The project "Entre Cármenes y Albarelos: The Botanical Legacy of Granada", promoted by the Official College of Pharmacists of Granada, has come to an end after several months of activity. During this period, more than 40,000 botanical leaflets dedicated to 25 medicinal plants representative of the city's heritage have been distributed.
The initiative, developed in collaboration with various academic, scientific, and cultural institutions, has transformed 25 Granada pharmacies into outreach spaces, bringing knowledge about these plants, their history, therapeutic applications, and their connection with Granada to thousands of citizens.
The project has generated significant social interest, involving people of all ages, from families and young people to students and associations, who have toured the city to complete the collection, turning it into a shared cultural experience.
“"The pharmacy has an enormous capacity to connect with society from areas as diverse as health, science, culture, and heritage."
Juan Eloy Jiménez, president of the College, expressed his satisfaction with the public's response, highlighting the intergenerational encounters and the discovery of local botanical heritage. He also emphasized the commitment of the participating pharmacists, who dedicated time and effort to explain each plant and make the project an enriching experience.
Jiménez also underscored the project's contribution to Granada's bid to be European Capital of Culture 2031, valuing a heritage deeply linked to the city's identity and demonstrating that culture can also be found in the science and knowledge held by pharmacies.
“"We have managed to get thousands of people to discover that behind each plant there is a history, a tradition, and a scientific basis. Pharmacies have become, during these months, true spaces for botanical and health dissemination."
Fernando Hidalgo, Officer for Medicinal Plants and Phytotherapy, highlighted the innovative nature of the proposal and the interest it has generated among young people, who have followed the pharmacy route and shown curiosity about the properties of medicinal plants, which he considers excellent news for scientific and cultural heritage.
As a culmination, the College held an Open Day at the Botanical Garden of the University of Granada, where attendees could view the original watercolors by artist Jesús Calle, the ceramic albarelli jars with medicinal plants, the living plant species, and participate in various outreach activities, including a guided tour.
During the event, demonstrations of free professional pharmaceutical services were offered, including health tests and personalized advice on the safe use of medicinal plants. This initiative has successfully united pharmacy, science, art, heritage, and citizen participation, establishing itself as a unique contribution to the Granada 2031 project.
The project was made possible through the collaboration of the Granada City Council, the University of Granada, ArkoPharma, the Spanish Phytotherapy Society, Bidafarma, Heel, Pranarom, Nutergia, Solaray, Sandoz, and Botánica Pharma.
