The Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI) was delighted to have Italian-based Mexican visual artist, writer and filmmaker Damián Comas run a month-long workshop in Contemporary Narratives in May. Both first and second-year students of the Masters in Intercultural Business Communication (IBC) attended the four three-hour workshop sessions. The workshops provided the context to analyse current literary and cinematographic creations for students to acquire a complex and profound knowledge of narration, as readers or spectators, as well as performers and creators.
The programme started with a theoretical overview of what makes a story and narrative, before moving onto character formation and context. Each class was highly interactive, with Damián asking students to contribute by writing their own pieces, and reading their narratives in class to receive feedback. The objective of the workshop was to have students develop a final writing project (short story, story, experimental, film script) with all its complexities. Second year IBC Masters student, Emna Jbara: ´´Under the guidance of our exceptional professor, I discovered the power of words. Each assignment presented a new challenge, pushing me to think outside the box and experiment with different literary techniques.´´
The aim of the workshop was to focus on the ´intercultural´ element of the IBC, and give students the space and time, and the opportunity, to express and develop their creative writing skills from differing cultural perspectives, which can only serve to improve their ability to write Academic and Business English.
Second year IBC Masters student, Eslam Mostafa: ´´Having the creative writing was a good addition to the English course. It gave me a wider view in different writing practices when it comes to thought process and putting these thoughts on paper. It´s a great skill to learn and helps to diversify the writing skills set.´´
Damián has a PhD in Literary Creation and a Master’s degree in Theoretical Art Studies. In the different disciplines of his work, he has received several awards in Europe, America and even in Asia. His first novel, Cenizas, won the XIX Hispanic Literature Prize from the University of Seville, published by Punto de lectura and Debolsillo; as well as his compilation Las verdades infames, published by Random House. He is the author of six novels and seven screenplays, as well as the director and producer of two films.
For more, go to the website of Damian Comas at: https://damiancomas.com/