Mirrors of Paradise - ACE246.2

Southern Spain. Ruins of fortress. VO reading description of fifteenth century expulsion of non-Christians. Granada; landscape. Commentary explains that Arabs called this region "al Andaluz". Speech by Aga Khan IV, at the "Spain: Crossroads of Cultures" conference, Granada, June 1991, reassessment of cultural importance of Spain’s Islamic period with a view to opening a dialogue between Christians, Jews and Muslims, broken in 1492. Conference opened by King Juan Carlos. Illuminated manuscript (Canticles of Santa Maria) showing 13th century king, Alfonso X. Lombarda, musical group, performing Cancion de Animas. Commentary introduces organiser of the Granada conference, editor of resulting book of essays on the legacy of Muslim Spain, Salma Jayyusi, who believes that historians have deliberately ignored the rich history of this mediaeval period. Shuka, Moroccan musicians from Granada. VO explains their song. Alhambra. Juan Chambo, doing wooden inlay work, describes local culture as being the heritage of both Muslims and Jews, and talks about flamenco and guitars as coming from the Arabs.