To celebrate the Puertas Abiertas (open doors) art festival on May 31, this episode explores the history of Usera: how it went from being a quiet rural area to one of Madrid's most multicultural and creative districts. In it I talk about how the area resisted Nationalist troops during the Civil War, controversies over the name of its most famous estate and where most of its Chinese population hails from. The first of a three part guide to Madrid's Usera district, this one is close to my heart as this is my barrio (neighbourhood)!Further reading/watching:Colonias of MadridShanty towns in MadridEspacio Oculto organizes the Puertas Abiertas festivalVideo (in Spanish) about Qingtian, where most Chinese in Usera hail from

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