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Events & Blogs


šĀ Bilingual Book Club in XĆ tiva ā March Reading: Thank You, Maāam
This March, DarKha Academyās Bilingual Book Club explores "Thank You, Maāam" by Langston Hughes ā a powerful short story about kindness, dignity and unexpected change. The story follows a surprising encounter between a determined woman and a young boy who tries to steal her purse, leading to a moment that transforms them both.
During our Friday session in XĆ tiva, participants will read the story together, review key vocabulary and engage in meaningful discussion.
Darcie Khanukayev
Mar 32 min read
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š DarKha Book Club ā February Edition is a story of kindness and change
š DarKha Book Club ā January Edition is a story of kindness and change: Join Our January Book Club Wednesday, January 30 | 7:00ā8:30 PMš DarKha Academy, Carrer Sant DomĆØnec 32, XĆ tiva.
This month, weāll dive into āThank You, Maāamā ā a powerful short story by Langston Hughes about a chance encounter between a tough, kind woman and a young boy who tries to steal her purse.
Itās short, sharp, and full of heart ā just a few pages you can read in advance or with us during th
Darcie Khanukayev
Jan 71 min read
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šāØ Bilingual Book Club ā January 2 @ DarKha
šāØ Bilingual Book Club ā December 12 @ DarKha
šļø Friday, January 2
š 7:00 PM
š DarKha Academy ā Carrer Sant DomĆØnec, 32
This month weāll be reading āMy Brother Walterā from Mouthful of Birds by Samanta Schweblin.
Some of us found last weekās story a bit intense š
ā so this time, weāre exploring a gentler, more reflective piece.
āMy Brother Walterā offers a new tone: emotional, a little mysterious, and very human. Letās keep enjoying fresh literary styles while practicing
Darcie Khanukayev
Dec 16, 20251 min read
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šāØ Bilingual Book Club ā December 12 @ DarKha
šāØ Bilingual Book Club ā December 12 @ DarKha
šļø Thursday, December 12
š 7:00 PM
š DarKha Academy ā Carrer Sant DomĆØnec, 32
This month weāll be reading āMy Brother Walterā from Mouthful of Birds by Samanta Schweblin.
Some of us found last weekās story a bit intense š
ā so this time, weāre exploring a gentler, more reflective piece.
āMy Brother Walterā offers a new tone: emotional, a little mysterious, and very human. Letās keep enjoying fresh literary styles while practi
Darcie Khanukayev
Nov 13, 20251 min read
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šāØ New Book in the DarKha Bilingual Book Club! āØš
Ready to switch stories? š«Ā Weāre putting Don Quijote back on the shelf (for now š) and diving into a captivating, slightly eerie, and beautifully written short story collection: šļøĀ āBirds in the Mouthā by Samanta Schweblin. šĀ As always, itās our DarKha Special Bilingual Book Club ā where language learners and literature lovers meet to share, laugh, and practice Spanish & English in a relaxed, thoughtful space. šļøĀ Get a copy of book in PDFs in both Spanish and English at
Darcie Khanukayev
Oct 28, 20251 min read
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š„ Don Quixoteās Chapter 6: The Great Book Bonfire
Ah yes, the legendary Chapter 6⦠when everyone decides the best way to ācureā Don Quixote is to burn down his entire library. šš„
While our would-be knight sleeps peacefully, dreaming of glorious adventures, the village priest and barber stage a full-on medieval intervention. They team up with the housekeeper and niece, grab some lanterns, and sneak into the library like theyāre part of CSI: La Mancha. šµļøāāļøš
Darcie Khanukayev
Sep 18, 20252 min read
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šāØ Bilingual Game Night at DarKha: chess
āļøJoin us September 5 at 7:00Ā pm at Sant DomĆØnec, 32 for an evening of language, strategy, and fun! This weekās spotlight game is chess āļøĀ ā whether youāre a seasoned player, a curious learner, or just want to cheer on the matches, thereās a place for you.. Bring a friend, and if youād like, something to share for the table. No experience needed ā just curiosity, conversation, and community. Everyone welcome!
Darcie Khanukayev
Aug 27, 20251 min read
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šāØĀ Bilingual Book Club Announcement! Don Quijote de La Mancha!
