 |
| Model of new terminal at
Madrid's Barajas International Airport |
| Courtesy Patronato de
Turismo |
Every city has its moment: Paris in the Belle Epoque,
London in the Swinging 'Sixties. For Madrid it is
today. "Madrid is living in exciting times,"
observes Pilar Martinez, city councillor in charge
of economics."It's strategic, competitive,
enterprising, imaginative, and is steadily establishing
itself as the capital of Southern Europe."
The city has an unmistakable air of self assurance,
and no wonder. It has a growth rate higher than
the European Union average. Because it offers investors
a dynamic business environment and a highly trained
labor force, more than half the multi-national corporations
based in Spain are located around Madrid. Tourists
are attracted by its rich cultural texture, its
lively night life and its fine restaurants. And
its soccer team -- Real Madrid -- is widely regarded
as the best in the world.
What adds to its charm is Madrid's respect for
its past in a changing world. In fact, past and
present will come together in May when Prince Felipe,
the Spanish crown prince, is married in Madrid.
The royal wedding will be a rich panoply of high
dignitaries in grand uniforms, halberd carrying
royal guards, and an escort of mounted cavalry for
the procession by coach to and from the church.
But in another sense the occasion couldn't be more
contemporary. Prince Felipe, A Georgetown university
graduate, is marrying Dona Letizia Ortiz, a thoroughly
modern-minded former television news anchor.
In lighter vein, there are such charming traditions
as the annual parade through the streets of Madrid
on a designated Sunday in October of hundreds of
sheep.The "parade" blocks city traffic
for hours, but Madrilenos understand its significance.
The custom commemorates the time in the distant
past when wool was a major factor in Madrid's thriving
economy.
Madridlenos pride themselves of being able to think
outside the box. The Prado Museum's young new director,
Miguel Zugaza, shocked purists recently by mounting
an exhibition of works by a contemporary artist
in the hitherto exclusive showcase of Spain's Old
Masters. Young chefs are turning traditional recipes
upside down to create an imaginative cocina de fusion.
Spanish wines have reached levels of quality that
has French vintners looking nervously southwards.
In a sense, Madrid is reliving a modern version
of its past. In the 17th century Spain was a world
power and Madrid the center of a colonial empire.
That empire, of course, is long since gone, but
Madrid has acquired a new international importance
and with it a renewed confidence thanks to Spain's
deft positioning in the world community.
Spain has found its voice in the European Union.
It has emerged with a special relationship with
the United States that seems to challenge the Anglo-American
version. Above all it is trying to reclaim old ground
as the cultural and historical source of the Hispanic
world, not just in Latin America, but among Hispanics
in the United States.
"Madrid is already active in Latin America,
and Spain has a strong desire to create a strong
relationship with the Spanish communities in the
United States," points out one Spanish official.
"Forty million Hispanics in the United States
represent an enormous potential. This is a human
group that's very, very interesting for Spain."
Madrid's bid for the summer Olympic Games of 2012
is seen as another way of enhancing its international
importance. Financial gain doesn't always follow
from hosting the games, but a degreee of fame is
assured. "The Olympics give you a chance to
do many things, such as build infrastructure, attract
investments," observes the official. "Barcelona
was transformed by the 1992 Olympics. The whole
city was really an actor."
Significantly, Madrid's main rivals for the games
are London, NewYork, and Paris. This, too, is appropriate
as far as Pilar Martinez is concerned. "Madrid
does not compete with Barcelona," she says.
"Madrid competes with London and Paris. That
is the real context of our effort."
|
