on YouTube by clicking here.

October's meeting was enraptured with Gloria Camino's talk about Machu Picchu. The lecture gave us an insight into the geographical and historical context in which the Incas developed, how and why they built Machu Picchu in such a spectacular location.

Society members can watch a recording of Gloria's presentation by logging into the Member's Only page and selecting the video. To access the Member's Area click here.

September's talk was given by Antonio Dueñas Pérez who was born and raised in Mexico City, has recently completed a degree in Ancient Mexican Civilisations and is an official Teotihuacan History Guide.

Society members can watch a recording of Antonio's presentation by logging into the Member's Only page and selecting the video. To access the Member's Area click here.

The 2024/5 season starts this week with the first meeting at the Fratton Community Centre and commencement of the society's Spanish language tuition schedule.

The society's language classes are led by a Spanish national with teaching qualifications and, compared to many other language tuition sources, are extremely good value.

An outline tuition timetable is displayed here. Click here to contact the society's Language Coordinator for more information.

Cristian wowed society members at the June AGM with a guitar masterclass.

He will be appearing at Purchases, 31 North Street, Chichester on Sunday 25th August at 2pm.

Society Member Recommendation

Former committee member and chairman Edward Hardy, aka Bruce, has contacted the society recommending a book covering the recent history of Spain. See Bruce's concise overview in the next paragraph.

I have just finished reading The Penguin History of Modern Spain by Nigel Townson. It is excellent. Anyone really interested in the period from 1898 to the early 2020s, and likes political history, should get a copy. The writer is a much published academic dealing with modern Spanish matters. He is acid in his criticism of writers whose personal, political commitments invade their objectivity. So there is bracing discussion of the Second Republic, the Civil War, the Franco regime, and modern prime ministers. Significant reassessment of things we thought we knew. The text runs to 462 pages plus notes and indexes. It really is worth the £14.99 price

Below is an extract of the book's summary from the Penguin website:
Drawing on over forty years of post-Franco scholarship, The Penguin History of Modern Spain transforms our knowledge of Spain and its politics, society, economics and culture. It interweaves cutting-edge Spanish-led research - never before published in English - and testimonies of peasants, housewives, soldiers, workers, entrepreneurs, feminists and worker-priests, for an original and surprising portrait, which allows us, at last, to discern the country behind the veil of propaganda and romantic myths which still endure today. Click here to visit the Penguin website for more information.

Please don't forget your local independent bookshop when considering buying a copy!