Heritage workshop: ‘Reading and ceramics’

In this workshop, two activities were carried out: one on reading and the other on ceramics.

The participants were seated around a table and, in the centre, the art educator on literature introduced herself and talked a little about her professional career to break the ice a little. Find out more about art educator Xaro here.

She then showed them the books he was going to present, "La carabassa Tomasa", and explained its subject matter. It is a book about the popular culture and traditions of the area and is suitable for all audiences. It contains a popular history, a brief description of the beginnings of the pumpkin, a related game and some typical recipes to make with this ingredient. At the end of the book there is also a vocabulary in the Valencian language to learn popular words of the area.

During the reading of the book, using improvisation and dramatisation, the different situations were explained. There were faces of surprise and surprise, especially from the young people, because there were words, phrases, or popular sayings that they didn't know, but the older people were happy and satisfied to see that they knew about it. It has been a transformative learning experience to see how older people explained to young people what they did not understand, as well as giving them information about what life was like in the past and the differences with today.

When the narration was over, the book was commented on: whether they liked it or not, how they felt... most of them answered that they liked it very much and that they wanted more.

Afterwards, Sonia, the art educator on ceramics, introduced herself and explained what they were going to do with the ceramics. The idea is to make a clay pumpkin like the main character in the book. She briefly explained the technique of ceramics, the tools to be used, why it is important, the benefits for physical and mental health and, of course, the creative part. To create a suitable atmosphere, while the participants were getting ready by putting on their aprons, she played relaxing music that lasted throughout the creation process.

They began to create their piece of art, while Sonia, attentive always, answered their questions. People who have already practised this technique, who have more skills, or who simply like to create, could be seen to be calm, happy and absorbed in their work. On the other hand, there were people who were more hesitant, thinking that they didn't know how to create, that this wasn't their thing and that it would surely turn out badly. Thanks to the confidence that was given to them, in the end they all enjoyed creating, to such an extent that they finished later than expected.

The activity ended with a snack with traditional sweets for the participants.

Their impressions, when we asked them, were that they enjoyed it very much. They think that these activities are necessary for all audiences and that they should be carried out more often.

Learning never stops

These activities can be very productive by introducing them in neighbourhood communities, associations, schools, institutes, etc. The books can be very varied and on different themes (Christmas, Easter, the seasons...), without losing the roots of popular culture, oral tradition, customs, so that young people have knowledge and learn by interacting with older people.

For young people, it is a way to enrich themselves intellectually and to socialise, leaving aside, for a while, the new technologies. For older people, especially those who are or live alone, it is a way to leave home, to relate, to feel useful and to contribute their knowledge, wisdom and experience to this society. For older people who have not been able to go to school or have done so for a short period of time, these types of activities are very gratifying because they continue to learn at their age.

Those of us who have carried out these activities have observed and, above all, have been surprised by the capacity and desire to learn of all the participants. Knowing and letting others know about our roots, maintaining them, promoting art in all its aspects, imagination, creativity, socialising, empathising, through workshops and activities, are fundamental for progressing as a society.