The flight between Auckland and Dubai takes 17 hours and 20 minutes. It's a long flight and the best way to survive in it is reading. The Grandma is reading The medallion of Arissis, a fantastic book that Claudia Jones recommended her some days ago.
The book has been written by J.A.Martín and it is the first book of Corazón de Tinieblas (Heart of Darkness), an epic story told around the secrets of the Holy Scriptures of Tarnak and his lost story.
The Grandma is a great fan of J.R.R.Tolkien stories as well as the Arthurian Cycle in Britain. Before her visit to New Zealand she was talking about the figure of King Arthur and his influence in modern literature. During her trip to New Zealand, she discovered Hobbiton, the beautiful place where were filmed The Lord and the Rings and its sequels.
The medallion of Arissis combines these sagas and create an atmosphere of mystery which helps the great narrative giving to it a perfect internal tempo and an amazing external one. The novel has great influences of the Tolkien's world in its plot and Arthurian Cycle in its writing and if you join the best sources with an excellent narrative, you obtain a wonderful story full of unforgettable moments.
The first edition is in Spanish but we hope we can enjoy Catalan and English ones very soon. It's only the beginning to the world of translations.
Don't hesitate and run to your closer bookshop or Amazon, if you don't like to go out, and get this amazing book. You won't regret. It's a must.
To help you, The Grandma is going to read a little introduction to cheer you to continue reading it...
Twenty years after the bloody battle of Órhadair in which more than one hundred thousand souls lost their lives, Írthimor the Necromancer returns to the gorges of Herdorín with the hope of finding the last of the Einherjar alive.
After that decisive confrontation against the lords of the Underworld in which there were neither winners nor losers, the lands of Gaia are sunk in a long lethargy. The power of the Shadows has decayed and the humans are dedicated to dispute the decay of their kingdoms, while the dwarves take refuge in their mountains and the elves in their forests, oblivious to any problem that is heard beyond their borders.
However, a dark power will be unleashed with the return of the Prince of Darkness...
This morning, The Jones have decided to visit the beautiful beaches of Santa Cruz Island. After their meeting with some scientists who explained them the last researching in the islands, the family has decided to go to the beach to relax, to study some English and to discover the wonderful world of the marine iguana.
The family has revised The Passive in Present and Past Simple and have read another new chapter of Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray. Finally, the family has been talking about the difficulties of working in some environments, the bureaucratic rules that difficult our work and the obsession of a great part of the society of getting as money as they without any kind of ethics or responsibility.
The Grandma has offered her opinion about her lifestyle where money is something necessary to survive in a capitalist system but it mustn't be the centre of our lives, a place destined for real important things like family, friends and health. She has been also talking about the importance of reading the documents from the beginning to the end and has remembered her old times studying phonetics with some spectrograms, an incredible tool to identified voices, sound and messages.
This afternoon, the family is enjoying the Ecuadorian beaches and they are listening incredible and amazing stories told by Claudia Jones who is an expert in The Galápagos Islands and who has invited the family to taste some of the best Ecuadorian chocolates. Thanks a lot, Claudia!
The marine iguana or Amblyrhynchus cristatus, also known as the Galápagos marine iguana, is a species of iguana found only on the Galápagos Islands that has the ability, unique among modern lizards, to forage in the sea, making it a marine reptile.
This iguana feeds almost exclusively on algae and large males dive to find this food source, while females and smaller males feed during low tide in the intertidal zone. They mainly live in colonies on rocky shores where they warm after visiting the relatively cold water or intertidal zone, but can also be seen in marshes, mangrove and beaches.
Marine iguanas vary in appearance between the different islands and several subspecies are recognized. Although relatively large numbers remain and it is locally common, this protected species is considered threatened.
Joaquín Jones is diving in the Galápagos Sea
Its generic name, Amblyrhynchus, is a combination of two Greek words, Ambly- from Amblus (ἀμβλυ) meaning blunt and rhynchus (ρυγχος) meaning snout. Its specific name is the Latin word cristatus meaning crested, and refers to the low crest of spines along the animal's back.
