Echoes
June 2014
This journal of memories is based on an
original idea of the Romanian Team which created these pages for the mobility
in their country but, being appreciated by all the partners, these pages were
filled with memories from all the motilities of the project.
If you want to read and find more about our this, please...
... and HAVE FUN reading it!!!
Comenius Night
12th June 2014
Seventh meeting - Arta, Greece
4th - 9th May 2014
Here we are at the last meeting of our Comenius Project "Our voices across Europe". We are happy to meet again with our Comenius friends but in the same time we are a little bit sad because this is our last meeting.
May 4, 2014 - we arrived in Arta on a heavy rain at noon but the joy of meeting Natalie and the parents
put our tiredness away!!
May 5, 2014 – after a short trip by coach we reached the MUSIC SCHOOL OF ARTA!! And SURPRISE –all school instrumentalists - a
big band – and a group of folk dancers dressed in the beautiful Greek
costumes welcomed us and with singing and dancing we made our way to school.
Everybody joined the traditional round dance and after, students, teachers,
parents filled in the square in front of the school- everybody joined in
singing the Comenius Anthem accompanied by the school band.
Take a look at the pictures below!
In the same time the
TRAVELLING SUITCASE was opened and
each and every country presented the
items inside and played the traditional instruments. After each team's presentation, Nathalie arranged all the objects, take turns, in a small exhibition that showed great in the finally.
Look at this pictures below!
While visiting the school, the Greek students and teachers prepared another
surprise – each classroom housed posters and photos of the Comenius countries!
Students shared impressions and information about the customs, clothes and food
of the seven countries. And
the short passage was honored with traditional Greek food, sweets and drinks. It was a very nice surprise!!!
May
6, 2014 - we left quite early for the seaside – we went to PARGA - which occupies a special position along the Epirus coastline -
surrounded by mountains and sea. We tramped our feet in the clear waters of the
Ionian Sea and took part in a land art
activity!! Teachers and students, divided into multinational groups imagined
on the sand something related to the Comenius project - either an instrument, a
score, the map of Europe etc. all done with stones and sand gathered from the
beach. The enthusiasm of the teams was enhanced by the sounds of the music
played by the BOUZOUKI and drums. We were warmly welcomed by the municipality
and offered drinks and cakes on the beach.
We spent a wonderful day with our Comenius friends!
Take a look!!!
More about the atmosphere and more pictures you can find in this material made by the Greek Team.
HAVE FUN!
The last ... teachers meeting!
May 7, 2014- the gorgeous sunny morning started with the
students rehearsing for the concert and
then we all got on the coach and went to
the protected aquatic AMBRAKIOS GULF – a scenery of harmony and serenity, a
place of natural beauty and wealth - a paradise for birds (flamingos, ibises,
spotted eagles and pelicans) and fishes. The beauty of the landscapes is serene
and fascinating. Everybody joined their hands in the traditional Greek dance,
on the platform near the church, up there. The Arta School Band made the Greek
songs be heard over the calm waters of the lagoon.
It was another wonderful day spent together with our Comenius friends!
At 9 p.m. we went for the Comenius Concert at the CASTLE – when entering it, we had the greatest surprise of all- Natalie, the Greek teachers and
students who had worked in the Comenius project prepared an exhibition of
photos on large boards, trying to follow students’ quest, as Ulysses did, for
the true values of the Comenius project - learning about friendship, cooperation,
tolerance, accepting individuality into diversity, about customs and
enjoyingliving together - “Happy as Ulysses, they have made a great voyage”.
The concert was a success!! The applauses rewarded the efforts of the two
conductors, of the multinational choir singing a song belonging to each
country, and of the Arta School band. The background stage had a huge painting
illustrating the beauties of Greece and the seven countries taking part in this
project, that really made their voices
heard across Europe, “music is expression! Leading to perfection! It is the
connection to civilizations”.
