Actor Javier Gutiérrez Speaks Out on Madrid Housing Problem
Listen to the story
Spanish actor Javier Gutiérrez has spoken about the housing situation in Madrid, calling it unsustainable. He explained that the situation in the city has become extremely difficult for ordinary residents.
According to Gutiérrez, he lives in a building with 90 neighbours. More than half of these are now holiday apartments rented to tourists rather than homes for long-term residents. This shows how tourism is changing the character of many Madrid neighbourhoods.
The comments came as Gutiérrez received a new award recognising his long career in film. He is one of Spain's most respected actors, known for his work across many years in the film industry.
The story also looks back at Gutiérrez's early life, before he became famous. He is often thought to be from Galicia, a region in northern Spain, although this is not accurate. The article explores where he was actually born and how his background connects to this common assumption.
Gutiérrez's comments add to a wider public conversation in Spain about housing prices and the growing number of properties used for short-term tourist rentals instead of permanent housing.
Vocabulary8 words
- actor
- a person who performs in films or plays
- unsustainable
- not able to continue at this level
- neighbours
- people living close to you
- holiday apartments
- flats rented to tourists for short stays
- residents
- people who live somewhere permanently
- award
- a prize given for achievement
- career
- a person's long-term job or profession
- Galicia
- a region in northwest Spain
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Quiz
Answer key
1. Unsustainable 2. They have become holiday apartments 3. True
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Spanish actor Javier Gutiérrez has spoken about the housing situation in Madrid, calling it _____.
According to Gutiérrez, he lives in a building with _____ neighbours.
More than half of these are now _____ rented to tourists rather than homes for long-term residents.
The comments came as Gutiérrez received a new _____ recognising his long career in film.
He is often thought to be from _____, a region in northern Spain, although this is not accurate.
The article explores where he was actually _____ and how his background connects to this common assumption.
Gutiérrez's comments add to a wider public conversation in Spain about housing prices and short-term tourist _____.
Discussion questions
- Do you think tourist apartments should be limited in big cities? Why or why not?
- How does tourism affect the neighbourhoods where you live?
- Why do you think famous actors sometimes speak about social issues?
- Have you ever assumed something about a person's background that turned out to be wrong?
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