Photographer captures moment of pure magic as people poured into the streets during Spain's 11-hour blackout

On April 28, 2025, Spain experienced a massive power outage that left millions without electricity, cell service, or public transportation for up to 11 hours. Despite the widespread disruption, residents in Madrid displayed remarkable community spirit. Photographer u/jrhodespianist captured scenes of people in a series of black and white pictures, sharing radios, socializing in the streets, and spending a day without screens or power.

He wrote in the caption, "11-hour blackout in Spain. No problem." He continued, "Obviously, this was a big deal. No getting around that. A ton of inconvenience, fear, worry. A colleague of mine had to walk 23 km just to get home from work. But, from what I saw and photographed, people just gave good vibes, shared radios and smiles, hung out in the streets, helped each other out." In one photo, a group crowds together in a narrow alleyway with glasses of wine, snacks, and a guitar. There's conversation, laughter, and music. Another photo shows two older men sharing lunch beside a van, their legs splattered with paint, sunlight hitting their bowls. 

"I spent a few hours walking around Madrid, where I live, and there was no drama anywhere. Amazing, given there was zero cell service and power, no traffic lights, no metro, etc.," he wrote. One of the final images shows a small, dimly lit bar that somehow stayed open. A few people sat inside, drinks in hand, while the bartender continued serving under low light. "The last photo I took is of a little bar that stayed open, had the radio playing awesome music from the 50s, and somehow had ice. So I took a pic of my Mrs. enjoying a chilled Sprite," he wrote. The photographer added, "This is why I love Spain so much. It is a gentle, kind, beautiful country." He ended his post by writing, "People care here. It is ingrained in their DNA. Having lived a prior life in the UK, well, there is a big difference (speaking personally)." 

The sense of community spirit shown in those hours reflects something researchers have found again and again. A study published in BMJ Open reported that people who feel a strong sense of community are significantly less likely to experience depression, anxiety, or stress. That connection held even when one was struggling due to income, gender, and other social factors. Moments like this one build emotional resilience when it’s needed most. 

Many readers resonated deeply with what the photos captured, not just the scenes themselves, but the way they felt. u/Ok-Inspection-722 wrote, "These are genuine photos. That's the word that perfectly describes these." u/SunbeamWillow commented, "It's like the photos capture the soul of the moment. Calm, connection, and community without a single screen in sight." u/Safe-Bar-153 said, "This is so beautiful. You can just feel the sense of warmth and community through these pictures. Thank you for sharing :’)" u/ee_mortal shared, "I live there, and this is what I saw. Kids were running around on the streets, playing games and laughing wildly. Families went to a park to watch the sunset. Groups of teens were sitting on street corners, talking to each other. Memories of a better world."