In case any of our readers are intrigued by the process that goes into generating three editions of this Bulletin each year, we decided that in this edition we would open the lid to allow sight of some of the workings. If this exercise proves worthwhile (we get statistics on the number of hits on each page…), we can make it a regular feature. And by way of enticement for this first such communication, we have a special message for you further down… read on.
After each edition of the Bulletin is launched, there is a period of 10-12 weeks of calm when we busy boletineros get on with our other projects – although the Senior Editor’s antennae remain attuned 24-hours a day to any stories emerging from the Spanish-speaking world that may potentially be of interest to our readership. Then about a month before the deadline for submissions, the editors meet online to discuss ideas for the contents list of the next edition, looking to ensure the right mix of culture, history, current affairs, etc, and a good geographical spread.
Even before the US raid on Maduro, Venezuela was going to feature in our Spring 2026 edition, given the interest generated in the UK by the Michael Palin TV documentary and accompanying In Venezuela travel journal on display in UK bookshops.
As a thrice yearly publication we don’t do news reporting, but the US intervention on 3 January 2026 opened up three distinct lines of analysis, all of which deserved coverage. Added freshness of perspective was achieved by (Professor of Film and Literature) Stephen Hart taking on the geopolitical dimension, and (ex-diplomat) Robin Wallis identifying an unexpected García Márquez angle to the Palin project. Our Latin America editor Clara Riveros’ conversation with Venezuelan expert Andrés Cañizález gives just the kind of on-the-ground expert insight that we were hoping to include.
One enriching aspect of the Bulletin is its sense of history, which adds a temporal dimension to our appreciation of the Spanish-speaking world. In this edition William Chislett reminds us that the freedom celebrated in 2025 (Spain’s 50th year since Franco) was not actually secured at the time of the dictator’s death. William is well placed to provide such insights, because he was there.
The aftermath of our 2025 Essay Competition continues to inspire student submissions for publication. We are delighted to encourage a new generation of hispanists to express themselves in print, and duly decided to spread the eight best offerings across this Spring edition and also the Summer edition, due out in May. With the competitive aspect out of the way, our editors have been able to work with student authors to help them produce top-quality drafts for publication.
Just before launching this edition, we decided to bring forward an article by our Production Editor Simon Butler, originally slated for the Summer but now broadening out the range of topics covered in the Spring. New to Role Playing Games? Check out Simon’s article to discover the insights these can offer into the history and culture of the Spanish-speaking world.
Our Summer edition will include reflections on the feuds that fatally weakened the Republican camp in the Spanish Civil War, cholera in Peru, Basque identity, and the Costa Rican path to happiness. We would love an article about Rosalía, but haven’t yet found an author.
Now for the ‘special message’ mentioned above, from our founding editors. It’s a chance for you to help us – for which we would be grateful! They say:
“Working on the Bulletin is a great way to expand one’s knowledge and meet new people in the hispanophile community, while also promoting interest in this most fulfilling of academic subjects. The Bulletin is now in its ninth year, and the time has come to plan for our Senior Editor to hand over to a successor, in the next year or so. Perhaps you, valued reader, might know someone who would enjoy taking on that role? Perhaps you yourself would find it inspiring to do so? The position might suit a teacher, lecturer, journalist, tour guide or diplomat scaling back on their workload, a graduate looking to expand into publishing, or a technological wizard able to harness virtual resources to facilitate the editorial process.”
To share your ideas on this, or any other matter, you’re welcome to get in touch via the Contact Us button or our email address – bulletinofadvancedspanish@gmail.com . We’d be delighted to hear from you.
Finally: in November 2025 six of our editorial team were pictured (see top of page) at the Spanish Ambassador’s Residence: from left to right, Helen Laurenson, Alfredo Benito, Francisco Compán, William Chislett, Robin Wallis and Serena Thandi. The occasion was a ‘conversation’ between William and Michael Portillo to mark the launch of William’s book Los curiosos impertinentes: hispanófilos británicos de los siglos XIX-XXI (see our Spring and Summer 2025 editions for further details). Our Editorial Team page has more information about (and photos of) other team members.
¡Felices Pascuas!
Bulletin of Advanced Spanish 