Researchers theorize that land iguanas, genus Conolophus, and marine iguanas evolved from a common ancestor since arriving on the islands from Central or South America, presumably by rafting. The land and marine iguanas of the Galápagos form a clade, and the nearest relative of this Galápagos clade are the Ctenosaura iguanas of Mexico and Central America. The marine iguana diverged from the land iguanas some 8–10 million years ago, which is older than any of the extant Galápagos islands.
It is therefore thought that the ancestral species inhabited parts of the volcanic archipelago that are now submerged. The two species remain mutually fertile in spite of being assigned to distinct genera, and they occasionally hybridize where their ranges overlap, resulting in the so-called hybrid iguana of South Plaza Island.
Claudia Jones. Ecological Activist. The Netherlands.
I'm Claudia Jones. I was born in Maastricht, The Netherlands. Maastricht is the greenest Dutch city and perhaps because of this, I’m an Ecological Activist. I love our planet and all things that it offers us. We must respect and protect it and the benefits of a minority can affect the lives of the majority. We must take conscience of taking care of our planet because we haven’t got another. We must protect natural sources and allow every country to protect them. Earth is a rich planet and all humans can live in good conditions if we respect us and we learn to share, not to invade.
-Good morning, Claudia Jones and thanks to attend us.
-Good morning. It's an honour.
-What is ecology for you?
-It’s respect for the environment, then for our planet. It’s growing paying attention to ideas of sustainability and respect.
-Do you think this green conscience is expanded around the world?
-It depends. Poor countries are more interested in protecting their environment because it’s their source of living but they are suffering terrible pressures from rich countries which only want to take benefits without paying attention to the consequences.
-Why?
-It’s another kind of colonialism. Some decades ago, colonialism consisted in invade some lands and obligate their citizens to adopt your rules and culture like language, clothes, religion… Now this is not necessary if you control the economy of these lands and their resources.
-Give me the name of a famous ecologist…
-It's impossible to offer only a name because we are a movement with an ideology, we haven’t got leaders and, perhaps because of this, we can keep our ideas alive overcoming political pressures. You can attack a leader, you can imprison him/her, but it will appear another person with the same message. You can jail him/her but it will rise another one. And the new leaders will be more powerful because they don’t only have their message, they will have the force of defending other people who are suffering injustices decided by the power.
-Then, you haven’t got a reference, have you?
-The ecologist movement is a reference in itself but if you’re asking about someone who I appreciate or admire, I must talk about Jean Goodall. She is a British primatologist and anthropologist who is considered the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees around the planet. She’s also a United Nations Messenger of Peace.
-Is she a reference for you?
-Of course, she is. Goodall's research at Gombe Stream is best known to the scientific community for challenging two long-standing beliefs of the day: that only humans could construct and use tools, and that chimpanzees were vegetarians.
-Jean Goodall remembers me Dian Fossey.
-Yes, it’s impossible to talk about Goodall without talking about Fossey. Dian Fossey was an American primatologist and conservationist known for undertaking an extensive study of mountain gorilla groups from 1966 until her death in 1985. She studied them daily in the mountain forests of Rwanda, initially encouraged to work there by palaeontologist Louis Leakey. During her time in Rwanda, she actively supported conservation efforts, strongly opposed poaching and tourism in wildlife habitats, and made more people acknowledge sapient gorillas. Fossey was brutally murdered in her cabin at a remote camp in Rwanda in December 1985. It has been theorized that her murder was linked to her conservation efforts.
-It must be difficult working in some African countries with these increasing rates of violence.
-I think so but it’s a risk that you must take if you love your work and you love these species that you’re trying to protect.
-Why do you think being an ecologist activist is not well seen in some countries?
-Because the most part of times, the protection of the environment is something opposite to the business and benefits of great economic holdings. In a world where money is in the centre of our lives and it seems that you have more success if you earn more, it’s difficult to do actions designated to protect the environment, which is a common thing, against the interest of this minority. It’s the old battle between the 99% and the 1%.
-How do you feel being a member of The Jones family?
-The Jones are very good people. We're a great family and they respect me and I respect them. We’re sensible people and we know that we can express our ideas without fear because we appreciate different points of views. This fact makes us better people. Respect is the essence of a relationship.
