School Blog

Tuesday, 14.08.2018 / 21.00-24.00 hrs
Openair Cinema at the Sacromonte
"Handia" (Jon Garaño y Aitor Arregi/Spain 2017)
Meeting point: Plaza Nueva
Guide: Marga
Price: 4 €

Thursday, 16.08.2018 / 14.45-21.30 hrs
Trip to Almuñecar Beach
Meeting point: Congress Palace
Guide: Juan
Price: 25 €*
* minimum 5 students - maximum 8 students

Saturday, 18.08.2018 / 07.45-20.00 h
Day trip to Córdoba
Meeting point: Congress Palace
Guide: Juan
Price: 65 €*
* includes transport, guide, entrance fees, insurance

I was really happy when I got the confirmation for my two-months internship from the Spanish school Escuela Montalbán. My work consists of translation and web design of the school's web site. Furthermore, I could calculate costs and complete data bases. The school offers a perfect opportunity for people who want to do an internship in the administration area. It never get's boring.

In addition to my internship I got offered language courses in order to improve my Spanish. When you are in the classroom it does not feel like lessons. The hours of class are filled with humour and exiting topics to talk about. You will not notice how one and a half hour will pass by. Of course, the educational part is not missing, and you will see progress like I did after one week only. Complex topics are explained very clear and the teachers do their best to make a complex topic transparent.

Let me tell you about accommodation now. I shared a flat with students from all over the world and different ages. It is an unforgettable experience which I totally recommend to everyone. Meeting new people -for some people- might cost some overcoming but people who travel in order to learn a language are nice. Another advantage is that you get quicker in touch with new people and create a friendship which lasts beyond your stay here.

Apart from the fact that Granada is a fantastic city for university students because it offers historical heritage as well as a good night life, Granada has a lot of parks where you can you can just hang out or have a good time with your friends. Some parks are really easy to reach but for some you have to make a little effort, but it is totally worth it. When you are in Granada you definitely should not miss the park Carmen de los Martires. From there you can see the town from the birds-eye-view and the park has a lot of beautiful flowers and fountains. It is right next to the garden of the Alhambra.

The garden of the Alhambra is called Generalife. It is composed of the Lower Gardens, the Generalife Palace and the High Gardens. Nowadays the denomination of the Generalife is commonly accepted as the Garden or Gardens of the Alarife, meaning the garden of the constructor or architect. First you will see the New Gardens of the Generalife, which connect the Generalife with the Alhambra, integrating them with nature.

Irene Tschemeretzki (Germany / 21 years)

Tuesday, 07.08.2018 / 21.00-24.00 hrs
Openair Cinema at the Sacromonte
"Goodbye Berlin" (Fatih Akin/Germany 2016)
Meeting point: Plaza Nueva
Guide: Ron
Price: 4 €

Thursday, 09.08.2018 / 21.00-24.00 hrs
Flamenco at the Alhambra Gardens
"Flamenco Lorquiano" (Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía)
Meeting point: Plaza Nueva
Guide: Paco
Price: 17 €

Saturday, 11.08.2018 / 08.45-20.00 h
Day trip to the Alpujarra Mountains
Meeting point: Congress Palace
Guide: Juan
Price: 50 €*
* includes transport, guide, ham tasting, insurance

Tuesday, 31.07.2018 / 21.00-24.00 hrs
Openair Cinema at the Sacromonte
"Rosalie Blum" (Julian Rappeneau/Francia 2015)
Meeting point: Plaza Nueva
Guide: Marga
Price: 4 €

Wednesday, 01.08.2018 / 20.00-21.30 h
Visit to the Arabic bath Aljibe de San Miguel (includes massage)
Meeting point: C/ San Miguel Alta, nº 41
Guide: No
Price: 30 €

Thursday, 02.08.2018 / 14.45-21.30 hrs
Trip to Almuñecar Beach
Meeting point: Congress Palace
Guide: Juan
Price: 25 €*
* minimum 5 students - maximum 8 students

