Spain Is Different

The slogan Spain is different was coined by Francisco Franco's dictatorial regime in the 1960s as part of its campaign to advertise Spain to its northern neighbors as an exotic tourist destination characterized by sunny beaches, siestas, flamenco, and bullfights. Today, many Spaniards use the phrase colloquially, not to celebrate their country's uniqueness, but rather to comment on its perceived backwardness in comparison to other industrialized countries. The evolving meaning of this slogan epitomizes Spain's sometimes contradictory efforts to maintain local traditions and values while aligning with broader European and global identities. These opposing forces of change and tradition are at the root of many of the economic, social, and cultural issues dividing public opinion in Spain today. In this course we will examine a few of the current debates around workers', women's, and animal rights through discussion of literature, cinema, and the media.