-How is a normal day with The Jones?
-What's normal? If normal means something that the most part of people do, and then we aren't a normal family because we do whatever we desire, whenever we want and wherever we stay.
-How long have you been studying English?
-I studied English since the Primary School. In the Netherlands we have four official languages and we study them in the Primary School: Dutch, English Frisian and Papiamento. There are also three more recognized languages: Limburgish, Dutch Low and Saxon.
-Then, you speak Dutch and English, don't you?
-Yes, I do... and Frisian and Papiamento.
-What can you explain about your life with The Jones?
-As I have explained before, the Jones offer me the possibility of being myself and this is something very important for an artist. You can express your opinions and everybody is going to accept your point of view although they don't share it with you.
-Which is your best memory with the family?
-I have lots of memories although I remember strongly when we decided to travel to the Galápagos Islands. It was a very especial moment for me because I love these islands and visit them again is a great present.
-Imagine that I want to adopt a pet. Recommend me one...
-You can adopt pets which are living in special centres because you’re offering them a new life. But a pet is not a toy and you must be sure you’re responsible enough to take care of it. A pet is not a caprice. It needs some attentions and company.
-Why do you think some people adopt exotic animals?
-Because they’re totally irresponsible. An exotic animal must live in its environment not at home but people are sometimes very selfish and they only think in themselves.
-What do you think about zoos?
-Zoos have changes a lot. They were a kind of animals’ museum but nowadays they are centres which try to help animals, especially those which are under danger of extinction. However, I prefer to change the idea of keeping a zoo by the idea of keeping natural reserves but, of course, this is very expensive and, at last, everything is a matter of money. It’s a pity and a shame.
-Thank you very much, Claudia Jones.
-You're welcome.
Birds falling down the rooftops
out of the sky like raindrops. No air, no pride. Birds. To a place without fear, with no moonlight. All I need are trees and flowers and some sunlight.
Today, The Jones have revised First Conditional and Question Tags. They're enjoying their lasts days in Japan and they are sad because they're leaving the Asian country but happy because they're travel to Galapagos Islands.
The family has visited Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, one of the most important zoos around the world and although they know the importance of these places to help animals, especially those which are under danger of extinction, they prefer to contemplate them in their real environment. They have walked across the entire zoo learning new things about animals and taking lots of photos. They have had the best guide that you can find, Claudia Jones, the member of the family who knows more things about animals and nature.
The Jones talked about lots of things while they were visiting the different areas. They have expressed their opinions about Educational System and about how new generations are the best in technology and digital tools but the worst in effort and argumentation. It's a great challenge for teachers and parents.
Finally, the family have been talking about animals and their preferences about having one of them as a pet.
Tomorrow, the family is going to visit Myoryuji Temple in Kanazawa and they're meeting the ancient world of ninjas and geishas.
Humans regard animals as worthy of protection only
when they are on the verge of extinction.
Paul Craig Roberts
The Grandma is buying the tickets to enter
The Ueno Zoo is a 14.3-hectare zoo, managed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and located in Taitō, Tokyo.
It is Japan's oldest zoo, opening on March 20, 1882. It is a five-minute walk from the Park Exit of Ueno Station, with convenient access from Tokyo's public-transportation network.
The Ueno Zoo Monorail, the first monorail in the country, connects the eastern and western parts of the grounds.
The zoo is in Ueno Park, a large urban park that is home to museums, a small amusement park, and other attractions.
The zoo started life as a menagerie attached to the National Museum of Natural History. In 1881, responsibility for this menagerie was handed to naturalist and civil servant Tanaka Yoshio, who oversaw its transition into a public zoo.
Michelle Jones with the flamingos
The ground was originally estate of the imperial family, but was bestowed, onshi, forming the first part of the name in Japanese, untranslated officially, to the municipal government in 1924, along with Ueno Park, on the occasion of crown prince Hirohito's wedding.
In August 1943, the administrator of Tokyo, Shigeo Ōdachi, ordered that all wild and dangerous animals at the zoo be killed, claiming that bombs could hit the zoo and escaping wild animals would wreak havoc in the streets of Tokyo. Requests by the staff at the zoo for a reprieve, or to evacuate the animals elsewhere, were refused.
