We are traveling the length of historic al-Andalus, from Barcelona to Zaragoza to today’s Andalusia (southern Spain) asking ordinary people about convivencia.
What is convivencia? It’s a friendlier term for “coexistence” that was originally used to describe the strikingly positive relationship between Muslim, Christian, and Jewish communities in Islamic Spain a.k.a. Al-Andalus.
Below is an English translation of our first interview with a woman who works in La Baldufa bookstore in Montblanc, Catalonia.
Well, do you think convivencia is possible in today's world?
Here, yes. And among ordinary folks, the people, yes. The thing is, politicians are the ones who complicate things. Because for their own personal interests, they attack people who are totally not guilty, right?
That's true. And (specifically) is coexistence possible here (in Catalonia)…and in Palestine?
Here, yes. But I see it as difficult now (in Palestine). In the current situation, this is a war for their interests, political interests, religious interests, which makes it very difficult. If they don't get rid of Netanyahu, it will just keep getting worse every day.
I agree.
I'm against this war. I don't like it because the poor children, the people, are being killed. It's a genocide (happening) today.
That's true. Thank you very much. And this bookstore, La Baldufa, is the real deal.
It means the children’s toy “a spinning top” in Catalan.
Thank you so much. And, inshallah, we'll be back someday here in beautiful Mont Blanc.
Share this post