The Alhambra, a cultural destination at Christmastime with free music, theatre and storytelling activities

Discovering the Alhambra and the World Heritage of Granada through music, theatre and the encouragement of reading. This is the objective of the special cultural programme organized by the Alhambra this Christmas aimed at children, senior citizens and families: “We want these free activities to become a tradition, a reason to climb the Hill of the Alhambra and discover the monument from other points of view during the school holidays” said the Director of the Alhambra, Reynaldo Fernández Manzano, who was joined in the presentation by  Anuk, a well-behaved, eight-year-old golden retriever and Shakira, a mischievous Pomeranian, the two heroes of Cuentos a cuatro patas (Four-legged stories). “These two will try to inspire in the children a passion for reading in an activity that will be taking place in the Plaza de los Aljibes on 3rd Janaury from 12.00 a.m.”, Fernández Manzano explained.
They were also accompanied by Eva Dengra, a dog trainer who specializes in animal-related activities, who participated together with boys and girls from the Manuel de Falla Primary School in Armilla in an improvised workshop, which for those taking part was over far too quickly and caught the attention of the tourists that were visiting the Alhambra this morning. Those interested in taking part in the activity should reserve their place in advance by email to actividadesculturales.pag(at)juntadeandalucia.es, from today until 28th December, as only a limited number of places are available.
Music and theatre at the Dobla de Oro monuments on 26th December
The musical activities begin on Saturday 26^th December when flamenco comes to the Casa del Chapiz, at Cuesta del Chapiz, 22, in the heart of the Albaicín, with guitarist Pablo Giménez Hect, at 12:30h and 13:30h. Discovering Granada is the title of the dramatized visit to the Morisco House in the Calle Horno de Oro, 6, in fifteen-minute sessions from 12:00h onwards; while Andalus music from the Maghreb and music from the Middle East will be performed by the Suhail Ensemble at the Dar al-Horra Palace in the Callejón Ladrón del Agua, 8 at 12.00h, 13.00h and 14.00h.
Sound towers. Music on the four winds  
On Sunday 3rd, visitors to the areas that are open to the public between the Gate of Justice, the Palace of Charles V, the Gate of the Wine and the Plaza de los Aljibes will enjoy various brief pieces of music in a recital entitled Sound towers. Music on the four winds, by an eight-piece brass band and the La Danserye group, from 13.30h-14.00h. Admission will be free although space is limited.
Other cultural and educational activities
Meanwhile, at the Fermasa trade fair centre at Carretera de Armilla s/n, the boys and girls who visit the stand organized by the La Alhambra Educa educational programme can take part in different activities and games that help them discover the Alhambra through light, shapes and colours.
From 19th December to 4th January, the Alhambra Bookshop will be organizing musical and other activities to promote reading for children from 6 years old. On Saturday 19^th December at 12.00 h., Wednesday 23rd December at 18.00h and Monday 4th January at 18.00h there will be a show entitled Cuentacuentos y magia (Storytelling and magic), while on Saturday 19th December at 18.00h there will be a workshop about mediaeval music.
The programme will be completed with different temporary exhibitions. These include Green Alhambra, Green Albayzín, on show at the Moorish House in the Calle Horno de Oro until 29th February, an exhibition of the prizewinning and other photographs from the competition organized by the Council of the Alhambra and Generalife, the Lower Albaycín Residents Association and the Department of Citizen Participation at Granada City Council.
Visitors to the Museum of the Alhambra can find out more about Household objects in the Nasrid house and The spouts in the Fountain of the Lions; while in the Wood of the Alhambra they can see A world of mountains, a tour around the earth’s mountains through 68 photographs captured by the lenses of the best nature photographers in the world.

For more information, please see www.alhambra-patronato.es