Mini sagas "Amigas": A creative writing project with students from EOI Pamplona

Good news!

We are taking part in "Escuelas Amigas" a very inspiring initiative of Laura Escribano, the head of studies of EOI Pamplona, aiming at fostering collaboration among Escuelas de Idiomas.

Our school is collaborating with an English teacher from EOI Pamplona, Carol Sáez,  and her C2 students in a creative writing project titled MINI SAGAS AMIGAS, whose end product can be found on this Padlet.

 Thanks for your amazing mini sagas!

The next step is to read the mini sagas written by Carol's students and vote for your favourite here. 

CORRUPTED PRINCIPLES

The road was slippy with rain. From his window he had a good view of the down hill road. He saw the rearless child on a bycicle approaching at higher speed than needed for such a steep downhill. His mouth watering in anticipation... his camera was ready!!

THE IMPORTANCE OF WEARING GLASSES

Overcrowded underground

-Keep away from me, please!

-What's the matter?

-You are a giant coronavirus, bad times for you!

-No, I'm not. I'm Li Kequiang... Your glasses are under your chin.

Sorry, I'll put them on... Nice to meet you, Mr Li Kequiang

- Likewise, Mr Trump.

CHANGES IN VISION

Schoolgrounds, cold and dangerous.

Pestie has arrived.

He looked specially green and yellowish. HE TOUCHED ME!!! I was scared, so I insulted him. Everybody laughed. He took my dad's tie from me - I could breath- Then, he gave me his glasses, I could finally see!

I WAS THE SICK ONE!

WILL YOU?

That day I felt really anxious because I was waiting for it and started thinking it was never going to happen.

My boyfriend got extrimely nervous. Suddenly, he reached out his hand holding a small box.

I opened it and was astonished by what I saw.!

VAT is not included!!!

BONDS OF INNOCENCE

Different cultures, separate ethnic groups. However, best friends at school.

No sooner did they grow than prejudices were meekly assumed. Years of distrust and misconceptions followed.

Then S has a pram.

Now, jump off the barriers.

Go, M, go!

An accomplice smile over the innocence stirred their lost friendship.

SPANISH PICARESQUE

During the Barcelona Olympics, next to the "Sagrada Familia", an Italian car had been fined for improper parking.

The Italian never understood why he had two identical fines at home when back from vacation.

A Spanish driver also parked imprperly and simply put the first Italian fine on his windshield.

SILENCE

He woke up surrounded by darkness.

Silence.

He had some battery left on the phone but no signal at all.

Midnight.

His chest was burning, his clothes were stained.

Blood.

He felt anxious and trapped.

"Let me out!"

A scream was heard from six feet under the ground.

Then, silence.

HOW "YOU CAN NEVER TELL A BOOK BY ITS COVER" HAS STILL THINGS TO SAY

The phone was almost running out of battery yet I wasn't able to find out what I was seeking. Amongst the photo philters something was missing, they didn't reflect what my heart was singing.

For though I close my eyes, all I see is la vie en rose.

GAME OF CROWNS

Everyone in the Seven Kingdoms witnessed the death of every single one of the candidates to sit on the Iron Throne.

But in the end, Queen Daenerys Targaryen was able to reach her goal, only to end up dead.

It was a pity that Coronavirus also got to her.

THE DENTIST

I needed to see a dentist. I saw her name and I remembered her. We were schoolmates.

With this physical appearence, she could not be the same appealing girl I remembered. When she finished, I told her she was in my classroom.

She asked me: What did you teach me?

PRIORITATION

The virus has been finally cornered. It has been an intense fight and even though it was not a landslide win, after 2 billion deaths this fatal disease has been completely eradicated.

The victims are mainly concentrated in Afruca and South America where the population was more vulnerable.

RIP Famine

WE ARE ALL NOISE ANIMALS. OR ARE WE?

First, the screeching tyres, then the breathtaking scream and finally the thump.

