Tue. Dec. 8 at 8 pm on WKAR-HD 23.1 & STREAMING | Learn how Muslims, Jews and Christians in medieval Spain forged a common cultural identity.
The Ornament of the World explores a story from the past that is especially relevant today. From 711, when Muslim armies swept across the Mediterranean, until 1492, when Christian power was consolidated under King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, the era lasted almost 800 years. During this period, known as La Convivencia, the intermingling of these three groups led to a vibrant, shared culture of arts, architecture, science, music and letters, raising Spain to dazzling heights of glory and power.
A fascinating journey through the cities at the center of the story---Cordoba, Seville, Toledo and Granada---the film reveals what made this rare and fruitful collaboration possible and what ultimately tore it apart. Blending evocative location cinematography with dramatic animation, the film is based on the book by Maria Rosa Menocal and directed by Michael Schwarz.
Filmed on location, The Ornament of the World also highlights stunning architectural wonders, such as the Great Mosque of Cordoba, medieval synagogues in Toledo, the Alcazar in Seville and the Alhambra in Granada. Changing minimally over the centuries, the historical areas of these cities---with their cobbled streets, ancient mosques and tiny synagogues---bear powerful witness to the people who constructed them.
Watch the special at video.wkar.org before or after the premiere date.