Beyond Borders: The True Story Behind Ecuador’s ‘Panama’ Hat
Lightweight. Breathable. Stylish. Those are just a few accurate words to describe the Panama hat. Plus, as any hat historian will attest, this hand-woven hat is the undisputed icon of tropical style. But whatever you do, don’t say it’s Panamanian. That would be wrong. The trendy tropical hat that is known worldwide as the Panama […]
Frida’s First Love: The Untold Story of Alejandro Gómez Arias
When it comes to Frida Kahlo, the spotlight on her personal life often shines right on her tumultuous relationship with fellow artist, and husband, Diego Rivera. Yet, before Rivera, behind the piercing self-portraits, another man played a pivotal role in Kahlo’s life: Alejandro “Alex” Gómez Arias. As proof of her eternal love for him, in […]
Pizza’s Origins Unveiled: Spain’s Coca Culinary Controversy
When it comes to the origin of pizza, the debate isn’t just about dough and toppings. It’s a historic culinary quest with many tantalizing twists. “When I tell people that Valencia invented pizza, they don’t believe me. Well, boom! This is the proof,” World-renowned Michelin Star Chef José Andrés declares on his CNN special series […]
The ñ: The history of a symbol that changed a country
It’s a symbol. It’s an icon. It’s an outcast. It’s the ñ. The controversial, and sometimes forgotten, 15th letter of the Spanish alphabet. But why does a letter with a wavy line on top garner up so much attention? One could blame it all on the ñ origin story … which would only be a […]
Bad Bunny Reigns Supreme: Billboard’s Top 10 Latin Artists of 2023 Unveiled
Over the holiday break, Billboard dropped their annual list of Latin stars who’ve been ruling the charts and the music scene in 2023. From reggaeton to regional Mexican vibes, this year’s lineup is once again diverse. Taking the crown for the fourth time straight in the 2020s is none other than the unstoppable Bad Bunny. […]
The Surprising Spanish History of Thanksgiving
Tired of the same old Thanksgiving dinner conversations? Spice things up this year by asking your friends and family where the first Thanksgiving was celebrated. If anyone says it was in 1621, at Plymouth, Massachusetts, feel free to say “Wrong!” More and more historians are pointing out that, contrary to popular belief, the first day […]
Tampa or Miami? Unraveling the Origins of Cuban Bread
Cuban bread. It’s a fairly simple bread. It’s a white, long, baguette-like loaf, similar to French bread and Italian bread. And its key ingredients are simple too: just flour, water, and a small amount of fat (often lard or vegetable shortening). But did this bread really come from the Caribbean island? And who created it? While […]
The Hidden Treasures of Frida Kahlo’s Bathrooms
In the heart of Mexico City, nestled within the vibrant walls of La Casa Azul, the enigmatic Mexican Artist Frida Kahlo (1907 – 1954) left behind a legacy that transcends time. But no one knew. Secretly, hundreds of Kahlo’s personal belongings were locked up in two bathrooms for five decades after her death. Turns out, her […]
Breaking Barriers in Film: The 16-Year Challenge for Hispanics and Latinos
In the glittering world of cinema, a disheartening narrative persists: Hispanics and Latinos are still underrepresented. This is according to a recent study released this week by the University of Southern California’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. This extensive analysis left no stone unturned, meticulously examining the portrayal of over 62,000 speaking characters, while also casting an […]
Lin-Manuel Miranda Backs NYC’s Largest Latino Theater: The People’s Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante
New York City is welcoming its biggest Latino theater, The People’s Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante, thanks in large part to the support of one of its most famous Broadway stars, New York City native Lin-Manuel Miranda. The expansive 19,000-square-foot venue will find its home in a brand-new mixed-use building at 407 West 206th Street, nestled […]
Reimagining Frida and Diego: An Operatic Love Story Beyond the Grave
Photos by Nickolas Muray/Cory Weaver, SFO. Illustration by Nuestro Stories The passionate and tumultuous love story of Mexican artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera has captivated the world for over eight decades. Today, an operatic artistic endeavor offers us a fresh perspective on their legendary romance. Their lives after death. Introducing “El Último Sueño de […]
Building a Sacred Connection: the Day of the Dead Ofrenda
In a world where death is often associated with sorrow and mourning, the Mexican holiday of Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, offers us a much different approach. Celebrated on November 1 and 2, the Day of the Dead not only honors, but celebrates, the lives of loved ones who have passed. […]