The animals were executed primarily by poisoning, strangulation or by simply placing the animals on starvation diets. A memorial service was held for the animals in September 1943, while two of the elephants were still starving, and a permanent memorial, built anew in 1975, can be found in the Ueno Zoo.
Marta Jones with Shitty, a funny koala
Shortly after the March 1945 bombings of Tokyo, the Japanese placed U.S. Army Air Force navigator and bombardier Ray "Hap" Halloran on display naked in a Ueno Zoo tiger cage so civilians could walk in front of the cage and view the B-29 prisoner.
The zoo provides animals an environment similar to the natural habitat. In recent years, the old-fashioned cages of the past have been replaced with modern habitats, such as the Gorilla Woods, built after two well-publicized mishaps in 1999.
The zoo is home to more than 3,000 individuals representing over 400 species. The Sumatran tiger, and western lowland gorilla head the list of the zoo's population. Ueno has more species on exhibition than any other zoo in Japan.
Ana Bean-Jones with an adult panda
The zoo is also home to zebras, Japanese macaques, red-crowned cranes, white-tailed eagles and king penguins, along with goats, sheep, pigs, llamas, ostriches, and rabbits.
At some point, redistribution of the animals among Tokyo's other zoos, including Tama Zoo and Inokashira Nature Park, left Ueno without a lion. However, in response to public demand, Ueno borrowed a female from the Yokohama Municipal Zoo.
After the death of Giant panda Ling Ling in 2008, Ueno Zoo was without a member of this species for the first time since 1972. Two new giant pandas arrived from the Chinese Wolong Nature Reserve in February 2011. The male panda, Billy was renamed in Ueno to Līlī to emphasize his playful vitality. The female's name Siennyu was changed to Shinshin, referring to purity and innocence. The new names were based on a public poll. The final choices picked by the zoo were, however, not among top choices. Reduplication is very common in panda names.
Some Jones in the entrance of the zoo
Other animals housed at the zoo include Asiatic lions, Polar bears, Asian elephants, gorillas, Reticulated giraffes, Sumatran tigers, otters, red foxes, bats, toucans, tapirs, kangaroos, California sea lions, penguins, flamingos, pangolins, slow lorises, southern three-banded armadillos, fennec foxes, pygmy hippos, hippos, okapis, anteaters, crocodiles, turtles, lemurs, pelicans, puffins and black rhinoceroses.
Claudia Jones has remembered how Ueno Zoo works in collaboration with other zoos around the world and even with museums. She has been talking about The Natural History Museum in London, which is a natural history museum that exhibits a vast range of specimens from various segments of natural history.
The museum is home to life and earth science specimens comprising some 80 million items within five main collections: botany, entomology, mineralogy, paleontology and zoology.
Claudia Jones' recent memories in the NHM, London
The museum is a centre of research specialising in taxonomy, identification and conservation. Given the age of the institution, many of the collections have great historical as well as scientific value, such as specimens collected by Charles Darwin.
The museum is particularly famous for its exhibition of dinosaur skeletons and ornate architecture, sometimes dubbed a cathedral of nature, both exemplified by the large Diplodocus cast that dominated the vaulted central hall before it was replaced in 2017 with the skeleton of a blue whale hanging from the ceiling.
The Natural History Museum Library contains extensive books, journals, manuscripts, and artwork collections linked to the work and research of the scientific departments; access to the library is by appointment only. The museum is recognised as the pre-eminent centre of natural history and research of related fields in the world.
Merche Jones climbs Vermell del Xincarró, Montserrat
Today, The Jones have revised Countable & Uncountable before visiting the Palace of Versailles. The family has visited this amazing palace and has rested in its gardens sharing personal experiences and talking about their preferences in literature, music and places.
The Grandma has remembered that today, April 27, is the festivity of our Mary of Montserrat, patron of Catalonia, a black virgin very adored and respected by its populations, believers or not, that represents more than a religious symbol. Montserrat is also a symbol of cultural resistance during the darkest years of prosecutions and disctatorships.