May
8, 2014 - the last day of the meeting started with a walking visit of Arta. Each
sight of the city was presented in a few words by a Greek student and
accompanied by a traditional song played by different instruments - people in
the street joined the wandering through the streets of Arta. We stopped at the local market, at Theodora Church - the protectress of
the city, canonized as a saint after the murder of her husband, king Michael
II, at Appollo Temple (dating back
around 500 B.C.), at the church Panayia Parigoritissa
(The Church of Mother of God the Swiftly Consoling, built in 1290). An important stop was Arta Town Hall,
where we were welcomed by the mayor of the city, who also emphasized the
importance of the visit of the participating countries in the project and
presented a video of the beauties of the Arta region. The stroll in the city
drew to an end at the legendary bridge
of Arta – a priceless jewel not only
for Arta, but for the whole world,
finished in 1612 A.D.-according to the legend the mason’s beautiful wife had to
be sacrificed in the foundations ,
otherwise the bridge would collapse. By the bridge, under the hot sun, we
applauded the Greek students playing famous traditional Greek songs. The
last sight visited was the Museum of Archeology,
where the band got reunited and offered
a new concert. An unforgettable
lesson of history, of national pride and enthusiasm.
The
farewell party gathered together foreign teachers and students,
hosting families, Arta School teachers and students in a wonderful, poshy
restaurant - the music was provided by the students’ bands - from Greek
folklore, to rock music, from Romanian sounds to light music, from traditional
dances to café concert!! A gorgeous
atmosphere in the company of gorgeous people!
One last photo with our friends and hosts ... before leaving!!!
We
thank and congratulate the Greek team for their efforts of showing and sharing
with us what Greece has the best – great sights, the Greek hospitality, calm,
friendly and welcoming people.
Spring song activity
March - April 2014
From the beginning of March, each National Team has been working on the spring song which they received from the appointed country. This time the song was selected by each partner from their national folklore. The activity was similar to the Winter Song activity - you will find details below on this page - the only difference was the country from which the song were sent, like in this pictures below:
This time the activity was slightly easier since students has done this activity before, with the Winter song. However, they wanted to do their best and they put a lot of effort into learning the words and pronunciation of the language they didn't know at all.
The Hungarian song name prepared by our students is "Két szál pünkösdrózsa" and if you want to listen the song, please visit the "Media gallery" section on this blog.
Our Romanian song - "Trandafir de la Moldova" was prepared and recorded by the Catalan Team.
If you want to listen the Spanish students singing in Romanian language, please visit our common website in the "Results" section by clicking on the "SONGS" icon first and then by the icon "SPRING SONGS".
Have fun watching it!
If you want to find more about our Spring and Winter Song activities - the lyrics, the stories, the scores of the songs and more - please read this e-book bellow made by the Hungarian Team based on the materials send to them by each partner.
Spring and Winter Song activities were among the most appreciated activities in the project, appreciated equally by students and teachers.
CONGRATULATIONS to all National Teams for their work!!!
Sixth meeting - Budapest, Hungary
16th - 21th March 2014
When we stepped onto the platform of Keleti Station – an
enormous architectural masterpiece - we felt like being transported back to a
time where train travel was ideally romantic. BUDAPEST is much like a gateway
to Western Europe, a city that grows on you - it has become as one of those
acquaintances that you never planned to get to know but happen to run into you
every now and then, creating a friendship over time.
Hello, Budapest!!! The Romanian Team salutes you!
MONDAY, March 17th, 2014– after a windy night in Budapest, we gathered together at school –What a great school atmosphere in the heart of one of the most beautiful capitals of Europe, in district 9 - FERENCVAROS, in the old BUDA town!!! After a warm welcoming, we were invited to look at the photo exhibition and to give six votes each country for the three pictures we like best.
