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What are you up to this weekend?

Friday, February 5th, 2010

Are you doing a language course in Salamanca?  Have you taken a group trip to Salamanca and need means of entertainment? Wanting to make the most out of your visit to the stunning university city? Then don’t spend your weekend in the cafes, on the sofa or in bed; get out, look around and take advantage of a city with so much to offer.  keeping yourself updated with the Mester activity guide, and of course here on our blog, there’s no excuse for being bored out of class!  No matter what your taste is – whether it’s loud pop music and dancing til dawn or a quiet afternoon spent at an art gallery, we’ve got something for you!

Firstly, tonight:  a stage production of Caligula, written by Nobel Prize winner Albert Camus, is being shown at the Liceo Theatre, right in the heart of Salamanca.  Dealing with themes such as the difficulty of dealing with maturing into adulthood, the consequences of power and the existence (or lack) of love in ones life, the play is an epic and a must see for ny literature or theatre lover.  Directed by Santiago Sanchéz Serra, tickets are available at 12, 16 and 20 Euros.  The show starts at 21:00h tonight (Friday 5th February) – so you’ll leave just in time to start your night out!

The spooky imagery from Erwin Olaf

The spooky imagery from Erwin Olaf

For a quieter following day, why not take a trip to one of Salamanca’s many art galleries?  DA2 are hosting the best works of Dutch contemporary artist Erwin Olaf.  Called “Darts of Pleasure“, the exhibition will occupy the entire ground floor of the gallery.  The work on show, we can guarantee, will not leave you indifferent.  From photos, to video footage to films,  it really is worth a visit!

DA2 - one of Salamanca's great art galleries!

DA2 - one of Salamanca's great art galleries!

Furthermore, if art’s your thing, check out the new exhibition Visión de Oriente por Occidente.  Hosted by the Santo Domingo de la Cruz gallery, the exhibition runs until 18th April.  Bringing us memories of Persia, China, India and Japan, there is all manner of art and objects on display.  From porcelain minatures, to paintings, maps and recordings, it really is a trip to another world and something to enjoy on a quiet afternoon weekend!

For a little more rowdy excitement, however, Sunday’s your day!  Returning to the Liceo, the theatre will be showing “Flamenco 4 Estaciones” on Sunday 7th February at 18:00h.  For 5 Euros, the show explains the theory, application and practice of one of Spain’s most traditional expressive art forms. With a distinctly pedological feel, the show is ideal for the younger audience, a truely family affair, communicating this typical Spanish dance to children and adults alike.

Learn about Flamenco!

Learn about Flamenco!

No matter what it is you decide to do with your weekend, do something!  Taking a language learning trip is a great experience and should be thoroughly taken advantage of, not spent watching tv or doing something you could do at home!  So have a look at the activity guides, plan your day and open your eyes to all Salamanca has to offer!

Search Goes on for Remains of Lorca

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

This week the excavation has begun to look for the remains of famed poet Federico Garcia Lorca, along with other key Spanish figures who were killed around the same time.

The excavation is taking place in Granada where they are believed to have found 6 graves. The first stage of the excavation will take place over 200sqmetres and will find 4 of the 6 graves. In the second stage, the other two graves will be exhumed and examined.

There is a fair amount of controversy around the exhumation because of the fact Lorca’s family refuse to provide DNA samples, which would obviously help with the identification, saying they prefer the remains to be left in peace. they have also not attended several press callings and significant meetings surrounding the event.

It’s an event which we’ve followed greatly at the Mester blog, not only because of our Spanish school in Granada but because the findings will be very significant to Spain and poetry lovers world wide. Read more about the Lorca story here.

The Mystery of Lorca’s Grave Continues…

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

After publishing our post about the hunt for Lorca’s body just a few short weeks ago, more details have come to light which have added even more fire to an already mysterious story.

Federico García Lorca, one of the world’s most important and significant poets, was killed by Nationalists during the Spanish Civil War.  From an incredibly fertile period, his contemporaries included Luis Buñel and Salvador Dalí and his work continues to be the subject of much study and respect throughout the world of poetry.

