Podcast | The Spain of the Volunteers
The Enduring Spirit of spanish Volunteers: A Nation United in Crisis
By Ahmed Hassan, Chief editor
Spain has long been a nation defined by its people’s unwavering willingness to help those in need. From the devastating forest fires of recent days to the collective effort of cleaning up the oil spill from the ‘Prestige’ off the coast of Galicia, the Spanish spirit of volunteerism shines brightest in the face of adversity. We witnessed it again during the darkest days of the pandemic, as ordinary citizens stepped up to distribute food to vulnerable communities, and in the aftermath of the Valencia floods, where countless individuals joined forces to clear mud and debris from affected towns.
But lately, a troubling trend has emerged, threatening to taint this noble tradition. Some volunteer efforts are becoming increasingly intertwined with ultraliberal ideologies, echoing slogans like “only the people saves the people,” which carry a disturbing resemblance to fascist rhetoric. These sentiments often mask