Then we visited the school, guided by the Hungarian
students. It was great to listen to the kindergarten students “chasing the
winter away with the scarecrows made by them“, to play games in the school gymnasium,
or to attend George’s lesson of visual arts and to learn to put stress away by
drawing. By eleven all teachers and students gathered together again in the
Arts Room and practiced one of the most beloved songs in Hungary – TAVASZI SZEL - a song about spring and birds and flowers and most of all about searching
for and finding Love!! We watched famous singers singing it and then everybody,
in one voice, sang it! It was an exquisite performance that everybody enjoyed
to the most!
The day drew to an end with a dance house at school, in the
gymnasium, where a folk band played live music, we learned Hungarian dances and
then recorded the song TAVASZI SZEL that was practiced in the morning.
Take a look at the pictures and have fun!
TUESDAY, March 18th,2014- at 8 a.m. everybody gathered at school, put their votes in the box and set off for the Ethnography Museum housed by the former Palace of Justice- an exquisite piece of architecture, opposite the Houses of Parliament. While the teachers were visiting the museum,
the students had a crafts workshop in the museum, being taught how to make
a leather purse that they were invited to take away and finish at home, and While the students were visiting the museum, the teachers
had a meeting to fix the deadlines for certain project activities (you will see pictures below).
The afternoon was even more gorgeous, we went up to Buda Castle where we attended a 3D film about the tumultuous history of this castle. On the Castle Hill we walked along the Fishermen’s Bastion- a terrace in neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque style whose name was taken from the guild of fishermen that were responsible of defending this stretch of the city walls in the Middle Ages, now being a wonderful terrace facing the Danube, close to Matthias Church. Then we walked to the Labyrinth of Dracula, a 6 -mile complex of caves and cellars at 16 metres under the Castle Hill - it is among the world’s 7 underground wonders. In the 15th century it was a prison and the most famous prisoner was Vlad Tepes, better known as COUNT DRACULA, held in captivity by King Matthias Corvinus. In the 16th century the Turks used it for military purposes and during the Second World War it was a large shelter and hospital. Although for the tourists there is only a mile to wander, we got lost twice before finding the exit.
Also, here in Budapest, as in every country, we had a very fruitful teachers meeting.
WEDNESDAY-March 19th , 2014- We were so excited at the idea of getting into the Parliament Houses - so
full of grandeur, with gold trimmings, glittering antique chandeliers and
Renaissance paintings on the walls.
From the Parliament we walked to Szent Istvan Bazilika (Saint Stephen Basilica) - started being built in 1851, in classicist style. We climbed all the stairs up to the central dome, to the Panorama – great view of Budapest! We learned about Saint Stephen‘s Holy Right Hand that was placed on the reliquary altar of the chapel (he was canonized on August 15, 1083), we also admired the beautiful stained glass windows and mosaics.
After a great lunch in the City Park, we went to Heroes’ Square and to the Zoo. The Zoo is a great place –thousand animal species there in this heritage zoo. There is also the Magic Mountain devoted to showcase the evolution of life-it is the largest life science center in Central and Eastern Europe. Behind Heroes’ Square there is the castle VAJDAHUNIAD – a copy of one in Transylvania, a mix of Roman, Renaissance and Baroque and a monument celebrating the Millennium in 1896.
THURSDAY, March 20th, 2014- We all met at BakatsTer (Bakat Square) and went to the TownHall.We were welcomed by the local officials and then offered a cocktail. We felt very important and shared the joy. We had a stroll in the Market Hall and most of us went climbing GellertHill. At 5 p.m. everybody gathered to school where the Host parents prepared delicious Hungarian food and sweets .A jury formed out of the representatives of each country evaluated the Karaoke competition: "Comenius ‘Got talent" – each group of students did their best to create an entertaining atmosphere. George announced the three best voted photos!! It was a great evening, full of laughter, joy, cries and strong feelings. It was difficult to say farewell to all our friends, so beautiful moments spent together.
You can see a movie created by the Hungarian Team on this blog, on the "Media Gallery" section about ... our project in Budapest!
HAVE FUN watching it!!!
The last pictures with our Comenius friends from Budapest - on "Budapest Keleti" train station.
Good by, dear friends!
