Tag Archives: Spain

Confusion of Confusions

Posted on December 28, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

With all of the recent maddening gyrations in the world’s stock markets, maybe the capitalist nabobs pulling the strings could benefit from perusing this 17th century financial guide recently up for auction by Sotheby’s Rare Book and Manuscript auctioneers. The … Continue reading →

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Books for Fighters

Posted on September 16, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

The sign in the photo taken in Barcelona in 1938 reads “give books to fighters”. The campaign collected reading material for anti-Fascist volunteers in the Spanish Civil War.

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Blue Mondays

Posted on August 27, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

This is what Monday morning looks like when you arrive to find the bookstore closed.

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Bookstore Tourism : Spain

Posted on July 17, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Tuuu Librería is a secondhand bookstore chain in Spain with a special twist. Operated by a non-profit foundation dedicated to literacy and reading, the bookshops collect and recycle donated books from individuals, businesses, and institutions. But what is really unusual is … Continue reading →

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Put A Ring On It

Posted on May 7, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

To celebrate the Concéntrico International Festival of Architecture and Design, the Berlin-based art collective Plastique Fantastique encircled the Instituo Esudios Riojanos in Logroño, Spain, with a gigantic faux gold ring. Unfortunately, RINGdeLUXE will only be in place through May.

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You can call me a library rat anytime

Posted on April 25, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

I hadn’t heard the expression “library rat” since my undergraduate university days until I stumbled across this new mural by the Spanish street artist known as Xav. The work, which was commissioned by the Barcelona-based Contorno Urbano Foundation, celebrates those … Continue reading →

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Why Bibliophiles Hate Cristiano Ronaldo

Posted on February 15, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Cristiano Ronaldo, the famous Portuguese footballer, has purchased the historic Casa del Libro bookstore building in the heart of Madrid with plans to convert it into a luxury hotel. The 95 year old bookstore is housed in a beautiful building … Continue reading →

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Gulliver’s Travels

Posted on February 12, 2018 by Brian D. Butler
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What we live with now

Posted on November 17, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Those of you who follow TBTP on a regular basis are well aware that I’m a huge fan of the Spanish artists collective Luzinterruptus. Their international environmentally focused art installations always make bold and memorable statements. “The Plastic We Live With” or … Continue reading →

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Madrid Labyrinth

Posted on August 1, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Spanish street art collective Luzinterruptus has been shining a spotlight on the wastefulness of tourists and locals in Madrid with another powerful environmental art installation. The Laberinto de Residuos Plasticos was created from water bottles discarded in and around the capital city’s historic Plaza Mayor during … Continue reading →

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