If you didn't visit Montserrat, The Jones would recommended to do it. You will enjoy of one of the most incredible natural landscapes, full of activities to do; one of the most libraries around the world; and a spiritual place to rest for believers. Montserrat is much more than a mountain, it's the spiritual symbol of a whole culture which has resisted and survived along the history and which is alive and showing its black virgin to the world.
Versailles is a place of contrasts. For one hand you can visit the Palace but for other hand, in the same city stands up one of the biggest banlieues of Paris. The family has been talking about last French colonies in North Africa and its results nowadays in architecture, urbanism, immigration, social policies and human rights.
Joaquín Jones has offered his knowledge about Ildefons Cerdà's Urbanistic Plan in l'Eixample in Barcelona, an incredible plan which searched the convivence between all the social classes offering the possibility of living together, offering facilities to everyone and avoiding social exclusion.
The Jones have decided to rest in Versailles gardens and talked about their preferences and wishes. They have recommended some books. Ana Bean-Jones has chosen, Banana Yoshimoto's books and Claudia Jones has proposed Màxim Huertas with No me dejes-Ne me quitte pas.
Some members of The Jones and their preferences
Moreover, Merche Jones has talked about Fernando Aramburu's Patria and Michelle Jones about Masterchef's books.
Finally, Joaquín Jones has recommended Eduardo Mendoza's No word from Gurb and Aldous Huxley's Brave New Worldwhile The Grandma has chosen Herman Melville's Moby Dick and Faïza Guène's Kiffe kiffe demain.
The family has also talked about places to visit. Next week, they're going to leave Paris and their destination is unknown. Paqui Jones has recommended Aix-Les-Bains, a commune in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. It's as a beautiful place to visit although the family has talked about other interesting places like China.
Joaquín Jones is very interested in laboural conditions in this Asian country, especially now when May, 1st is arriving, and The Grandma, who is a great fan of human towers, has expressed her surprised about Chinese culture and its capacity to adapt to new goals without any kind of problems explaining the case of the Xiquets of Hanzghou as a example.
The Palace of Versailles, in French Château de Versailles, is a royal château in Versailles in the Île-de-France. It is now open as a museum and is a very popular tourist attraction.
King Louis XIV in the Palace of Versailles
When the château was built, the community of Versailles was a small village dating from the 11th century. Today, however, it is a wealthy suburb of Paris.
Versailles was the seat of political power in the Kingdom of France from 1682, when King Louis XIV moved the royal court from Paris, until the royal family was forced to return to the capital in October 1789, within three months after the beginning of the French Revolution. Versailles is therefore famous not only as a building, but as a symbol of the system of absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime.
Especially under Louis XIV, the senior nobility were pressured to spend large amounts of time at Versailles, as a form of political control. Louis XIV evolved a rigid routine of court life as a performance, much of which took place in front of large groups of people, at some points in the day including tourists.
Château de Versailles and its gardens
Building the château and maintaining the court there was phenomenally expensive, but did a good deal to establish the dominance of French style and taste in the whole of Europe, giving French luxury manufacturing advantages that long outlasted the fall of the Ancien Régime.
Louis XIV's expansion of the building was begun around 1661, with Louis Le Vau as architect.
It was not completed until about 1715, having been worked on by architects including François d'Orbay, Charles Le Brun, interiors especially, JulesHardouin-Mansart and Robert de Cotte.
André Le Nôtre began the gardens and structures in them. There were a range of satellite buildings around the grounds. While the main château building remains essentially intact, though without much of its contents, some of these other buildings have been destroyed.
Joaquín, Silvia, Claudia, Merche, Victor & Noelia Jones
The Jones have participated in the 116th Edition of the Paris-Roubaix road. This year, the organization has made an exception and the inscriptions have been opened to women. All the members of the family, except Eli Jones who is still missing in Loch Ness althoughis present in our memories, have participated in this fantastic race full of danger and emotions.
Víctor Jones has arrived in the fourth position being the best classified Jones and Claudia, Joaquín, Merche, Noelia and Silvia Jones have arrived in the top 20. The Grandma is still cycling, although the race has been closed some hours ago but, as you know, the most important is participating, enjoying and arriving.