Saturday, 04.08.2018 / 08.45-20.00 h
Day trip to the Tropical Coast
Meeting point: Congress Palace
Guide: Juan
Price: 55 €*
* includes transport, guide, entrance fees, insurance

• Activities are organized for all Spanish levels
• Dates and activities may be subject to change.
• Students enroll and pay for all activities at the school.
• The school may cancel activities in case there is not a minimum of participants

What: Lorca y Granada en los Jardines del Generalife en la Alhambra
When: July 19th – September 1st, 2018
Where: Alhambra, Teatro del Generalife

The grand show Flamencolorquiano is the conjunction of two major aspects of Spanish culture and the best of both worlds: it combines the works of the famous poet Federico García Lorca and the art of modern Flamenco dance. On top of that it takes place in an open-air theatre located in the breath-taking Alhambra district, Granada's major attraction. The presentation includes, of course, choreographic dance and music but also provides scenic performances, arrangements of Lorca's poems, songs and stage plays.

This year the ensemble of the Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía performs on stage. It is the splendid world leader of Flamenco dance displaying both tradition and modernity up to avantgarde challenging the audience and, at times, astonishing us and leaving us with a sense of surrealness. Singer María Terremoto, amongst others, will bring Lorca's words and texts to life with special collaboration with Flamenco singer Arcángel.

The event started off in 2002. Thus, this year we are looking forward to participating in its 17th edition. Every year it is staged by various Spanish and international directors. Originally the event was created by Rafael Estévez, the most successful choreographer of Flamenco dance. This time he is directing the show himself supervising the artwork and dance, the musical concept, arrangement of the texts and the scenery.

Federico García Lorca who was born near Granada and was murdered by fascists at the beginning of the Spanish civil war, is considered maybe the country's most famous modern writer and is well-known all over the world. He studied in Madrid where he became close friends with Salvador Dalí. Lorca's poetry collection Romancero gitano was the best selling work of poetry in 20th century Spain.

Escuela Montalbán, our Spanish language school, will be organizing group excursions to the Flamencolorquiano every week throughout the duration of the event. If you like to join the event after your Spanish course, just subscribe to the list at the school's pinboard.

The language school Escuela Montalbán (Granada, Spain) in the city center is a cosy and matey place. It is situated in a small building on two levels with three small class rooms each. You get to know all the staff very quickly as there are about 15 people working here and some of them are – good for them – on holiday as it is high summer time at the moment.

The first and third week I took part in courses with only three students plus, of course, the teacher. We had two classes per day starting with a grammar class followed by a conversation class. The school's administation goes to great length in organizing the courses concerning the students' levels. They really try to form courses consisting of people with a similar level of Spanish in order to make the classes effective and useful. I also took private lessons during one week which I can recommend because it is super-intensive and very effective when the teacher concentrates fully on you.

As far as I am concerned, I do not only study at this school but I also do an internship under supervision of Margret Fortman who is the school's marketing and public relations manager. I review or write texts for the school's website. I have to admit that these texts are in English or German (I am from Berlin) as my Spanish is by far not yet good enough for professional purposes.

When I arrived I was classified level A2 in Spanish, certainly an accurate classification in theory but in daily life I felt like level zero basically. That has significantly changed in only three weeks thanks tot he lessons I took and thanks to teachers that gave them. All teachers are professional, highly motivated, kind and funny at times, too.

As I enjoy biking a lot, I bought a bike second hand and explore the city and the countryside in my spare time. The landscape has flat terrain when you go along the river Genil that flows through the city into the plains and there are of course hills and the Sierra Nevada. A mountain range that goes up to about 3000 m (9000 ft). And for all of you who like biking too or are into a little challenge: To the second highest peak leads a path suitable for bikes with an average gradiant of only 5 percent. One thing is for sure: the learning gradiant is much higher at Escuela Montalbán.

