After a decade of experience as a tour guide in Córdoba, Cristina Ramos has ventured into the publishing world with her first work, Pequeña gran historia de Córdoba. This book aims to introduce young readers, aged between eight and twelve, to 22 historical figures of the city in an entertaining and educational way, including games and activities.
The author, who presented her publication at Librería Luque, believes that the characters featured in the book were the “influencers of their time.” Ramos explained that, after the pandemic, she felt the need to innovate her guided tours to capture children's interest, which led her to specialize in this audience and develop a historical scavenger hunt.
“"By telling it in a certain way, children retain things, and Córdoba, moreover, is an open book. Córdoba is meant to be told, to know how historically important it has been and the characters who have lived here."
The book's historical journey spans from the Roman era to the present day. The first character is Claudio Marcelo, whom the author calls the “father of Córdoba” for his role in the conquest and transformation of the city into a Roman capital. The work concludes with the writer Antonio Gala, who passed away in May 2023.
The period of Al-Ándalus is extensively represented, including prominent female figures such as Lubna, an intellectual from the great library of Córdoba, and the princess and poet Wallada. Also mentioned are Abderramán III, the caliph who ordered the construction of Medina Azahara, and physicians of the era, highlighting Córdoba's importance as an intellectual center.
In the medieval period, the book includes Doña Aldonza López de Haro, whose legacy gives its name to the Campo de la Verdad, and figures such as Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, the Great Captain, and Luis de Góngora. Ramos also invites children to be the “23rd character,” encouraging them to dream and become part of the city's history.
The book not only tells stories but also incorporates playful activities such as word searches, games to associate characters with professions, and a map of Córdoba to visit statues or related places. Additionally, each story includes a moral, aiming for children to identify with the values and lessons from the lives of these characters.
Although born in Madrid, Cristina Ramos has lived in Córdoba for 12 years, a city she fell in love with. A Tourism graduate with a passion for history, she left her previous job to fully dedicate herself to being a tour guide at the Mezquita-Catedral, a dream she fulfilled eight years ago.
