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Illustration workshop on “The Guadalquivir River and water in Cordoba”

October 10, 2024The workshop will be held on Thursday, October 10 as of 4:30 p.m.

CORDOBA

Casa Árabe headquarters (at Calle Samuel de los Santos y Gener, 9). The workshop will be held on Thursday, October 10 as of 4:30 p.m. 4 euros for the general public at the headquarters. No more than 15 people may attend.

3 euros: tickets purchased online, the officially unemployed, Casa Árabe Language Center students and Youth Card holders. Ticket sales on our website (in the section with information on each workshop) or at Casa Árabe’s headquarters in Cordoba (payment in cash or by credit card).

In Spanish.

Among the activities we will be hosting as part of Water in Al-Andalus at our headquarters in Córdoba, on Thursday, October 10, we will be hosting this workshop, led by Lola Araque. Sign up now!

The Guadalquivir (Al-wadi al-kabir) was crucial to Cordoba during the era of Al-Andalus, providing water for advanced irrigation systems that helped agriculture thrive, while also serving as a transport route for trade, thus contributing to the city’s splendor as a cultural and economic center. Today the Guadalquivir is a spectacular landscape that needs to be revisited.

During this workshop, we would like to emphasize the importance held by the river today, with a focus on the formation of the Sotos de la Albolafia (declared a Natural Monument in 2001), an exceptional example of “urban nature” in a space that flows parallel to the life of the city, while at the same time preserving its own ecosystem, which provides immense environmental wealth.

Similarly, the mills (some declared to be Andalusian Historical Heritage in 2009), draw major interest to the river route, because they reflect the use and exploitation of water in past times, as well as constituting elements of great appeal to tours, providing a heritage attraction which showcases this environment.

Part one: The workshop, which will have a total duration of 4 hours, is planned to start with a tour from the Molino de la Albolafia (Noria de la Ribera waterwheel) to the area near the Molino de la Alegría water mill. For one hour, photos and sketches will be taken (they will later be elaborated upon at Casa Árabe), introducing us to the importance of water, with the uses, origin, changes and developments in this heritage, which has been with us since the times of Al-Andalus.

Part Two: Casa Árabe. Practical workshop including 2-3 exercises. 3 hours approximately. The most practical part of this illustration workshop will take place at Casa Árabe’s headquarters. We will take a fresh look at the material from the first part of the activity, as well as the contributions that have been made.

After the tour along the river, we will draw and illustrate the ideas which arise around water, the mills, the plant life and the rich bird life which inhabits these sites. We will be working on watercolor paper specially prepared as bookmarks and postcards (material provided by Casa Árabe), or, if you prefer, you can use your own notebook or paper in any other format.

Materials: Although Casa Árabe will provide the materials needed for the workshop, we recommend that you bring your own materials like brushes and watercolors, as well. Once you have signed up for the activity, we will contact you to find out whether you have any such materials. 

Schedule: 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. (approximately).

Target audience: Anyone who is interested in illustration and the environment and wants enjoy a workshop at which we will be exploring techniques, with prerequisites in terms of experience, just a desire to learn. Children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

Number of participants: 15 people.