School Blog

Federico García Lorca was a famous Spanish poet and theater director. He published numerous volumes of poetry during his lifetime. His lyrical work often incorporates elements of Spanish folklore, Andalusian flamenco and Gypsy culture, and cante jondo, while exploring themes of romantic love and tragedy.

Federico García Lorca was born near Granada in Fuente Vaqueros. He studied law at Granada University before relocating to Madrid in 1919. In Madrid, he was part of a group of avant-garde artists known as the Generación del 27, that included artist such as Salvador Dalí, Luis Buñuel, Juan Ramón Jiménez, Rafael Alberti, Jorge Guillén, and Pedro Salinas. Around this time, García Lorca was introduced to surrealism, a movement that would greatly influence his writing.

With the publication of his Romancero Gitano, García Lorca received significant critical and popular attention. The following year, he travelled to New York City, where he found a connection between Spanish cante jondo and African American spirituals.

When he returned to Spain in 1930, García Lorca cofounded La Barraca, a travelling theater company that performed both Spanish classics and his plays in small town squares. Despite the threat of a growing fascist movement in Spain, García Lorca refused to hide his leftist political views. García Lorca’s homosexuality and political affiliations likely rendered him a target for nationalist forces during the Spanish Civil War.

In August 1936, at the onset of the Spanish Civil War, García Lorca was arrested in Granada by Francisco Franco’s soldiers. He was executed by a firing squad a few days later, and his body was never found. 

As part of our programme for non-native Spanish teachers we offer a 1 or 2 wks monographic course related to Federico García Lorca. The programme combines an Intensive 20 Spanish course (Level C1/C2) with cultural activities related to Lorca's life in Granada. For further information have a look at the course progamme.

In June, Granada celebrates the Corpus Christi fiesta, whose origins go back to efforts made to "Christianise" the population after centuries of Moorish domination.

he Corpus Christi Fiesta is the biggest festival in Granada. This year it will start at midnight, on Saturday, 02.06.2024 with the lighting of thousands of bulbs and ends the following Saturday with a fireworks display.

With a history of more than 500 years the Corpus Christi fiesta is part of the most important traditions that the city conserves. Throughout its history it has served as a parenthesis in the daily life of the locals, propitiating some days of fun and vacactions. Granada offers a full range of cultural events, including the bullfighting festival, during these days.

The fair is usually in the month of June but does not have a specific date, because it depends on the Holy Week. The way to know the beginning of Corpus Christi is to count 60 days from Easter Monday. This will give you the feast day of Corpus Christi.

The atmosphere can be enjoyed both day and night. Enjoy the ride of elegant horse cars loaded with people dressed in the typical regional costumes, the flamenco atmosphere or the booths with all their adornments. In the Granada fair, unlike others, the public booths are interspersed with private booths so that the visitor can freely access each one of them.

During the week that lasts the fair it is necessary to emphasize 2 processions that cross the main streets of the city:

Every Wednesday of the fair La Tarasca, a mannequin wearing the clothes that will be fashionable in the following season, walks through the city on the back of a fierce dragon that seems to be surrendered at his feet. The big festival of Granada is organized around Thursday, departure of Corpus Christi, day in which the whole city crammed the streets. On the Sunday at the end of the Corpus Christi week a small procession is celebrated around the Cathedral.

Friday, 31.05.2024 / 21.00 h
Flamenco at the Taller Vimaambi
Meeting point: C/ Cuesta de San Gregorio nº 30 – 38 (Albaicín)
Guide: NO
Price: 15,00 €

Saturday, 01.06.2024/ 08.45-20.00 h
Daytrip to the Tropical Coast
Meeting point: Congress Palace
Guide: Juan
Price: 55,00 €
* includes transport, guide and entrance fees

Monday, 13.05.2024 / 18.00 h
Guided visit to the Albaicín
Meeting point: School
Guide: Juan
Price: 15,00 €

The Albaicín in Granada is one of the most charming neighbourhoods in all of Andalusia. This old Moorish quarter, located in front of the world-famous Alhambra, is a tangle of winding cobblestone streets, small shops and hidden restaurants. As we walk through its hilly pathways, we felt transported back into a different era. 

Friday, 17.05.2024 / 21.00 h
Flamenco at the Taller Vimaambi
Meeting point: C/ Cuesta de San Gregorio nº 30 – 38 (Albaicín)
Guide: NO
Price: 15,00 €

Saturday, 18.05.2024/ 07.45-20.00 h
Daytrip to Cordoba
Meeting point: School
Guide: Juan
Price: 70,00 €
* includes transport, guide and entrance fees

Tuesday, 07.05.2024 / 20.15 hrs
Tapas Tour
Meeting point: School
Guide: Blanca
Price: each student pays for their own drink*
* Minimum: 4 students

Saturday, 11.05.2024 / 08.45-20.00 hrs
Excursion to the Tropical Coast
Meeting point: Palacio de Congresos
Guide: Juan
Price: 55 €*
* including transport and guide

BOOKINGS AT THE OFFICE:

Hammam Al-Andalus
C/ Santa Ana, nº 16 - 18009 Granada
For more than eight centuries of Muslim customs, the Arab baths have been part of
Granada's culture.