Lorca, Dalí y Buñuel together, with José Moreno Villa and José Rubio Sacristán.1927 - Madrid, Spain

Lorca, Dalí y Buñuel together, with José Moreno Villa and José Rubio Sacristán.1927 - Madrid, Spain

In September this year, land analysers began to search for anomalies in the ground where his body was believed to lay, hoping to start excavation on finding land with signs of being interfered with by man.  The retrieval of his body would be a great relief for his family, the people of Granada and poetry lovers throughout the world.

Now however new news has come to light, thanks to the excavation team, that his grave was interfered with just a short time after his death.  It is a conclusion based on the geo-radar evidence of the excavation team which has been thoroughly searching the area during the last month.

The most significant anomaly lays round a piece of land which lies alongside the grave.  The technical images show a break in the surface which, although not noticeable at a superficial level, is highly significant to the trained expert eye.  They reckon the disturbance to have taken place just a short time after the death – and because it is such a precise place where the moving of ground has taken place – right next to the grave – experts assure that whoever removed the body of Lorca knew exactly where to look, there would have been very little searching involved.  Ian Gibson, famed biographer, is said to be very affected by the news, a story which he has been following more than anyone.

Photo from the www.ABC.es report, all rights reserved.

Photo from the www.ABC.es report, all rights reserved.

The findings come at a relevant time for those interested in poetry, and specifically Lorca.  The International Federico García Lorca Prize will be given out tomorrow, with a sum of 100 000 Euros!  It’s the sixth edition of the prize giving and is an event highly anticipated by the poetry crowd.  One of the favourites to win is the Argentinian poet Alfonso Nassif – though competition’s tough, it will certainly be an exciting finish!

It’s also a significant time for Lorca fans because of a recent film, starring British actor Robert Pattinson.  The film, Little Ashes, is set in 1922 and tells the tale of Salvador Dali, Luis Buñel and Federico García Lorca meeting at university in Madrid – at a time when the once repressed Spain began to flourish under the influence of new art, music and ways of thinking.  A historic tale which shows how the artistic lives of these three renowned artists met, it’s a great picture for anyone interested in learning about Spanish culture.

Granada, Lorca’s home city, really is a truly magical place with so much history. To learn Spanish in Granada really is a fantastic experience!  Being something you’ll never forget!

Spanish School Newsletter! October 2009 | Salamanca

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009
Enjoy Your Spanish typical dinner

Enjoy Your Spanish typical dinner

Now You can download the cultural program of our school. All the activities like conferences, escursions, films, salsa and sevillanas courses, cookery class and of course all the dinners and tapas tour!
Salamanca October 09 Newsletter

Great Month for Poetry in Granada!

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

In the world of poetry this month, all eyes will be on Granada.  There is not only the search for his remains but a poetry festival too: “Poesía en Resistencia”.

Activities Program on Granada

Activities Program on Granada

Land analysers have already begun the hunt for the remains of the famed Granada poet, killed by Nationalists at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War.  A talented, unique poet, Lorca is from a rich cultural generation – with contemporaries such as Luis Buñel and Salvador Dali.  Monday saw those involved in the search for his grave begin to mark out land, where they suspect the remains lay.  They are currently searching for anomalies in the land – areas which could have been interfered with by man – and will begin the excavation as soon as they confirm their findings.

Should his remains be found, not only for his family, it will be a great relief for the world of poetry too: his influence and character is still very much present throughout Spain, though never more so in Granada.  A city full of culture, it will see the celebration of the “Poesía en Resistencia” from 24th September until 3rd October.  It’s a festival set to not only promote poetry through the region, but to draw attention to ethical compromise and the need for a change in today’s society.

An example of some of the stunning Granada

An example of some of the stunning Granada

It’s not only through poetry this message will be transmitted however.  There will be a whole of artistic and creative mediums involved – readings, concerts and video-creations to name but a few.  The festival’s climax will be be celebrated on Saturday 3rd October in the Animasur local, with a presentation of a scenic piece by La Palabra Itinerante.

Entry is free and the programme really is incredibly varied – from a rock concert to a quiet poetry reading to a flamenco show – there is something for everyone!  And bear in mind, the festival is not just the only attraction but Granada itself is a beautiful city with plenty to do too – mixing a rich culture with a university feel, there is an incredible amount to see and enjoy.  

The Alhambra Palace for example is one of the biggest attractions in Spain

- with each room bigger and more beautiful than the last, it has some amazing stories to tell!