WE THANK AND CONGRATULATE the Hungarian team of teachers: Eva, Andrea, Gaby, Ilona, Gaby, George and the others for all their support, care and considerance!
Next meeting - ARTA, GREECE
See you SOOOOOOOOOON!!!!
Fifth meeting - Barcelona, Spain
10th-14th February 2014
We, The Romanian team, have been looking forward to the trip to Barcelona!
Sunday afternoon - 9th February- it was very touching, when students and teachers from all the Comenius countries we all met again. We were like the members of a huge family that was gathering together for a great family event.
Monday morning, at 9.30 – 10th of February -we were welcomed at Escola Turbula, and we took part at a great opening ceremony - the students of the Romanian team were invited to bring their contribution to these opening festivities: Marco was invited to dance and show his mastery in artistic dancing! Sergiu enchanted everybody with the traditional folk music tunes, and Mihaela accompanied by Marco and his guitar and Sergiu, sang a famous hit.
Take a look at this pictures!
We, The Romanian team, have been looking forward to the trip to Barcelona!
Sunday afternoon - 9th February- it was very touching, when students and teachers from all the Comenius countries we all met again. We were like the members of a huge family that was gathering together for a great family event.
Monday morning, at 9.30 – 10th of February -we were welcomed at Escola Turbula, and we took part at a great opening ceremony - the students of the Romanian team were invited to bring their contribution to these opening festivities: Marco was invited to dance and show his mastery in artistic dancing! Sergiu enchanted everybody with the traditional folk music tunes, and Mihaela accompanied by Marco and his guitar and Sergiu, sang a famous hit.
Take a look at this pictures!
After the exciting moments of being welcomed and handed in
the “gold book of the school“ by the school headmaster, we were invited by the students
to go touring the school. We were really interested in their timetable, their choice
of subjects, their school life and rules.
Look at this pictures below!
After gathering together at the cocktail lunch in the school festival hall, we took part in the first activity of the day - OUR MUSICIANS’ WORKSHOP! We had to give information about Gheorghe Zamfir, while the other members of the multinational groups had to fill in the bubbles in the book that our hosts had so carefully prepared for each and everyone. We did the same thing while the other countries presented the composer-singer that they considered a landmark of the period of the 70’s-80’s.
This workshop was appreciated by everyone.
The evening drew to an end with the teachers’ meeting,
where the details of the next to come meetings were settled down, and a
minute of the things already done or that should be done in the near future was
talked about.
Tuesday -11th February – we went on a tour of the Roman and Medieval Barcelona. We really liked Saint Eulalia’s Cathedral and the 13 geese kept there the remind of her age of being sacrificed by the Romans for not giving up her Christian religion. We wandered about the narrow streets of the old Barcelona,we saw the Roman columns next to Picasso’s drawings on the façade of a building next to the cathedral. We learned about the legend of the gargoyles and the history of the place there!!
It has to be appreciated the effort of the Spanish students who became touristic guides for the multinational groups-they also learned a lot about the legends and the history of old Barcelona and shared their knowledge with us!!
Take a look at this pictures!
After lunch we had a great surprise – the visit to the Palau de la Musica Catalana- this famous concert hall is a real gem. We were impressed by the picture of the famous stained glass dome and the statues of the Muses and under this amazing structure we enjoyed the demonstration of the hall’s magnificent organ.
We hope that our students will perform sometime on this unique scene!!!
Wonderful and unforgettable memories!!!
In the evening we came back at school where we had another surprise from our hosts - we joined the Catalan dancers for the Traditional Catalan
dance workshop. Even though we were very tired the music and the dances made us to feel very well together!!!
Wednesday-12th February- was a really great day! We went to Park Gruell, which Gaudi started in 1890 and never finished because count Gruell ran out of money. It was still and peaceful and from the top there sweeping though little hazy views of the city of Barcelona and the sea. The style is pure Gaudi in its amazing mozaics and fanciful designs, or the Room of the Hundred Columns or the two buildings at the entrance reminding us of Hansel and Gretel!
