Here in Sotogrande, we’re in easy reach of the incredible modern art galleries on the Costa del Sol, and the cultural and historic centres of Cordoba, Seville, Jerez and Granada. With the birthplace of Pablo Picasso (Malaga) under an hour away we’re usually spoilt for choice and love to combine culture with sport, beach time and great gastronomy. However, as we’re keeping our members and our staff safe by #stayingathome right now, we wanted to share some options of how you can get your culture fix within your own four walls.
Virtual Tours
Technology is opening the doors to some of the most famous places to offer us access to cultural and intellectual delights from the comfort of our own home. It’s amazing that we can “visit” the British Museum in London, MoMA in New York and Hermitage in St. Petersburg from here in Sotogrande and not only that, but wonderful artists and performers are also putting on an incredible show for us to all enjoy!
Take a look at the Google Arts and Culture collection, an incredible resource for any art lover. They have pulled together online exhibitions and virtual tours from some of the world’s most important museums and galleries. You can learn more about these important places and see some of the best loved works. Some have incredible virtual tours and interactive options, like the British Museum which allows you to take a tour through time and find out more about the most popular pieces. They even have audio descriptions and it’s a great way for the kids to learn more about the pyramids and the Egyptians. Find out more about museums with virtual tours
A little closer to home, why not virtually visit the famous Museo del Prado in Madrid. It is so popular that there are usually long queues to get in, but now you can explore the collection online and immerse yourself in the best of Spanish art. This is just one of many of the great Spanish galleries who are compiling fantastic online resources such as videos and virtual tours of past and present exhibitions. El Pais have put together a great article showcasing some of the best, so you can enjoy art and practice your Spanish at the same time!
Music
Now that the concert venues have closed their doors, musicians are making music free and easy to enjoy from your sofa. The Berlin Philharmonic removed all charges to their online streaming service, so you can enjoy their concerts from throughout the years and the Met in New York has daily streaming of a classic concert from its archive every day at 7.30pm (half past midnight in Sotogrande). These are just a few great ways you can enjoy classical music during lockdown, find more
If classical music isn’t your thing, musicians of all types are live streaming performances to keep their fans’ spirits up during the coronavirus shutdown. NPR have compiled a really helpful list of everything they are aware of happening each day, covering jazz, electronic, pop, rock and classical, what time they are taking place and how you can listen. The “Together at Home” virtual concert series aims to encourage people to stay at home while bringing them together through music and some of the biggest global artists are taking part. Niall Horan, John Legend, Chris Martin, OneRepublic, Shawn Mendes, Ziggy Marley have already streamed concerts which you can enjoy online and there are many more to come. View the concerts.
Theatre
You can also indulge your love of theatre from home! The National Theatre have launched a National Theatre at Home Programme which will broadcast some of its best loved productions for free every Thursday at 7pm on their YouTube channel, starting on the 2nd of April and continuing for two months. This is just one of the many theatre and dance companies making their work accessible while theatres are closed. Berlin’s theatre, the Half Moon theatre, The Royal Opera House and even the juggling group Gandini are all getting in on the act and sharing their content with the world. Check out a list of the best
There are many other people trying to help us to connect to others through culture, such as A Public Space encouraging people to read War and Peace and discuss via a virtual book club. You can also use apps such as Netflix Party to watch with your friends and enjoy your favourite series or movies together.
So #StayatHome, get online and open your mind to a wonderful world of culture. This will be enriching and uplifting and if you can “share” with friends by chatting while you’re doing it, then you will feel less isolated and more able to handle these uncertain times.
