Backstage 'Pin Kultury': Discovering Spain with the Podcast
What inspired you to create the “Pin Kultury” podcast about life in Spain?
Good morning, first of all I wanted to thank you very much for your willingness to conduct this interview.... but also for our earlier conversation as part of my “PIN Kultury” podcast. It's actually a very interesting twist that I originally took on the role of a journalist and now you were willing to talk to me ;) However, to answer the question asked, I think curiosity. And this is in two dimensions. First, I spent the last 9 years at Audioteka, where I had to deal with creators, audio recordings and podcasts on a daily basis, but I never hosted a broadcast myself. So I wanted to try my hand at this area. And secondly, I myself i repeatedly searched for information on the Internet about how to live and live in Spain, but I did not satisfy my curiosity in a comprehensive and multifaceted way. The information I received was often contradictory or tinged with subjectivity. So I decided to take matters into my own hands and speak independently with people who had made the decision to move some time ago. I figured that in this way I would not only learn first-hand myself about how things really are here, but also try to present the topic as objectively as possible to a wider audience - making the podcast available to anyone interested. For the first seven episodes of the podcast, I talked to some very interesting people who didn't enough that they talked about their businesses they run on the Costa Blanca, but also shared their impressions after the move, what surprised or delighted them in Spain.
What are the most common opinions you hear from your interviewees about life in Spain?
Virtually all my interlocutors are delighted with the climate of Spain, of course the sun and the energy that this sun releases in a person, but also the tranquility and the kind of “slow life” that prevails here. I think, generalizing a little, but we all subconsciously strive to slow down a bit in our busy lives, to find such a balance between the dynamics of the life we lead and the dream of rest and time for family, friends.... And from my conversations it seems that Spain has given this to my interlocutors. That it is such a place where there is time for everything, where we can live peacefully, without stress and constant irritation.
What are the biggest challenges your visitors face after moving to Spain?
Hahaha, paradoxically, it is precisely this tranquility, the lifestyle of the Spaniards, which in fact, we Poles like, is also the biggest challenge. Because coming from Poland, we are accustomed to a faster pace of life, to the fact that many things will be taken care of immediately, and here it turns out that “slow life” affects us in every aspect of life - whether in a store, office or in relationships with other people.
Do your interviewees point to any particular cultural differences between Spain and Poland? If so, which ones?
After all my conversations, I am convinced that there are far more cultural differences than similarities. Which doesn't mean at all that Poles don't find each other here - on the contrary. But in fact, my interlocutors point to many differences, from the upbringing of children, to the functioning of schools, offices, such daily life, neighborhood relations or even the ordinary functioning of people on the street and the ubiquitous greeting and smiling. This surprises us on the one hand, but also mostly pleases us. I will cite one example, but I think it is quite telling.
In an interview with Tom Trautmann, a motorcyclist and tour guide on the Costa Blanca, we touched on the topic of single-track riding skills, and it turns out that Spaniards have these skills higher - but this is simply due to the lack of such fear of riding a motorcycle. Children, of course, have no fear in them, but neither do their parents instill this fear in them.... Tom has seen how Spanish children learn to ride and enter corners at maximum lean from an early age and the parents watch it all calmly from behind the gangs encircling the track. No one panics when any child falls over, no one interferes with the cycle science. In Poland we are probably too overprotective ;)
Can you share a story or anecdote that is most memorable from your interviews so far?
Oh... and how long can this interview be? :) Practically in each conversation, in each episode, you can find a lot of interesting stories, divertissements and anecdotes. I also won't take away from the pleasure of listening to the podcast for your readers ;) Above you could read about the training of young motorcycling students in Spain, it was a cool story. Abounding in unusual events is also the episode with Monika Wisniewska, founder of the group “We only drink mature wine” or the conversation with Alina Kaminska about her Beauty Academy (will be published in September). Truly, every conversation is a new, often surprising life story. What can I add - I recommend, listen ;)
What advice do your interviewees most often give to people considering a move to Spain?
The most common phrase that comes up is “if I had known and could/could have done it sooner”. Really! This decision to move to Spain in some was planned in others more spontaneous - but really no one I have talked to regrets their decision. And they even encourage Poles, if that is their dream, to give it a try, to see if they like this Spanish life. In general, no one complained and no one missed Poland either. Of course, nowadays, with so many flights to Poland from Alicante, this longing for family or friends in the country does not play such a big role, because at any time we can buy a ticket and 4 hours later be already in Poland.
How do your visitors rate their experience with learning Spanish?
Well, and here it varies... ;) Not all of my interlocutors learned Spanish, and while they mostly admit that knowledge of the language is definitely useful - they also emphasize that in such normal, everyday functioning English is completely sufficient.
Has your podcast been noticed in Poland? Do you have any comments from listeners?
Yes, and it's very nice ;) I've gotten a lot of feedback and comments from people who have listened to the various conversations, and I feel that the circle of people the podcast reaches continues to expand. At first, of course, it was my closer and more distant friends, but over time, with gentle social media support, the podcast has begun to reach people who are simply interested in the topic of life in Spain. Invaluable help in promoting the podcast, of course, is also the support of my interviewees, who in their social media will mention the interview conducted, throw in links to YT or Spotify or my website. Anyway, I have to share the information with you here, that episode three, in which I talk to you specifically, reached the widest audience. Thank you, because it is also thanks to you ;) Overall, I think the podcast is doing well, and although we are not yet quoted by the biggest news outlets in Poland.... but let's give them time ;)
What are your future plans for the “Pin Kultury” podcast?
This is a very good question. Because on the one hand, it was simply a great adventure, I was able to meet great stories of people who made an important life decision and started a new life abroad. On the other hand, I fulfilled my goal - I created a podcast that presents in a diverse and, I hope, objective way the everyday reality of life in Spain, dispels fears and gives hope, but also perhaps sometimes makes listeners realize that not everything is as beautiful as it seems at first. On the third end - I would very much like this project to function even more widely. On the website pinkultury.pl I have created space both for the podcast and for the calendar cultural events in Spain.... well, and I have a few more ideas that, for lack of time, temporarily, must wait for implementation. But I myself must first follow the advice of my interlocutors, so that in a few years' time I won't be saying in their words: “...if I had known and could have, I would have moved here sooner”.
