Spain Semester Student Activities

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday

Aug. 17 through Sept. 9, 2015

(Reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015 (free food and drinks inspired by Spain)

MSSU Spiva Art Gallery

Admission: free

A group exhibition of students who studied in Spain and made artwork inspired by their travels. The exhibit will feature travel photography, video interviews with each of the students, artwork and crafts purchased in each of the cities of Madrid, Seville, Granada and Barcelona as well as each student’s personal expressive works in his or her chosen media. 

10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015

Lion’s Den

Admission: free (while supplies last)

The Running of the Bulls is a popular Spanish tradition in which a section of a town’s streets are closed off and then people run in front of a group of cattle. The most famous of these festivals takes place every year in Pamplona, Spain. The festival, which is called San Fermin, hosts over 1,000,000 people during an eight-day period.

The Running of the Bulls tradition is said to date back to the early 14^th century when cattle were transported to market. It is said that in order to speed up this process, men would run with the cattle in order to excite the livestock enough to hurry their pace. Every year between 200 and 300 people are injured during the Pamplona run and since 1910, there have been 15 fatalities. To minimize the risk of injury, over 200 Red Cross volunteers and 20 ambulances position themselves approximately every 50 meters along the route. This system makes it possible to stabilize a gore victim and get them to a hospital within 10 minutes.

Fortunately for you, the Campus Activities Board is going to provide you the opportunity to get an awesome Running with the Bulls photograph, without putting yourself in harm’s way! Join us on Tuesday, Sept. 15, to get the perfect snapshot of you Running with the Bulls!

7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, 2015

Taylor Performing Arts Center

Admission: free

This 75-minute “master class” increases participants’ awareness and understanding of flamenco dance and its cultural heritage. It includes a brief history of the origins of flamenco dance, music and song and how the various cultures that inhabited Spain have influenced flamenco. This is a hands-on workshop with instruction in rhythmic handclaps (palmas), arm movements (braceo), body posturing, and footwork (taconeo). The class is supportive and fun, and flamenco technique is woven into a short choreography. By the end of the class, participants will be able to “perform” a simple choreographed dance. 

10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015]

Lion’s Den

Admission: free (while supplies last)

Legend has it that churros were developed by mountain-dwelling Spanish shepherds. Given their location, the shepherds were not able to come by fresh-baked goods. As a result, the nomadic people developed a cake-like, cylindrical, confection that could be cooked in a pan over an open fire. Centuries later we are forever in debt to those Spanish shepherds.

Since the time of its creation, churros have spread across the planet and are now one of the most popular snacks in Latin America, France, and Spain. On Tuesday, Nov. 10, swing by the Lion’s Den and get your very own churro courtesy of the Campus Activities Board!