The Paris–Roubaix is a one-day professional men's bicycle road race in northern France, starting north of Paris and finishing in Roubaix, at the border with Belgium. It is one of cycling's oldest races, and is one of the Monuments or classics of the European calendar, and contributes points towards the UCI World Ranking.
The Paris–Roubaix is famous for rough terrain and cobblestones, or pavé, setts,being, with the Tour of Flanders, E3 Harelbeke and Gent–Wevelgem, one of the cobbled classics. It has been called the Hell of the North, a Sunday in Hell, also the title of a film about the 1976 race, the Queen of the Classics or la Pascale: the Easter race. Since 1977, the winner of Paris–Roubaix has received a sett, cobble stone, as part of his prize.
The terrain has led to the development of specialised frames, wheels and tyres. Punctures and other mechanical problems are common and often influence the result. Despite the esteem of the race, some cyclists dismiss it because of its difficult conditions. The race has also seen several controversies, with winners disqualified.
From its beginning in 1896 until 1967 it started in Paris and ended in Roubaix; in 1966 the start moved to Chantilly; and since 1977 it has started in Compiègne, about 85 kilometres north-east of the centre of Paris. The finish is still in Roubaix. The race is organised by the media group Amaury Sport Organisation annually in mid-April.
The course is maintained by Les Amis de Paris–Roubaix, a group of fans of the race formed in 1983. The forçats du pavé seek to keep the course safe for riders while maintaining its difficulty.
Paris–Roubaix is one of the oldest races of professional road cycling. It was first run in 1896 and has stopped only for the two world wars. The race was created by two Roubaix textile manufacturers, Théodore Vienne, born 28 July 1864, and Maurice Perez. They had been behind the building of a velodrome on 46,000 square metres at the corner of the rue Verte and the route d'Hempempont, which opened on 9 June 1895.
Víctor Jones (centre) and other participants
Vienne and Perez held several meetings on the track, one including the first appearance in France by the American sprinter Major Taylor, and then looked for further ideas. In February 1896 they hit on the idea of holding a race from Paris to their track. This presented two problems. The first was that the biggest races started or ended in Paris and that Roubaix might be too provincial a destination. The second was that they could organize the start or finish but not both.
The race usually leaves riders caked in mud and grit, from the cobbled roads and rutted tracks of northern France's former coal-mining region. However, this is not how this race earned the name l'enfer du Nord, or Hell of the North. The term was used to describe the route of the race after World War I. Organisers and journalists set off from Paris in 1919 to see how much of the route had survived four years of shelling and trench warfare.
Originally, the race was from Paris to Roubaix, but in 1966 the start moved to Chantilly, 50 km north, then in 1977 to Compiègne, 80 km north. From Compiègne it now follows a 260 km winding route north to Roubaix, hitting the first cobbles after 100 km.
During the last 150 km the cobbles extend more than 50 km. The race culminates with 750m on the smooth concrete of the large outdoor Vélodrome André-Pétrieux in Roubaix. The route is adjusted from year to year as older roads are resurfaced and the organisers seek more cobbles to maintain the character of the race, in 2005, for example, the race included 54.7 km of cobbles.
Víctor Jones & the Lullian Wheels, the first computers
The Jones are still in Hogwarts enjoying the world of magic, spells and potions. Today, they have assisted to a Minerva McGonagall'sconferenceabout RamonLlull, one the most important European figures during the 13 century thanks to his knowledge in Philosophy, Teology, Science and Languages.
The Grandma has offered her point of view talking about S'Estaca, a wonderful possession in Majorca where Llull created a Language School joining the best students and masters of the century in an effort to transmit values and knowledge to arrive to be better people, in particular, and better societies in general.
The Ramon Llull's idea of using communication and dialogue between cultures and religions to avoid wars and conflicts converts him in one of the most brilliant and pacifist minds of his time. His influence in all kind of knowledge is demonstrated, especially in computers, where he's considerated the firstcreatorof a computing language and nowadays recognized like the Computer Science patron. In addition, The Grandma has also talked about the importance of salt and fennel in Sant Boi and Majorca's history.
