Valencia: All Over the Place (Walks & Talks)

How do we fall in love with a city, someone, each other, ourselves?
The relationship between architecture, memory, and desire is the subject of this guided walkshop through Ruzafa, both the imaginary barrio and a real neighborhood.

in city mazes we count on love
to find each other in the dark
to thread a path one poem at a time

Poetry in translation. A city in motion. You, in love.

A perfect pre-dinner activity for mid-week. We'll walk the (un)familiar streets and pause to read/recite/write poems. How many ways can you meet a poem or a lover?! You'd be surprised...

We'll start outside the Parc Central at 19:00 and finish around the Mercado de Ruzafa by 20:30-ish in time for your Spanish dinner plans.

This walkshop experience is free. The host will pass a hat at the end, but no pressure. The point is to enjoy poetry and walking, to become a walking poem :)

Alexey is a storyteller who teaches criticism at Academy of Art University (San Francisco) and International Fashion Academy (Paris). In 2023 he was on the jury of CLEC Fashion Festival, had an art installation at the City of Arts & Sciences, and presented a one-man show "No Hablo Espanol" at conFusion Fest. He is also a host of Book Lovers Unplugged, a monthly literary open mic at the only English bookstore in Valencia. Most importantly, Alexey is a fulltime Gemini with ADHD.

What is blasco and how often do you need to ibáñez?
C'mon! "Everyone" knows this great Spanish writer, right?!
Let's discover an avenue with a history full of plot twists ...
University! Stadium! Hollywood! Wait, what?! And so much public art!
What can we learn about/from Valencia's smartest street?

We'll start at Jardins Vivers and finish at Estacion Cabanyal
This walk-talk experience is about 3 kilometers or a couple hours.
We'll finish in time for your dinner plans in this seaside barrio :)
To get back to city center you can take a bus, a train or a city-bike

We'll take it slow stopping for stories, selfies, ice cream, whatnot
The host will highlight curiosities and insights along the way
You're also welcome to just wander along in peace
An afternoon for introverts, expats & fab "misfits"

This walkshop is FREE. The host will pass the hat at the end for welcome donations to keep this project sustainable.

Alexey is a storyteller who teaches criticism at Academy of Art University (San Francisco) and International Fashion Academy (Paris). In 2023 he was on the jury of CLEC Fashion Festival, had an art installation in the City of Arts and Sciences and presented a one-man show "No Hablo Espanol" at conFusion Fest. He is also a host of Book Lovers Unplugged, a monthly literary open mic at the only English bookstore in Valencia. Most importantly, Alexey is a fulltime Gemini with ADHD.

Here & Now. Where exactly is that? And when does it start/end?
Calle Sevilla. Two blocks. One street. A whole life of a city.
How much can you learn about a neighborhood, a culture, a people, and your Self in just two city blocks?

When people say pay attention, how do we do that?
When we're told to be present, be present where?
Can we be impressed by anything anymore?

Urban Mindfulness Pilgrimage is about 60+ minutes guided walk, TED Talk, standup, popquiz experience. Wow or Borrring? Join us and decide for yourself.

We'll start outside the Book Lovers Valencia bookstore at 17:30
We'll finish in time for its monthly Book Lovers Unplugged Open Mic!
If you're running a bit late, don't worry... we won't get far :)

This walk-talk experience is FREE. The host will pass the hat at the end for welcome donations.

Alexey is a storyteller who teaches criticism at Academy of Art University (San Francisco) and International Fashion Academy (Paris). In 2023 he was on the jury of CLEC Fashion Festival, had an art installation in the City of Arts and Sciences and presented a one-man show "No Hablo Espanol" at conFusion Fest. He is also a host of Book Lovers Unplugged, a monthly literary open mic at the only English bookstore in Valencia. Most importantly, Alexey is a fulltime Gemini with ADHD.