Farewell...

So...my time in Casa de la Ciencia comes to an end, sadly, I must say. I guess I have started to appreciate only now, when I have to leave, how amazing is the building I am working in. And how many new and interesting things I have learned from the exhibitions, my work and my colleagues. Did you know that “the tongue of the blue whale, the largest mammal on Earth, weighs as much as an elephant?”

I have had a chance to be a part of the museum team for 3 months and I must say I have enjoyed it a lot. To name few things I have done: I managed our English blog, developed and maintained TripAdvisor account, prepared collaboration agreements with hotels, participated in Feria de Ciencia (Science Fair) where apart from talking to children and their teachers I had a chance to hold a live owl (impressive!) and had an honour to contribute to several business meetings.

I could not wish for better colleagues who helped me to feel like a part of the team. Even outside working hours :) Also I could not ask for better integration moment than that when Erika let me borrow her Flamenco dress for Feria de Sevilla!

You know what is the advantage to have Spanish colleagues? They are always positive!  And this energy transfers through the building into your heart :)

And for any problem in your life the answer is only one: 

“No pasa nada!” 

(Don´t worry).

  I will learn from you guys and take this positive attitude to the next place I go!

Thank you!

Meet the people of La Casa de la Ciencia (VI) Iván

Ivan is a face of communication with the public. His phone rings almost every second. He is responsible for coordinating and managing all the visits that are carried out in the Museum. In fact, if some of the Primary school teachers read this profile, he or she may already know the voice of Ivan. "Often teachers ask for me when they come with their class for a visit; having so much talks ends up building a friendship."

The thing he likes the most about his job is to feel that he is contributing something to the society, to the public. “Here come kids, they learn, they have a good time… I like to think that a little part of this anonymous responsibility is mine. ”

His voice and adorable accent makes him perfect for this position. Ivan was born in Venezuela where his Asturian parents emigrated, even though his diction can be confused with the one of Canarians. He is therefore an intellectual (in the best sense of the word) result of the meeting of two cultures, two very different and very brotherly countries.

He studied Journalism in Caracas and came to Salamanca to do the Masters in American literature. "I like journalism, but I'm a frustrated scholar. I think I lack that element of curiosity and boldness characteristic of reporters."

At the moment he is combining his job in the Casa de la Ciencia, he is a PhD candidate in Literature. His thesis is about the work of Argentinian writer and journalist Roberto Arlt. This writer, born into an immigrant, poor and unbalanced family, became the best known columnist in Buenos Aires thanks to his language and manners and traveled to Spain to write his "Spanish Etchings".

 

When I accomplish my dream of having a PhD, I would like to continue learning Portuguese and live for a while in Buenos Aires. You can call me argentinofilo because I love their culture. What I like the most? To cook. Above all, rice in any form. The corn cakes as well are my specialty. I have been tempted to finally make my own bread. To have a bike rides – as a medium between means of transport and pleasure. The Venezualian and Spanish folklore.

Ivan has shared with us a group of very curious music. It is called Serenata Guyanese and its cultural ingredients are many and varied. From the south of Venezuela, Bolivar state and sing in four voices the most picturesque and traditional melodies.

Would you like to discover them with us?

Miniature Nature

 Those little trees, so fragile and vigorous, and, above all, elegant as heck... Ever feel curiosity? You are probably thinking about bonsais, right? Well, in fact the word "bonsai" in Japanese refers not to the little trees but to the art of cultivating them.

And it is a very delicate art indeed, like everything stemming from the country of rising sun. Skilled bonsai masters achieve the shrunken size of the plants by using techniques such as transplantation, pruning, wire fencing, clamping... The purposes of bonsai are mostly aesthetic contemplation (for the viewer) and the pleasant exercise of effort and ingenuity (for the grower).

 

 This weekend, our Science Museum presents free educational exhibition and workshop for all audiences!

• Friday May 23th: 18:00 to 21:00
• Saturday May 24th: 10:00 to 21:00
• Sunday May 25th: 10:00 to 15:00

The exhibition corresponds to the XVI Spring Exhibition by Seville Association of Bonsai Chokkan.  The exhibition will demonstrate the approach to common techniques of this ancient art of growing trees and plants. Members of the Association will present some of the Bonsai examples over time. The professor Eduardo Hidalgo from the Association will hold a workshop this Saturday on 24^th of May at 11:30am, where he will show the entire process of growing a bonsai tree from the scratch. A plant grown in a pot during the right weather conditions but without receiving specific treatment will be elaborated in parallel with the explanation by the expert.  This activity is aimed to all audiences and the entry is free until the seats are filled. In addition, all participants have the opportunity to win a bonsai tree by taking part in the lottery that will take place during the exhibition.

See you this Saturday!