šāØĀ Bilingual Book Club Announcement! āØšĀ Hola, valientes lectores y caballeros andantes! āļøĀ This Friday at 7 PM at the academy, our Special Bilingual Book Club meets again ā and weāre riding straight into Chapter 3 of Don Quijote de La Mancha! š“šĀ What madness awaits in Chapter 3? Oh, just your average knight demanding to be dubbed in an inn he mistakes for a castle, with innkeepers, prostitutes, and muleteers all unwittingly cast as noble courtiers and holy men. š
š°š
Darcie Khanukayev
Aug 7, 20251 min read
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Summer in Two Worlds
Summer has always been a season of contrasts, but Iāve never felt it more than when reflecting on life between my hometown in California and my current home here in Spain. Though the landscapes, traditions, and languages are different, thereās an unmistakable rhythm to summer that crosses cultures ā one that celebrates community, connection, and the simple joy of staying cool.
Darcie Khanukayev
Jul 30, 20252 min read
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The Impossible Dream, in Two Languages
Yes, I knowāitās quixotic. And weāre doing it anyway.
Weāre embarking on the bold adventure of reading the classic, the first modern novel ever written: Don Quijote de la ManchaĀ by Miguel de Cervantesātogether, in both archaic Spanish and English.
Darcie with a group of students from California with Don Quijote and Sancho in Madrid.
At DarKha Academy, our Bilingual Book Club meets twice a month to read aloud, share thoughts, and practice both languages in a warm, welc
Darcie Khanukayev
Jul 1, 20252 min read
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From Chicago to the Vatican
The smoke is white! The world has a new pope.
Being from California, Catholicism is just one of many religions woven into our cultural fabric. The United States was founded on the principle of separating church and state. But that doesnāt mean we donāt mourn the passing of Pope Francis or celebrate the legacy of his predecessor.
Like the rest of the world, I waited, wondering which path the Church would take next: one rooted in classic tradition, or one moving toward inclusio
Darcie Khanukayev
May 28, 20252 min read
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Why is Everything Closed?
It's like fish swimming in water ā they don't even notice it. Take them out, plop them into new waters, and itās traumatic. That's exactly what happens when youāre transplanted into the rhythms of a new culture. After six years in Spain, I still donāt think Iāll ever fully get used to Spainās daily tempo.
Darcie Khanukayev
Apr 30, 20252 min read
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For Whom the Bells Toll
I woke with a start. Blinding rays of sunlight lit up the room like a divine spotlight, and I fumbled for my watch with a growing sense of d
Darcie Khanukayev
Apr 9, 20252 min read
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Horchata, or Not?
I had recently discovered the beautiful chufa fields, stretching out bright green against the deep blue Mediterranean sky.
Darcie Khanukayev
Mar 26, 20252 min read
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Seeing is NOT Believing
"Trust me," I almost pleaded with my student, "donāt pronounce the W in the word answer." Then came the million-dollar question: Then why..
Darcie Khanukayev
Mar 19, 20252 min read
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š¶š Join us for a fun-filled Bilingual Social Dance Class at DarKha! š
š¶ šWhere: C/ Corretgeria, 35, XĆ tiva š When: Friday, January 24, 7:00 ā 8:30 PM š£ļø Practice your English & Spanish while dancing!
Darcie Khanukayev
Jan 21, 20251 min read
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Bilingual Book Club! We are continuing with "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" by Mark Twain
We are continuing with "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" by Mark Twain for Bilingual Book Club! It is an American Classic.
Darcie Khanukayev
Dec 10, 20241 min read
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šJoin Us for a Special Bilingual Christmas Party at DarKha!š
š **Join Us for a Special Bilingual Christmas Party!** š Mark your calendars for Friday, December 20, and come celebrate the season at...
Darcie Khanukayev
Dec 10, 20241 min read
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November 5, 2024: Elections in the USA
Itās touchy, to say the least. Personally, I have never observed my country being as divided as it currently is. I feel grateful to be here.
Darcie Khanukayev
Nov 26, 20242 min read
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Join us for our Bimonthly Bilingual Adult Immersion: An English Tea! āš¬š§
An English Tea!āš¬š§ Join us on Friday, November 29, for a delightful evening at our bimonthly bilingual Adult Immersion class!
Darcie Khanukayev
Nov 26, 20241 min read
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