Enjoy a Flamenco show at any time of the week!
We can inform you about availability and prices in different places!

On 19 April 2024 the tenth edition of the Spanish song contest has taken place at the II Liceum Ogólnokształcące in Racibórz, Poland. As in the past, our school has participated in the event and has offered a free 1 week Spanish course for one of the winners. We were present in the promotional materials and during the gala concert.

The song contest was magnificent. Participants came from all over the country. The level of performances was fantastic.

The prize of Escuela Montalbán was won by one of the following participants: Zuzanna Hezner, Patrycja Baran, Weronika Kramarczyk, Zuzanna Szpilarewicz, Zofia Pawlik, Mateusz Przebindowski, Natalia Smagacz, Szymon Tucki, Milena Szuster.

Thursday, 02.05.2024 / 20.15 hrs
Día de la Cruz: ¡Nos vamos de tapas!
Meeting point: School
Guide: Marisa
Price: each student pays for their own drink*
* minimum: 4 students

Saturday, 04.05.2024 / 08.45-20.00 hrs
Excursion to the Alpujarra Mountains
Meeting point: School
Guide: Juan
Price: 55 €*
* includes transport, guide, ham tasting, insurance

This is, in fact, one of the most popular holidays in Granada, which will take place on the 3rd of May. Year by year, Granada has been a host city for thousands of visitors from all over Spain who want to enjoy this special day in a unique atmosphere.

This festival was founded by St. Helen in the 4th century who wanted to show special respect for the cross upon which Jesus was crucified. As the history tells us, St Helen had a son who dreamed of a cross, which would help him to win a battle he was losing. So, a large cross was built by his troops and then carried into the battle, which ultimately was won. The family was inspired by it so much that they converted to Christianity. St. Helen went to Jerusalem to find the authentic cross, which performed miracles, and urged people to continue worshipping after her death. The modern celebration tradition of the cross dressing has been revived in the 18th century.

Nowadays in Granada the City Council runs a competition to promote the tradition. A lot of crosses - decorated by thousands of carnations - compete for the prize. Moreover, courtyards, streets and squares, shops windows and schools are part of this contest too. As a result, Granada is decorated by thousands of flowers that perfume the city with amazing aroma. Women and children wear typical andalusian dress; decorate crosses, dance and sing. The Granadines walk around the city visiting the crosses, dancing and celebrating this special day.

We advise you to visit Plaza Larga, Casa de los Pisas or calle Zafra in Albaicin and the Corrala de Santiago in Realejo where crosses get the best prize every year. Moreover, Plaza del Carmen or Plaza Bib-Rambla and its surroundings are great places to enjoy the beauty of this tradition. There you can watch flamenco performances during the afternoon or evening on the 3rdof May.

Tuesday, 23.04.2024 / 16.00 hrs
Guided tour of the Albaicín
Meeting point: School
Guide: Francisco
Price: 10,00 €

Thursday, 25.04.2024 / 17.00 hrs
Walk through the Alhambra forest and the Carmen de los Mártires
Meeting point: School
Guide: Marisa
Price: 10,00 €

BOOKINGS AT THE OFFICE:

Hammam Al-Andalus
C/ Santa Ana, nº 16 - 18009 Granada
For more than eight centuries of Muslim customs, the Arab baths have formed part of Granada's culture.
part of the culture of Granada.

Enjoy a Flamenco show at any time of the week!
We can inform you about availability and prices in different places!

Wednesday, 17.04.2024 / 19.15 hrs
Walk through the centre and visit of the exhibition
"Spinning Ahimsa" (Marilyn Villena)
Meeting point: School
Guide: Marisa
Price: 10 €*
* minimum: 4 students

Saturday, 20.04.2024 / 08.45-20.00 hrs
Excursion to the Costa Tropical
Meeting point: Palacio de Congresos
Guide: Juan
Price: 55 €*
* includes transport and guide

RESERVATIONS AT THE OFFICE

Hammam Al-Andalus
C/ Santa Ana, nº 16 - 18009 Granada
For more than eight centuries of Muslim customs, the Arab baths have formed part of Granada's culture.
part of the culture of Granada.

Enjoy a Flamenco show at any time of the week!
We can inform you about availability and prices in different places!