This week’s top stories from EL PAÍS English Edition

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English Edition Dear readers, It has been a dramatic year in Spain: one dominated by the crisis in Catalonia, the terrorist attacks in Catalonia in August, and a surge of anti-tourism sentiment in the summer. At the same time, there were plenty of other stories making headlines in Spain, including the continued fallout from Brexit, a closely-watched rape trial in Pamplona and Spain's ongoing war against the drug trade. But it wasn't all doom and gloom. Among our most popular articles were a look at the unwritten rules of life in a Spanish village, the fascinating tale of an island that is Spanish for six months a year, and a piece on the Madrid visit of the viral philosopher Slavoj Žižek. For a full wrap on the year just gone, see our piece on our most-read stories below. For now though, thanks for reading the EL PAÍS English Edition in 2017 – we hope you continue to enjoy our coverage of all things Spanish in the coming year. And last but not least we wish you a happy, safe and prosperous 2018. George Mills Ciudadanos leader Inés Arrimadas on Wednesday. / J.S. Catalan elecion Ciudadanos under pressure to try and form government in Catalonia J.J. Gálvez / Anabel Díez / Elsa García de Blas / Lluís Pellicer Madrid / Barcelona But party, which was most-voted in regional election, says it does not have the numbers and is watching moves of secessionist bloc A man hangs a pro-independence Catalan flag in Barcelona. / E.G. Economy Catalan economy already hurt by independence push: Bank of Spain Cristina Delgado Madrid Spanish GDP grew estimated 0.8% in third quarter but could stagnate if there is more uncertainty in Catalonia, institution warns Barcelona's Barceloneta beach in August. / J.S. Travel Spain closes in on 80 million foreign tourists in record-breaking 2017 Javier Salvatierra Madrid 2016 mark of 76 million surpassed in mid-November although monthly figures down in Catalonia A waiter in a bar in Ronda, Andalusia. / P.P. 2017 in review More jobs but less security as Spain struggles to shake off economic crisis Manuel V. Gómez Madrid Record number of employment contracts signed in 2017 but goal of permanent work elusive for many Carmen Franco / gtresonline Franco dictatorship Only daughter of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco dies, aged 91 El País / Agencias Madrid Carmen, who died on Friday in Madrid after a long illness, defended her father's legacy until the very end Map of the Tabarnia and the rest of Catalonia. / EL PAÍS Catalan independence Tabarnia: the hoax independence movement trending now in Spain David Alandete / Camilo S. Baquero Madrid / Barcelona Old demand for Barcelona and Tarragona to split from rest of pro-secession Catalonia revived on social media over Christmas period Voters in Girona, Catalonia clash with riot police. / A.E. END OF THE YEAR ROUND-UP Our most-read articles of 2017 El País Madrid From the Catalan crisis to card sharks, here are this year's highlights from the EL PAÍS English Edition in a dramatic year for Spain Literature A noble act: The female writer who fought Nazis and machismo Tereixa Constenla Selma Lagerlöf not only won the Nobel Prize for Literature, she also saved a fellow laureate from the Nazis A woman dances at a zambomba. / J.C.T. CULTURE In southern Spain, flamenco zambombas make a comeback Jesús A. Cañas Cádiz The celebration dates back to the 18th century, nearly died in the 1970s, and is currently enjoying a revival Language Tongue twisters: the Spanish town where they talk backwards Octavio Toledo Santa Cruz de Tenerife La Laguna in the Canary Islands wants its curious 'Verres' language to be recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Catalan separatists spark viral response to satirical article on Puigdemont Álvaro Sánchez Brussels The Financial Times's most re-tweeted article draws an ironic comparison between the region's former president and Mandela, De Gaulle and Gandhi Cartoons Ros Ros Ros cartoon, December 28, 2017 Opinion A conciliatory king King Felipe VI highlights the importance of the rule of law and opens door to constitutional reform Thanks readers! Sign up for more newsletters from EL PAÍS » You have received this communication because you have registered with EL PAÍS and you have subscribed to the ENGLISH EDITION editorial newsletter. If you believe you have received this message due to an error or you want to stop receiving this bulletin at the email address tworaho.mail18@blogger.com, you can unsubscribe. In addition, you can change your preferences by accessing your profile. At any time you can exercise your rights to access, rectify, cancel or object via post by writing to EDICIONES EL PAÍS, at the following address: Miguel Yuste, 40. 28037; or by writing to PROMOTORA DE INFORMACIONES, S.A. (PRISA), at the address Gran Vía, 32 - Madrid 28013, writing on the envelope: "DERECHOS LOPD" and including a photocopy of your identity card or passport and explaining your request.