Cristina Bean-Jones in Brecha de Rolando, Ordesa
After this interesting conference, the family has revised some aspects of grammar to improve little details, in this case with The Articles and the position of the adjectives in historical texts.
Following with the idea of creating compositions, TheJones have created some circular writings paying attention to the structure rules and they have practised some activities to eliminate information in searching of the true one. They have also read some interesting information about Ordesa, in Aragon and Joaquín Jones has explained some characteristics of the world maps and their scales.
Joaquín Jones and a fascinating old World Map
Finally, the family has played Cluedo before rescuing Susana Jones, who was locked in a small red English-style cabin box inside a picture. The rescue has been possible thanks to Owlie, ClaudiaJones's owl, who is a clever big white animal, with a great sense of orientation and a perfect hunter into the dark places, which was adopted from El Cim d'Àligues in The Montseny.
Ramon Llull (1232-1315) was a philosopher, logician, Franciscan tertiary and Majorcan writer. He is credited with writing the first major work of Catalan literature. Recently surfaced manuscripts show his work to have predated by several centuries prominent work on elections theory. He is also considered a pioneer of computation theory, especially given his influence on Leibniz.
Claudia Jones & Owlie in El Cim d'Àligues
Llull was born into a wealthy family in Palma, the capital of the newly formed Kingdom of Majorca. James I of Aragon founded Majorca to integrate the recently conquered territories of the Balearic Islands into the Crown of Aragon.
Llull's parents had come from Catalonia as part of the effort to colonize the formerly Almohad ruled island. As the island had been conquered militarily, the Muslim population who had not been able to flee the conquering Christians had been enslaved, even though they still constituted a significant portion of the island's population.
In 1257 he married Blanca Picany, with whom he had two children, Domènec and Magdalena. Although he formed a family, he lived what he would later call the licentious and wasteful life of a troubadour.
The Grandma visiting Ramon Llull in La Real, Palma
Llull served as tutor to James II of Aragon and later became Seneschal -the administrative head of the royal household- to the future King James II of Majorca, a relative of his wife.
In 1274, while staying at a hermitage on Puig de Randa, the form of the great book he was to write was finally given to him through divine revelation: a complex system that he named his Art, which would become the motivation behind most of his life's efforts. He finally achieved his goal of linguistic education at major universities in 1311 when the Council of Vienne ordered the creation of chairs of Hebrew, Arabic and Chaldean (Aramaic) at the universities of Bologna, Oxford, Paris, and Salamanca as well as at the Papal Court.
Ramon Llull with Samanta & Marta Jones
In 1315, he died at home in Palma. It can be documented that Llull was buried at the Church of Saint Francis in Mallorca by March 1316.
Llull was extremely prolific, writing a total of more than 250 works in Catalan, Latin, and Arabic, and often translating from one language to the others. While almost all of his writings after the revelation on Mt. Randa connect to his Art in some way, he wrote on diverse subjects in a variety of styles and genres. The romantic novel Blanquerna is widely considered the first major work of literature written in Catalan, and possibly the first European novel.
His first elucidation of the Art was in Art Abreujada d'Atrobar Veritat (The Abbreviated Art of Finding Truth), in 1290. The version used 16 figures presented as complex, complementary trees, while the system of the Ars Magnafeatured only four, including one which combined the other three.
This figure, a Lullian Circle, took the form of a paper machine operated by rotating concentrically arranged circles to combine his symbolic alphabet, which was repeated on each level. These combinations were said to show all possible truth about the subject of inquiry. Llull based this notion on the idea that there were a limited number of basic, undeniable truths in all fields of knowledge, and that everything about these fields of knowledge could be understood by studying combinations of these elemental truths.
The method was an early attempt to use logical means to produce knowledge. Llull hoped to show that Christian doctrines could be obtained artificially from a fixed set of preliminary ideas. For example, the most essential table listed the attributes of God: goodness, greatness, eternity, power, wisdom, will, virtue, truth and glory. Llull knew that all believers in the monotheistic religions—whether Jews, Muslims or Christians—would agree with these attributes, giving him a firm platform from which to argue.
Arguing is a fantastic method to learn new things, discover new points of view and realize that there isn't only a real truth, something that one family works every day: The Jones.
