April showers bring May flowers.
En abril aguas mil.
Asociación que pretende ser un lugar de encuentro entre personas interesadas en el desarrollo de actividades encaminadas al aprendizaje, utilización y práctica del idioma inglés de una manera relajada.
April showers bring May flowers.
En abril aguas mil.
Tomorrow we have the opportunity to listen to Luis expound upon William Morris, a person he admires greatly.
In fact not long ago Luis was our guide in the wonderful exhibition on William Morris in Fundación Juan March here in Madrid.
Tomorrow in our talks he will tell us about the Art of book binding too.
Wednesday 13th March 2024
Universidad Popular
San Sebastián De Los Reyes
18:30h
See you there!
"If I were asked to say what is at once the most important production of Art and the thing most to be longed for; I should answer; A beautiful house; and if I were further asked to name the production next in importance to be longed for; I should answer; A beautiful book."
William Morris (1834 - 1896)
Ver
un Mundo en un Grano de Arena
y
un Cielo en una Flor Silvestre;
tener
el Infinito en la palma de tu mano
y
la Eternidad en una hora.
Un
Petirrojo en una Jaula
pone
furioso a todo el Cielo
Augurios de Inocencia
https://web.seducoahuila.gob.mx/biblioweb/upload/AUGURIOS.pdf
At the age of
fourteen he was apprenticed to a master engraver.
At the age of
twenty one he earned his living as an engraver.
Booksellers
employed him to engrave illustrations for publications such as Don Quixote.
Don Quixote: ‘I
fight against three giants: fear, injustice and ignorance.’
Blake used the
written word to highlight beauty, humanity and life.
Cervantes in the
seventeenth century, Blake in the eighteenth century, Oscar Wilde in the
nineteenth century. A treasure trove of Literature.
Auguries of innocence by William Blake
And a Heaven in a
Wild Flower
Hold Infinity in
the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an
hour
A Robin Red breast
in a Cage
Puts all Heaven in
a Rage
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43650/auguries-of-innocence
A remarkable couple, Graham and Susana decided to retire in San Sebastian De Los Reyes. They spread good cheer wherever they went and not just during the season of good cheer that is Christmas, but all year round.
He had been looking forward to discussing Oscar Wilde as his students of English had performed The Importance Of Being Earnest in Nebrija University in the Nineties and it was warmly received. We did, in fact, start reading Wilde's clever play the following week.
Graham met Susana in Sweden where both worked as professors of Hispanic studies. Graham, an English gentleman and Susana, an extrovert Argentinian lady from Mendoza, the land of sunshine and good wine got to know one another at the meetings of mother language teachers in Sweden.
Here in San Sebasián De los Reyes they joined local
cultural associations including the French workshops of la Universidad Popular.
Graham wrote a beautiful short story that recounted his commitment to Spain and its democracy. He entered it in the Certamen de Relato Corto Sobre Memoria Histórica Democrática where he won the Accésit award.
Sadly, Graham passed away on the 7th October this year at the age of 87.
Susana, who
reads in Spanish, Swedish and French offered to donate his superb collection of
books in English to this association.
We are
tremendously happy and proud to accept her generous offer and to be able to
take care of and share them with you, our good friends.
IF MUSIC BE THE FOOD OF LOVE, PLAY ON.
The opening
lines of Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Leonard Cohen singing Anthem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic2CySkEAlg
Van Morrison singing Days like this. Backing vocals
Brian Kennedy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UUWkr4FUlo
Just sharing some music from a recent get together
Nobody’s problem
Carl Sagan talks about the greenhouse effect in 1985!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MResexA9Rg
Many thanks to Belino who shared this video and reminded us of the COP28
climate change summit that will be held from November 30th to
December 12th in the United
Arab Emirates.
In 1985 Carl Sagan said the only way forward was together through amity and consensus. Thirty eight years later at least the fact that 198 states and parties are taking part indicates a measure of interest, which is just as well. Time is running out.
As Greta Thornburg says, ‘Our house is on fire!’
To attend our conversations you can contact us at
asedow@gmail.com
BBC Learning English - 6 Minute English / Plants fighting pollution
Today we
will be looking at nature to help us solve the big issues of waste and
pollution.
Thanks for the suggestion, Mayca.
Happily, we have just received confirmation that we will have the use of the same room on the first floor in La Universidad Popular, Av Bauatal 18, San Sebastián De Los Reyes, Metro Baunatal.
There we await you on Wednesdays at 18:30.
If you are looking for a place to have a conversation in English in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere while improving your listening and speaking skills, please come along. Bring your ideas and we will be happy to accommodate them.
See you there.