Becoming Sevillana

Laughing in the face of failure: Fuckup Nights Sevilla

In recent years Seville has become host to many networking and startup events. I know this as a fact because I have helped organise a fair few of them, including EBE and Sevilla Startup Weekend*.

Last month, a new event took place at my coworking space workINcompany. Part stand-up, part networking event, FuckUp Nights puts the spotlight on several local entrepreneurs (or wannabes) who aren't afraid to admit they've royally bodged it at some point in their careers. With 7 minutes and 10 images, speakers wittily recount their mistakes, giving business hopefuls insights into how not to do things.

FuckUp Nights is an international initiative that started in Mexico City in 2012 and is now organised in more than 100 cities throughout the world.

Oct

Musical moments: Fuel Fandango

Like most of the bands I tend to like, Fuel Fandango is a wonderful fusion. Think electronic beats, flamenco, jazz and a dose of soul. The Cordoban duo started out in 2010, and have been a refreshing discovery for me as their music is very daring for Spanish indie, which usually sticks to the same tiresome formula: wistful voice, lucklastre lyrics and repetitive melodies. In fact, I can't usually make it to the end of a song (sorry Iván Ferreiro).

May

A serving of Sunday Soup: Seville's new local crowdfunding event

Something interesting is going to happen on 15 May at midday at the Cortijo del Alamillo (Alamillo park). Cultural association, SevillaUP, has cooked up Seville's first local crowdfunding event, which is part of the Sunday Soup global initiative.

So, how does it work? Anyone can go along to the event and will only have to part with €10. This contribution will go into a big pot to make a heftier sum that will be awarded to the most voted local project.

Apr

Sevilla Startup Weekend: Gastronomy and Tourism

We all know that Seville is a hotspot for gastronomy and tourism. That's why the Seville Startup organisers decided to create an edition to promote startups in this sector. This weekend, the Escuela Superior de Hostelería de Sevilla has opened their riverside headquarters to 70 hopefuls to present and develop their ideas over 54 hours. Thirty people gave their elevator pitches yesterday evening, of which 11 were chosen.

Apr

Tips for vegan diners in Seville

A few months ago my high school friend came to see me. It was a lovely experience, as we hadn't properly seen each other, let alone spent time together, for years. I was a little apprehensive about her visit, not for this fact, for something worse, you see, she's vegan.

Apr

Crisis Busters: Buenos días app

One of the most appealing differences between a coworking space and a conventional shared office is that you are exposed to professional beings who are generally open-minded, looking for new business ventures and constantly reinventing themselves. Take Álvaro and Marcos for example. Álvaro, AKA aro (as he signs his illustrations) is a creative bod who brightens up people's mornings with his SketchShooting Buenos Días project.

Mar

Indie capillita

To the untrained ear, this may just sound like a nice ditty but it is so much more than that. Pájaro, Andrés Herrera, is actually strumming two of Semana Santa's best known processional marchas, Amargura and Ione. Hardcore capillitas would probably disapprovingly sneer at such fusion, but it this mélange of indie and authenticity that fascinates me.

Andrés has played in many talented bands from Seville, including with the legendary rockero Silvio and is on the cusp of releasing a new album.

Mar

A letter to Al Andalus by Manu Sánchez

Since the recent rise of terrorism in Europe, there have been rumours that extremists want to take back Al Andalus. Below is the trailer for a programme presented by one of Andalusia's most famous comics, Manu Sánchez, explaining what "Al Andalus" means and why they wouldn't succeed in doing so.

When I first moved to Seville, I was pushed in the deep end when my then housemate invited me to a velá to see the humorist.

Feb

Musical moments: Triana

I'm quite surprised I have yet to introduce you to my favourite Andalusian group: Triana. Ask any young, "untypically-sevillano" sevillano about Triana and they will undoubtedly beam about them. Over forty years after their debut, this eclectic band still holds a place in the hearts of many.

Back in the day, Triana were ahead of their time. Spain was witnessing some drastic changes: it was the end of Franco's dictatorship and a democracy was being forced on the nation.

Feb

Crisis Busters: Ask Vicente

Socialising is the norm in Seville. If I really wanted, I could eat out for breakfast, lunch and dinner with different friends at different places every day of the week. Meeting with friends doesn't need to be penned in the diary weeks in advance and even when you do get together, you don't necessarily plan everything down to a tee. You set the time and a landmark and then depending on whether it is beer or coffee o'clock head to one type of establishment or another.

Becoming Sevillana

An English translator's experience of the Andalusian culture, food, and language.