Get acquainted over starters, stories and Spanish

Have you ever gone on a holiday and picked up the language during your stay there but found you had nowhere to practise it once you got back home? Here’s a golden opportunity being served on a platter to B1 level and above Spanish speakers in the city. Hablemos con Marc, an event organised by Instituto Hispania India, seeks to bring together all those who speak the language over conversations, food and drinks. 

Open to locals who speak Spanish as well as those from other countries, it aims at creating a space for lovers of the language to meet like-minded people. But there’s a catch — they have a strict ‘Only Spanish Allowed’ policy. So be prepared! 

This is a first of its kind event, says Silvia Augustine, Communications Manager, Instituto Hispania. “What we had in mind while planning this is to get a community of Spanish speakers together. We wanted to provide a real-life setting outside of a classroom for them to improve their fluency,” she explains. “It could also help build a network of native Indians and Spanish nationals, thereby facilitating an exchange of cultures.” Starting off with Chennai, the event will soon be hosted in Delhi, and Silvia hopes it will become a regular affair. 

Hablemos, meaning let’s talk, is to be hosted by one of the institute’s professors, Marc. Quite popular among his students here for being a solo traveller who’s really fond of India, he shares what he likes the most about Chennai, which he’s made home. “Once, I wanted to go to Marina beach and suddenly, I crossed a cricket stadium. There were lots of people with Indian flags and I was really curious to see what was going on there. I asked someone and they told me it was a match between India and England. I figured it would be a great match so I asked around if I could buy a ticket. Initially, I was denied one but a policeman appeared out of nowhere, sold me a ticket and I walked into the stadium. My ticket was for the air-conditioned VIP box, which I didn’t expect! Since I was alone, a few people began chatting with me asking where I was from and I was given food and water as well. People all over India have treated me well and the respect I’ve gotten is invaluable,” he smiles.