After
lunch, we could see the other wonder of Gaudi’s –La Sagrada Familia-a concrete erection of piety! It is very impressive with the series of enormous stalactites or
ornaments reminding of the sea waves. The
old façade looks as dirty and worn as any 13th century Gothic cathedral, while the
Passion façade was completed in 1977-a grotesque
interpretation of Gaudi’s intentions, austere and geometric. The 12 spires
meant to envisage the 12 Apostles and the highest spire of all Catholic Churches in the world are to be
finished by 2026!!!!! La Sagrada Familia is one of the wonders of
Cathedral architecture. Antoni Gaudi‘s unique personal style in the service of his fervent religious
faith, makes his work the equivalent of that of a modern
Michel Angelo.
A very busy day, overwhelmed by so many extraordinary
things and myths and legends, we returned to school at 9 p.m. for the POP ROCK CONCERT and KARAOKE from the 70’s and 80’s. It was great evening!! The Spanish students amazed everybody present by their mastery, imagination, enthusiasm and costumes. It was a flow of good music, happiness, friendship, love of life and music.
Take a look at the pictures bellow!
Thursday-13th February- the stay in Barcelona was drawing to an end and our Catalan friends and hosts prepared a real surprise – a trip by coach to Monistrol and ascendance to Montserrat Monastery by rack railway. We witnessed a great blend of Nature, Culture and Spirituality. We joined the pilgrimage to MORENETA (The Black Virgin - a very beautiful Roman wood sculpture from the 12th century) who became the patron of Catalonia in 1881 and at 1 a.m. we sat in the cathedral to listen to the choirboys’ performance. Everybody was excited and touched by the depth of the feelings experienced there.
In the evening we come back to school for the farewell party – there were all
the host families! They brought traditional Catalan food- especially paella!
Anna and Bruno, as real masters of ceremonies, guided the teams present there to dance their traditional dances and to teach them as well. There was a lot of laughter, joy, good heartedness and good will.
Look at the pictures!
If you want to see the recording of the traditional dances performed by each team, please visit our common website on the "Results" section and click on the "DANCES" icon.
HAVE FUN watching it!!!
We said goodbye to our multinational friends, keeping
vivid in mind the great sight, the unforgettable pieces of architecture, the abundance of information and feelings that we experienced here, in
BARCELONA.
This is our last picture, on the "El Prat Airport" from Barcelona, with our special hosts and friends!
We have spent a great week in Barcelona and MANY THANKS for all the moments to the Catalan Team, especially to Anna and Bruno!
Next meeting - BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
See you SOOOOOOOOON!!!
Traveling suitcase activity
January 2014
The "Traveling suitcase" has already starting its journey! It started from Turkey and has already been to 3 countries: Turkey, Poland and Hungary. Now is time for our Team to explore the Suitcase content and after we complete with our own objects it will set off to Italy. The final destination will be in Greece where, during our last meeting, we will open the Traveling Suitcase together and we will learn more about everything what will be inside it.
In our school, the content of the "Traveling Suitcase" was exposed in a special hall where the students had the opportunity to admire and learn about all that traditional objects received from our partners.
Our Team exploring and having fun with the inside of the Suitcase. The students enjoyed playing with the instruments and all music and traditional dances connected objects.
The most appreciated object from the Suitcase was the traditional Turkish costume for ladies. Our girls were very exciting to dress it.
Our students have prepared several Romanian traditional objects such as: Romanian blouse (IE), peasant sandals (OPINCI), girdle/belt (BRÂU), veil / thin raw silk handkerchief (MARAMĂ), Shepherd purse (TRAISTĂ), high fur cup (PĂLĂRIE), flute (FLUIER), Pan's flute (NAI).
Our Team has expressed some thoughts and impressions about this activity in the specific diary which is included in the suitcase.
Take a look at his picture below!
If you want to find and read more about this journal, please visit our common website in the "Results" section. Have fun reading it!!!
