Laura Gascoigne

Madrid’s golden triangle

Spain’s economy may be faltering but Laura Gascoigne finds its culture flourishing

issue 30 June 2012

Under the statue of Charles III in the Puerta del Sol a hellfire preacher is competing for custom with a mariachi band. ‘Porque la paga del pecado es muerte!’ he shouts. ‘Ay, ay, ay, ay,’ they sing, ‘porque cantando se alegran, cielito lindo, los corazones.’ The weather is with the preacher: the cielo is not lindo.

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