Post Tagged with "Jews"

Portugal abroad: a historical journey through Europe

Today Portugal celebrates Our Lady of Conception’s Day. She was proclaimed the godmother and Queen of Portugal on March, 25, 1646, by the Portuguese King D. Joao IV, during the Independence Restoration wars (1640-1668) and after sixty years of Spanish rule (1580-1640). The kings of Portugal have never worn the Portuguese Crown again. The Portuguese monarchy ended in 1910.

In this post we’ll explore some historical traces of Portugal around Europe.

Zamora (Spain): birth of the Portuguese nation

The 5th of October 1143, in Zamora, in the Kingdom of Castilla y Leon (Castile and León) a treaty was signed between the King of León and Castile, Alfonso VII, and the King of Portugal, Afonso Henriques. By this treaty, Portugal became an independent country and the oldest European nation. Last summer vacation, on my way to Portugal, I visited Zamora Cathedral, where the treaty was signed and my country, legally, was born. As you may guess, it was a very special moment for me.

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Spaniards wear multicultural genes

A genetic study of the Spanish people conducted by Leicester University (UK) and Pompeu Fabra University (Spain) has found that more than 30% have either Jewish or Muslim ancestors. The study was published in the American journal of human genetics.

After the Spanish reconquista at the end of the 15th century many Jews and Muslims were forced to leave Spain, as the previously multi-faith society was transformed into the strongly Catholic one of today. Others converted to Christianity but until now it was not certain how widespread these conversions were.

Visitors to Andalucia and many other places in Spain can see Spain’s cosmopolitan past reflected in the architecture. It seems this past is also reflected in its people.

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Iraqi food for Jewish New Year

This week Jews are celebrating the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah.

Many Jews eat sweet foods during this festival to symbolise their hopes for the year to come. However one traditional dish eaten by Jews coming from Amara in Southern Iraq is a combination of bitter chard, sweet beets and sweet and sour sauce.

In this article from the International Herald Tribune Joan Nathan describes the picnic in a pine forest near Jerusalem where he first tried the dish.

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