The winter song activity
November - December 2013
From the beginning of November, each Team had been worked on the winter song - a Xmas song - which they received from the appointed country, as you can see in this image below!
It was hard work as all the students had to sing in the language they don't know! They had problems with the reading and pronunciation of the words. However, each country did a great job and learned the given song. Some even went a bit further - like our students - and managed to play it on the instruments.
If you want to have a look, please do and... ENJOY!
The Romanian students rehearsing the Catalan Xmas song - "Fum, fum, fum"!
If you want to have a look, please do and... ENJOY!
The Romanian students rehearsing the Catalan Xmas song - "Fum, fum, fum"!
More about the lyrics, the melody and the pronunciation in Spanish language you can find on this page!
The Romanian Team during the recording of the Catalan carol.
You can find the record of the song on this blog visiting the "Media gallery" section.
HAVE FUN!!!
This is the Hungarian Team performed our Xmas Song - "Moș Crăciun cu plete dalbe".
You can find this song - and all the carols prepared by each team - on our common web site on the "Results" section by clicking on the icon "SONGS" then on "WINTER SONGS" icon.
Have fun watching them!!!
Have fun watching them!!!
More about our Xmas songs you can reed on the "Song booklet" prepared by the Hungarian Team.
Remember HOLOCAUST!
After meeting in Poland....
au fost ....
au fost ....
Fourth meeting Zabrze, Poland
7th-11th October 2013
All in all, the delegations of Italy, Spain, Hungary, Romania, Turkey and Greece enjoyed their time spent in Poland. They had a great opportunity to experience Polish cuisine, customs and history. They also worked together to fulfill some targets of the Comenius.
The Polish Team welcomed the delegations from Italy, Spain, Turkey, Greece,
Romania and Hungary in the Festivity Hall of 'Nasza Szkoła' School. After a warm greeting, we took part in the workshops called 'Music and Cinema'. The participants of each country prepared a electronic presentation about a chosen film and later sang a song from the presented film. Our team presented the movie "The wizard of Oz" and sand the song "Somewhere over the rainbow". Take a look at these pictures from that workshop.
Teachers from Poland prepared the PPT Presentation on „Music in concentration camps” trying to prepare the students emotionally for the next day visit to Auschwitz. After that the students were asked to draw with coal brought from the Silesian mines something to testify their feelings aroused by the activity on “the Music at the camps”. All drawings were displayed on a large suggestive poster at the entrance of NASZA ZSKOLA. Thanks to that activity the students could touch the topic of concentration camps beforehand. Take a look at the pictures!
guide was excellent,very knowledgeable and informative. Some of the students were shocked by the enormity and scale of extermination. Everyone was deeply affeced by the gas chamber and crematorium sight still intact at Auschwitz. Almost all the students said that that was a trip they will never forget.
The day tour to Cracow, the former capital of Poland. a lovely city where each and every building bearing the marks of “J.P.II” – the recent beatification of POPE JOHN PAUL II was palpable. We wandered through the town square and the amber fair. We greatly liked the 13th century street Florianska, with the amazing view of the church Saint Mary, and the incredible large square –Stare Miasto, lined with cafes, amazing buildings and the flower market in the center.
"Teacher meeting" - a profitable, friendly and successful meeting of the teachers in the project! All deadlines were fixed, all further meetings were detailed, and we had the opportunity to open the SUITECASE brought by ISIL, Turkey, with representative items of the Turkish folklore and culture. Take a look at the pictures!
All in all, the activities were very dense and full of content, the visits were excellent and well organized, the dinners together were great and fruitful. Our students learned how to behave with students younger than themselves, tried to be supportive, helpful and understanding. For some of them it was their first time by train, or to a foreign country. An unforgettable experience!
We have spent a great week in Poland and THANKS for this to the Polish Team, especially to Asha and Olga.
Next meeting - BARCELONA, SPAIN!
See you SOOOOOOON!!!
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