Portugal- meeting in Poland

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!!!