Fragment No. 87

One of the most memorable moments was the presentation by members of Africagua, who offered an exhibit on African textiles, emphasizing their symbolism, history, and deep cultural roots. To close the event, attendees were treated to traditional teas and sweets, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere that embodied the project’s spirit.

The arrival of Fragment #87 not only adds another piece to the journey of the Dragon Carpet, but also reaffirms the power of culture as a bridge between communities and as a shared space for building new collective narratives.

Last weekend, the Laboratory of Cultural Rights and Cultural Diversity Project from the University of Zaragoza set out on a journey to Épila, a town in Aragon where history intertwines with new forms of coexistence. Teachers, students, and a group of mediators from AMIR (Stazione Utopia) and Sheep Italia joined the experience, guided by the idea of bringing Fragment #87 of the Dragon Carpet to a new symbolic territory.

Visual artist Nawal Ameur, a resident of Épila, welcomed us with warmth and enthusiasm. The day began with a reception at the Town Hall, hosted by Sara Guerreo, the Councillor for Culture, who greeted us on behalf of the community. There, we had our first group gathering, exchanging impressions about local life and the intercultural policies that aim to strengthen the social fabric.

Afterwards, Fragment #87 made its way through the historic streets of Épila, pausing in front of buildings filled with memory. Conversations flowed naturally among the participants, as if the threads of the carpet were extending through our words.

Lunch became a moment of sensory and emotional connection: a group of women from Épila prepared traditional Moroccan dishes, lovingly cooked and shared, turning the meal into a celebration of cultures.

In the afternoon, we continued our walk through the Palace and the Church of Épila, where stone and history stood as silent witnesses to our passage. The day concluded at the Cultural Center, where each group — the University of Zaragoza, Sheep Italia, AMIR, and the local community — presented their projects and visions. It was a space to imagine the future, to reflect on how art, education, and diversity can continue to weave new connections.

Fragment #87 returned with us, yet part of it remained in Épila: a new thread in the great carpet that binds places, people, and perspectives together

Along its journey by the banks of the Ebro River, between Aragón and Navarra—crossing natural and political borders—Fragment #87 traveled during June and August to a beautiful village on the Navarrese riverside, a region very close to Zaragoza. After its stay in Épila, the team from the Laboratory of Cultural Rights and Cultural Diversity moved to the town of Milagro in Navarra. There, they organized two activities: one at the Virgen del Patrocinio Public School and another at the Milagro Public Library.

At the school, teacher Itziar Parmo, during her Arts & Crafts class with students aged 10 to 12, led an activity based on the Dragon Carpet. The experience proved to be both enriching and meaningful for the children. They not only explored an artistic piece of great historical and cultural value, but also discovered its symbolism, its journey through time, and its role as a testimony of memory and resilience—especially after the damage it suffered during World War II.

By learning about its partial destruction and the decision to preserve the damaged areas as visible traces of history, the students reflected on the importance of heritage and the preservation of collective memory. Handling and observing their fragment, photographing it, and realizing it belonged to a much larger piece gave them a sense of belonging and cultural responsibility, awakening both pride and curiosity.

Engaging with a real, international, and ongoing project went far beyond a traditional classroom activity. It stimulated their artistic sensitivity, historical awareness, and appreciation for shared heritage. In short, the workshop fostered creativity, historical reflection, and pride in being part of a global cultural project. The students did not just learn about a carpet—they learned about identity, collaboration, and memory, and this was evident in the enthusiasm they brought to the experience.