The summer break is an opportunity to refresh and re-set, and there are few better ways of doing that than by traveling to new places. Fitting, then, that this Summer Edition brings you a number of articles with a strong sense of place… such as the coast of Costa Rica. We ask what makes that country the place to discover la paz interna?
The Vatican Gardens are the venue for a similarly meaningful experience for our co-founder Stephen Hart, who huddles in the drizzle among Peruvian devotees awaiting the Pope’s ‘enthronement’ of their patron saint, Rosa. We hear his account of the occasion, and of the saint’s life.
We return to the River Plate docklands of 130 years ago to find the origins of tango, and how it became a global phenomenon.
We look back at the battleground for Peru’s 1991 struggle against cholera. Why did the epidemic hit Peru so hard then, and does the country remain vulnerable today?
We revisit the Barcelona streets of May 1937, where the Republican cause imploded, shaping the outcome of the Spanish Civil War. We assess why that happened.
Spain’s population is forecast to nudge above 50 million later this year. We take a look at how demographic trends shape the country.
The distinctiveness of the Basque Country has long been acknowledged. We explore key aspects of its history and culture. [In Spanish]
As it happens, Los domingos, the film that triumphed in most major categories at the 2026 Goya Awards, is set in the Basque Country. We look at the issues it raises for family relationships and Catholic values.
Across the Atlantic the 2026 Grammys were an equally triumphant occasion for Puerto Rican singer and performer Bad Bunny. He capped this career high with a breathtaking Super Bowl performance – while at home in Puerto Rico, he is recognised for promoting the language and culture of this Spanish-speaking island. We ask: is he the true face of America?
The repercussions of the US raid on Venezuela in January continue to reshape the power balance in the region. President Trump claims his Escudo (Shield) initiative will tackle crime and the drugs trade in Latin America. Our expert analysts in Miami and Mexico City assess its likely impact on the region. [In both Spanish and English]
Oxford will be hosting the JLACS Latin American cultural conference this summer. Find the details here.
And of course… our Summer Edition is where we announce details of the 2026 Bulletin of Advanced Spanish / University of Glasgow Sixth Form Essay Competition, now in its fourth year. Find all you need here.
For insights into this edition of the Bulletin, and for a look forward to our tenth year starting in September, we invite you to join us Behind the Scenes.
The Bulletin of Advanced Spanish is a free, online resource, which is read on every continent. It is written by and for enthusiasts at all stages of their exploration of the language and culture of the Spanish-speaking world. Might you like to join our team? You can contact us via the tab above.
Please see the Guidelines tab if you would like to write for us. Articles for our Autumn edition should please reach us by 25 September 2026.
We wish our student, teacher and examiner readers an uplifting and successful exam season. And we wish all our readers a fine summer.
Felices vacaciones,
The BAS editorial team
Bulletin of Advanced Spanish 