Córdoba's Patio Festival: A Blooming Celebration
At El Patio, we believe patios are utterly enchanting! More than just charming courtyards, they are the heart of a Spanish home—a serene, open-air space that fosters connection, conversation, and a sense of community. In traditional Spanish culture, a patio is an enclosed, open-to-the-sky courtyard within a building, serving as a communal gathering place that brings people together.
And nowhere are they more celebrated than in Córdoba, Spain. Every May these patios burst into bloom with the Fiesta de los Patios—a UNESCO-listed celebration of flowers, culture, and community spirit.
Did Netflix Pull Off 100 Years of Solitude?
Let's dive into something truly special —a journey into the magical world of Cien años de soledad (One Hundred Years of Solitude) by the legendary Gabriel García Márquez. As a school committed to fostering curiosity and a love for the wonders of the world, we were thrilled when Netflix announced the adaptation of this iconic novel. For years, this masterpiece was considered too complex to bring to the screen—so, did Netflix manage to pull it off?
Our List of Must See Mexican Movies!
Mexico has a booming movie scene and has produced arguably some of the best cinematic pieces not only in the spanish-speaking community, but world-wide! Mexico is home to "The Three Amigos", consisting of three giants in the world of movie directors: Alejandro González Iñárritu, Guillermo del Toro, and Alfonso Cuarón, all of whom have produced critically acclaimed work both in their home country and Hollywood. Read on to find out which of their movies have made our list!
Iconic Design in the Spanish Speaking World
Design in the Spanish-speaking world has a rich and interconnected history. Each country's urban life is impacted and influenced greatly by the structure of their cities and buildings. If you're interested in all things architecture and urban planning, this one is for you! From ancient histories to master plans and changing urban landscapes, read on to find out more about some of the most impactful spaces within Spain and Latin America.
Artists Behind the Aulas - Frida Kahlo
You may have noticed that our classrooms (aulas) have interesting names in our Northcote centre! We named these classrooms in honour of our favourite hispanic artists - Miró, Kahlo, Almodóvar and Cruz.
But who are these people? And what does their art mean to us? Let's dive into perhaps the most enigmatic and iconic of the bunch - Frida Kahlo.
Tick-Tock Tales: Franco's Time Warp and Spain's Serenos
Ever wondered why Spaniards have dinner so late? With daylight savings recently wreaking havoc on our clocks, we thought we'd share a few interesting tidbits from the history of time-keeping in Spain.
Find out what makes Spaniards tick!
New Year's traditions in the Hispanic world!
Feliz Año Nuevo, or Happy New Year! 2024 has well and truly arrived, and the Hispanic world said farewell to last year with some amazing traditions and celebrations! To get on their level, have a read about five fascinating New Year's traditions from the Spanish-speaking world!
El Patio's scary Spanish-language movie recommendations!
Did spooky season get you in the mood for some thrilling filcks? Why not practice your Spanish as well? Read on for El Patio's top scary Spanish-language movie recommendations!
Artists Behind the Aulas - Celia Cruz
At El Patio Northcote, each of our classrooms (aulas) are named after an artist from the Spanish-speaking world. The classroom right down the back in our Northcote Centre is named after Cuban singer Celia Cruz, known as "La Reina de la Salsa" (The Queen of Salsa). Here we wanted to tell you a little bit about who she was and why we love her!
'Trick or Trial?' The Witch Hunt for Meigas and Sorginak
With the spooky season upon us, here are two bewitching tales from Northern Spain to get you in the Halloween spirit. Witches have always been a popular element of northern Spanish folklore, particularly in the regions of Galicia, Asturias and the Basque Country, a land where the mountains are high, the mist is thick, and there are plenty of caves for covens - the perfect recipe for witchcraft to thrive!
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El Patio Tote Bag
What's cooler than a tote bag? A tote bag filled with your Spanish books - duh! But seriously, these bags are strong, made from natural canvas and built to last. Perfect size for your textbooks…