We heard the bones cracking and the body hitting the asphalt. And then again the engine roaring, the raging multitude dragging the driver through the window, the lynching...

And the end: the rope creaoking over the dog's corpse.

Voting will be enabled until March 22nd and the winners will be announced on March 24th. Thanks in advance!

Enjoy!

To Kill A Mockingbird

Dear Bookworms,

Thanks for a truly moving and thought-provoking discussion of A Thousand Splendid Suns, a beautiful, heartbreaking and haunting novel of indestructible love in times of unimaginable destruction.

I know some of you have read the book but couldn't come yesterday so here you can find a worksheet with some of the key aspects we addressed at the meeting.

Our next reading will be another unforgettable title, Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird.

The meeting will be held on Friday, April 17th at 6:30pm in the library.

Hope to see you there!

Happy reading!

Bibliotheraphy: Read your way to better mental health

A growing number of therapists are recommending something heartening for depressed and anxious patients: reading a book.

The treatment is called Bibliotherapy and it is gaining force in the UK and the US to such an extent that it is now often referred to as "the newest alternative form of therapy". Bibliotherapy, however, is an old concept. The ancient Greeks put great faith in the power of literature, posting a sign above their library doors describing itself as a "healing place for the soul".

Bibliotherapy uses an individual's relationship to the content of books; it is often combined with writing therapy and has been shown to be effective in the treatment of depression, making patients emotionally and physically stronger. Reading a book should not be seen as a replacement for seeking help from a professional. However, the effectiveness of bibliotherapy means it is a viable alternative treatment for anyone who is adverse to using medications, or for those who have been on antidepressant medication long term, with no discernable improvement in their symptoms.

Being inexpensive, ready available and possibly profoundly effective, it is well worth giving bibliotherapy a chance to lift one's mood! For more information, read this article on the rise of bibliotherapy.

Literary Cafés

As a booklover and a coffee lover, I can't help posting about these emblematic places in which many famous writes scribbled down their brilliant thoughts.

I’ve picked out just a few of many well-known literary cafés that need to be added to your list of essential locations to visit!

CAFÉ LATINO in Ourense

An emblematic café at the heart of the old town that for more than 25 years has hosted concerts and art exhibitions. An ideal place to get inspired to have a literary chat.

CAFÉ DERBY in Santiago de Compostela

Opened in 1929, this modernist café used to have renowned writers among its clients such as Valle Inclán, Dieste and Díaz Pardo.

CAFÉ MAJESTIC in Porto

Another treasury café. Opened in 1921, it was the first Portuguese cafe that admitted women as clients!

CAFÉ EL COMERCIAL in Madrid

Founded in 1887, this café is the oldest continuously operating café in Madrid - was popular with impoverished writers and became an intellectual refuge during Franco's rule. It still retains a bohemian air.

CAFÉ DE L'OPERA in Barcelona

This is a historic café on Las Ramblas. Situated opposite the Liceu Theatre, Café de l'Opera has a sumptuous modernist interior with neo-classical details, and offers a relaxed ambiance for enjoying one of Barcelona's most emblematic streets.

4th Mini Saga Contest Results

Now that the voting poll is closed, here are the winners of the 4th Mini Saga Contest!

"I Will Survive" by Cristina Galdo

"The Murderer" by Manuel Romero 

"Making Things Clear" by Elisa Sande

Special thanks to the other finalists for their wonderful mini sagas and thanks as well to all you who have voted for your favourite, thus helping us to choose the winners.

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Hi Bookworms!

I really enjoyed discussing The Brooklyn Follies with you last Friday! Thanks for your contributions! They were all really inspiring and thought-provoking; I learned so much!

Looking forward to the next meeting, in which we will discuss Khaled Hosseini's A Thousand Splendid Suns.

See you on Friday, February 28th, at 6:30pm in the library. Save the date!

4th Mini Saga Contest: Voting now open

The finalists of the 4th mini saga contest have already been chosen. Thanks to all the participants for their great stories! Please, read the stories below and vote for your favourite one here. There will be three prizes and winners will be announced on January, 24.

