Spanish Festival at Tower Bridge

London staged its first Spanish cultural festival this Bank Holiday weekend. Feria de Londres is more accurately described as an Andalusian festival. A lot of the culture that the British attribute to Spain originates from Andalucia.

Picnic of Churros at London's Tower Bridge, Feria de Londres

The 2-day Feria de Londres was staged on Potters Fields - the green space between London's iconic Tower Bridge and City Hall. I arrived just as Tower Bridge opened to let the Dixie Queen paddlesteamer pass underneath. I captured this and a sample of the Andalusian festivities on the video below. 

Dancing in the 'Spanish' sunshine

The long queue for paella at the Feria de Londres!

The sun blazed down throughout my visit on the happy crowd enjoying the Spanish food, music and dancing.


Karen Andrews is a freelance French to English translator, transcreator, content writer and editor. She has a strong background in global marketing.

The France Show 2017 Video

I caught The France Show 2017 at London's Olympia towards the end of my working day. I made the short video below to capture my visit.

The show was spread over two floors. The first floor concentrated largely on French food and drink. The second floor displayed French properties. 

The France on show was very much the one we Brits love. No doubt the show make French expats feel nostalgic too. 

During my visit there was an accordion player, a demonstration on how to cook mussels with a wine recommendation, a  wine appreciation class and a number of sampling sessions. The Brittany stand even offered visitors oysters to sample. 

There was a basic seminar on living and working in France. The timing did not seem great against the uncertain backdrop of Brexit and French presidential elections.

It struck me that the show presented a very traditional image of France. Much as I too love this side of France, I wondered if the 2018 version of this annual show could offer a more up-to-date view.

My own translation work demonstrates that there is a much more modern side to France that was clearly not represented in the show at all. Many French Tech businesses are even based in London. Perhaps they could take over the 3rd floor next time? An opportunity to showcase French innovation in 2018 as well as French food, drink and property?

Karen Andrews is a freelance French to English translator, transcreator, content writer and editor. She has a strong background in global marketing.

Email Karen for further information via karenanglicityen@gmail.com in French, German or English.