February 17, after a
fairly quiet flight, we arrived at Frederic
Chopin airport,
Poland, already dark. And after a short drive, we were in Koluszki!
The next day,
and as there was no official program, the host families presented us with a
surprise visit to the city of Lodz, the third most populated city in Poland,
known for having the longest shopping street in Europe. This city, once the
major center of the textile industry, is transformed into a cultural city and,
instead of factories, we found the buildings adapted to museums, hotels and
other functions.
The first day was very
interesting because we visited a museum and we played bowling. We thank all the
families who welcomed us into their homes,
allowing us the opportunity to visit this great city of Poland.
The official
program of the Comenius project PEACE meeting in Poland began on Wednesday,
19th, with the official presentation of the teams involved in the project.
Throughout the
day, apart from visiting the premises of school Szkola Podstawowa nr2 imienia Marii Konopnickiej w Koluszkach, students presented our winter traditions,
participated in dancing and painting workshops, as well as in sports activities. As for teachers, they
attended meetings concerning the project and at the end, they visited Lodz. Although
tiring, the day was very useful because it allowed us to meet and work with
people from different backgrounds, cultures and knowledge.
On the 20th
February, Thursday, the teams made a visit to the museum Fryderyca Chopina, located in Zelazowa Wola, where the
group contacted with the origins of this famous Polish composer. Still
in the morning, we visited a craft workshop where participants learned the
story of Hansel and Gretel, making the fingers of Hansel with dough,the witch's brooms
and also got dressed as witches, experienced working in pottery and wore
traditional Polish clothing.
The afternoon
was spent in Nieborow. The program was very rich in terms of personal
experiences, such as brushing the horses, horseback riding, forest safari in a
4x4 vehicle and grilled traditional Polish sausages, around a campfire.
Another day
well spent with new experiences that allowed closer relations among the
participants!
The 21st of
February was the last day of the official program of the meeting and,
therefore, a very active one. In the morning, we met at the host school
facilities and all the guests tested their knowledge about Poland by completing
a questionnaire. Then, the theme of typical gastronomy holiday parties was
discussed, and the coordinators of each school presented the gastronomic
traditions. Subsequently, each school cooked a dish of their choice, and EPE
presented the baked codfish with potatoes and cabbage, which received many
positive reactions.
Later in the
morning, the delegation was received by the Mayor of Koluszki in the
municipal building and tried ice skating. In the afternoon, there was the
official closing ceremony of the meeting in a municipal auditorium. The show
was filled with Polish music, songs and dances, but also the participation of
students of the invited schools and ended with the delivery of diplomas to the
participants.
Thank you!!!