Ronny Dojahn (36 years / Germany)

Tuesday, 24.07.2018 / 14.45-21.30 hrs
Trip to Almuñecar Beach
Meeting point: Congress Palace
Guide: JUAN
Price: 25 €*
* minimum 5 students - maximum 8 students

Thursday, 26.07.2018 / 21.00-24.00 hrs
Flamenco at the Alhambra Gardens
"Flamenco Lorquiano" (Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía)
Meeting point: Plaza Nueva
Guide: PACO
Price: 17 €

Saturday, 28.07.2018 / 08.45-20.00 h
Day trip to the Alpujarra Mountains
Meeting point: Congress Palace
Guide: JUAN
Price: 50 €*
* includes transport, guide, ham tasting, insurance

• Activities are organized for all Spanish levels
• Dates and activities may be subject to change.
• Students enroll and pay for all activities at the school.
• The school may cancel activities in case there is not a minimum of participants

Tuesday, 17.07.2018 / 14.45-21.30 hrs
Trip to Almuñecar Beach
Meeting point: Congress Palace
Guide: JUAN / Price: 25 €*
* minimum 5 students - maximum 8 students

Thursday, 19.07.2018 / 21.00-24.00 hrs
Openair Cinema at the Sacromonte
"Estación de mujeres" (Leena Yadav/India 2015)
Meeting point: Plaza Nueva
Guide: MARISA / Price: 4 €

Friday, 20.07.2018 / 20.00-21.00 h
Flamenco at the Jardines de Zoraya
Meeting point: C/ Panaderos, nº 32
Guide: NO / Price: 20 €*
* optional dinner at the restaurant

Saturday, 21.07.2018 / 07.45-20.00 h
Day trip to Cordoba
Meeting point: Congress Palace
Guide: JUAN / Price: 65 €*
* includes transport, guide, entrance fees, insurance

• Activities are organized for all Spanish levels.
• Dates and activities may be subject to change.
• Students enroll and pay for all activities at the school.
• The school may cancel activities in case there is not a minimum of participants.

Tuesday, 10.07.2018 / 20.00-21.30 h
Visit to the Arabic bath Aljibe de San Miguel (includes massage)
Meeting point: C/ San Miguel Alta, nº 41
Guide: NO
Price: 30 €

Wednesday, 11.07.2018 / 19.00-20.30 h
Cooking workshop: We prepare a Paella
Meeting point: Escuela de Cocina - C/ San Marcos, nº 1
Cook: Javier
Price: 15 €

Thursday, 12.07.2018 / 14.45-21.30 hrs
Trip to Almuñecar Beach
Meeting point: Congress Palace
Guide: Juan / Price: 25 €*
* minimum 5 students - maximum 8 students

Saturday, 14.07.2018 / 08.45-20.00 h
Day trip to the Alpujarra Mountains
Meeting point: Congress Palace
Guide: Juan / Price: 50 €*
* includes transport, guide, ham tasting, insurance

Consequently, the annual International Festival of Music and Dance, which has started on the 22.06.2108 and will finish on the 14.07.2018 provides a perfect experience for lovers of music and dance.

The events take place at the King Carlos V Palace, in the Generalife Gardens, in el Patio de los Arrayanes in the heart of the Alhambra and various other of Granada's historic churches and buildings.

The Festival can trace its beginnings back to 1883 when a series of symphonic concerts were held in the King Carlos V Palace during the Corpus Christi celebrations. Later, in 1922, the Cante Jondo contest for Flamenco singers took place in the Alhambra with such notable artists as Federico García Lorca and Manuel de Falla attending.

The event now encompasses many differing styles and genres in its concerts. The late nights of Flamenco music and music from all around the world can be unofficially listened around Albaicín and Sacromonte.

The whole of the city comes alive with the sound of not only typically Spanish guitars, and flamenco dancers but also with the music brought to the city by its many visitors.

For further information visit: www.granadafestival.org