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Spaniards leading a national surge in global business and politics, culture and the arts. As the country prepares for a pivotal election, TIME examines its striking creative burst
In a way, Aznar remains a mystery, even to Palacio. “Aznar is someone I know — O.K., knowing Aznar isn’t easy,” she admits. “He’s a very reserved person, very Castilian. In that sense he’s austere, hard to read; no one knows what he’s going to do when he leaves the presidency.” Still, she respects his gift for clear, simple ideas: that Spain should slough off its complexes and project its energy, for instance. And that Spain, as a project, is viable — a point that she believes the independence-leaning nationalists don’t accept, and on which she thinks the Socialists “are sending confusing signals.” No one is ever in
Spain is a bottle of champagne that’s been opened up, and now the whole force of society ... is flowing out
— ANA PALACIO
doubt about Aznar’s intentions: “He’s stubborn,” she says, “but rather than aggressive I’d qualify him as adusto [which usually signifies severity or austerity], which is a very Spanish word.”
Trueba believes the problem lies deeper than in any one man’s personality. “Spanish politicians in power [from either party] tend to shut themselves away from the people,” he says. “We end up with Prime Ministers living on desert islands, having built fortresses around themselves because they’re afraid of something. I would like to write them all letters saying, ‘Hey, don’t be afraid!’” Adrià doubts that any such calming missives would make the job palatable. “You’d have to be crazy to be a politician,” says Adrià. “If there’s one job worse than that of chef, it’s being a politician.”
Luckily for Spain, there are still brave, dedicated — or in some cases power-hungry — souls who feel differently and willingly take on responsibility for steering the country one way or the other. But it will no longer be Aznar who fills this role. Will his departure mean the end of an era of political confrontation in Spain? Jiménez hopes so. “Now we’re in an election period, but I believe in the maturity of politicians and institutions, and I think we can re-create a consensus on the basic questions,” she says.
Trueba sees a greater challenge for Spain’s politicians of all colors: they must find the same confidence in the Spanish people that he believes they have in themselves. “The dominant sectors distrust the people’s ability to do anything, to govern themselves, to reinvent themselves,” he says. Maybe so. But if that is true, the “dominant sectors” have failed to prevent many Spaniards — more and more, in fact — from doing all kinds of economically lucrative and wildly creative things. Chef Paco Roncero’s dessert — white chocolate lollipops with pink peppercorns — was evidence enough of that.
Divide And Conquer [Mar. 1, 2004]
Basque terrorist group ETA throws a "message bomb" into the Spanish general-election campaign
Death Coast [Dec 2, 2002]
After an aging tanker sins off Spain, a vast slick of fuel oil destroys beaches, wildlife and fishermen's dreams. Could this disaster have been prevented?
They Came To Reign in Spain [Sep. 27, 2002]
You wait for a major sporting competition to come along, and three show up at the same time.
A Meeting Of Minds [Jul. 15, 2002]
European Union leaders meet in Seville to look for common ground on everything
Gaudí Mania [Apr. 26, 2002]
The work of controversial architect Antoni Gaudí is getting a fresh look as Spain marks the 150th anniversary of his birth
Bust In Madrid [Dec. 21, 2001]
A well-established al-Qaeda cell may have been directly involved in planning the U.S. terrorist attacks
Madrid: Living la Vida Loca [Nov. 12, 2001]
Madrileos like it late, loud and lively in their multitude of bars and restaurants
Mogadishu at 60 Miles an Hour Arms merchants are once again doing brisk business after a rapid change of power in this tough town, but so far the peace has held
The Year of The Nuke A rundown of the world's nuclear powerhouses, and what to expect in the coming months
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