A nightmare lullaby

Hatred is what I feel when I hear that repetitive noise. A piercing song that destroys my dreams with its ruthless tune. My head is about to explode. An endless tick, worse than the worst of raps, an unbeatable drill. I curse you, dripping tap! You woke me up again!

Beware of knives

The kitten was injured. A wound on its paw after playing with a sharp knife. When Alba arrived in the kitchen the floor was covered in blood. She rushed to the vet and once there they tried to stop the hemorrhage. It was a tragedy. She was allergic to cats.

Cold Fall
I had been up there for too long. The desire to run away became unbearable. Like a wild instinct. It was frightfully high, but I decided to jump. And I fell. And I realized that I wasn't alone. We were hundred of thousands, innumerable snowflakes gently swinging into the void.

Don’t be water, my friend!

It is well known that water is life and you make it more alive if possible.

You, rather hot or cold, will be my dark mate forever. The one who wakes me up in the mornings and the same one who keeps me asleep some nights. I need you coffee.

Environmental awareness

Since a toddler, I was taught to put the right waste in the right bin.

The green bin for the glassy-eyed werewolves; hard nuts to crack! The blue bin: the right place to dump cardboard-faced witches.

The brown one? Still waiting for the zombies who have devoured my beloved Ariadne.

Hands up!

Overwhelming silence; we are wearing our gala uniforms, forming line, facing each other. No way to hide nor to escape. The instructions are spinning in my head. Hands up! Stay in line! My partner is my mirror; panic in his eyes... A bagpipe starts playing, the muiñeira dance show begins!

Hunter hunted

The lights were off, no noise in the surroundings. The house was empty, no guard dogs nor visible alarms. The man introduced the skeleton key into the lock and opened the door stealthily. The walls vibrated with a loud “Happy Birthday!”. “Bad day for a surprise party” thought the thief.

I will survive

For seven years you've been the one that never failed me. Whenever I felt insecure I only needed you to feel powerful. You know every single inch of my skin better than I do and now you are leaving me... You know what? Goodbye. Other jeans will fit me.

Love at first sight

I remember that warm summer evening facing the sea with the lulling sound of the waves and daylight progressively fading before the sun set. I almost went totally crazy when I saw you and felt the sensuous and ripe taste of your orange skin... You were such a delicious peach!

Making Things Clear

My boss is calling me. I go there immediately. The company´s going badly and he blames me for not being a diligent, open-minded employee. Knock! Knock! Come in! I take my six-shooter off my pocket and I just blow his brains out. Hey boss, now you see what open-minded means!

Out of sight, out of mind

Her eyes tracked down the darkness through her binoculars. Shifting from here to there, the volunteer glimpsed nothing but deep gloom. Ominous silence. Out of the blue, desperate eyes crossed her soul through the lens...128 aghast eyes gleaming in the murk, standing on a boat, drifting in the sea.

Paperback Writer

Jack has a terrible hangover. He crawls to his desk where he finds another chapter of his novel. He doesn´t remember writing anything. Puzzled, he orders a pizza, leaves the door open and falls asleep. The pizza boy comes, puts the box over a pile and sits at the desk.

The Awakening

I woke up this morning and I climbed the tree. I jumped high enough and I ventured into the clouds until the shore. I dived into the ocean and I slipped away. I crossed the wood and I reached those railings. I opened their door and eventually entered the kitchen...

The Murderer

No sooner had the witness entered the courtroom than he immediately recognised the murderer. He recognised his icy eyes and the same white hand that had shot the poor black boy. Just then, the murderer, hitting the wooden gavel, spoke and said: Order! Order!. Does the defense have any questions?

The Stealer of Stars

Always a dreamer. He had always said he’d be an astronaut. He’d go to the moon and pick one of the stars to prove he’d been there. Since yesterday, his room is darker than usual. The sky finally asked him to give it back. Now, nights are brighter than ever.