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Comenius Project

Culture guide

Intercultural dialogue through music

Meeting in Kazanlak, Bulgaria

June 2nd– 7th 2010

Italian students’ Impressions from Bulgaria: Eleonora

The first impression I had when I

arrived at the airport was a

positive one. We arrived at

Kazanlak at night. I was very

tired , but all the same I

immediately realized that people

in Bulgaria are warm and

affectionate with big hearts rich

of love.

They gave us a wonderful welcome

and made us feel at home!

The girl who hosted me is really

nice. We had a lot of fun together

even if…we couldn‟t understand each other very well…

and often had to use the dictionary!

I had a

very nice

experience

when I

could take

part to a

lesson in a Bulgarian school.

In five days I tried to adapt myself to

their culture and habits, although the

food was very different from ours.

Hmmmm!!!

I really appreciated the

fact that he Mayor has

allowed us to take part to

the parade. And we

showed our gratitude

bowing to the queen of

the roses…

The worst moment was when I had was to

say goodbye. I really hope to have the

opportunity to see again the wonderful

people from Bulgaria.

Eleonora Murgioni

Meeting in Kazanlak By Marco Zago

My first impression of Bulgaria hasn‟t been very positive, perhaps because it was

raining when we arrived there or maybe because it was already dark.

But everything changed

when I met a lot of new people

and I started to speak English!

A teacher even congratulated

with me for my English… !

A fantastic experience! What impressed me most was that they put cheese in

each dish!

I really enjoyed this experience: it gave me the occasion of understanding that

English is useful.

I could appreciate different ways of life and habits

and I visited marvellous places!

But the experiences that I most enjoyed was going to this fantastic water park

and ……..

….dancing with Martha!.

I am thankful for having this chance. An experience to do again !

Marco Zago

My journey to Bulgaria by Romano Piras

The first day we arrived at night and I noticed that the city was really nice,

the lady who hosted me was really very kind and very helpful.

I have grown very fond of the boys we have met both Bulgarians and from other

countries.

The places visited were very attractive I liked

a lot the Thracian tombs and Shipka monastery.

The Bulgarian landscape impressed me very much..

the only thing I was not very fond of was maybe the food because so different

from the Italian one.

This trip has been very helpful because it has allowed me to improve my English, to

know Bulgarian traditions and food but especially because I‟ve met very special

persons I‟ll never forget.

It was a great experience to meet different people from different countries and

make friendships with them. The time we spent together was unforgettable!

Romano Piras

Impressions from Bulgaria by Elisa Melis

I liked Bulgaria very much, my host family was kind and hospitable and everybody

was really nice. What impressed me most is the parade in honor of the queen of the

roses.

a lot of different groups from Kazanlak and also other parts of Bulgaria took place

to the parade,

among these groups there was one who caught my attention. they were wearing a

strange costume: a very long red cloak and a pair of flesh colored shorts completely

covered by golden tin tops.

I have also been impressed by the great number of amusement places for young

People.I enjoyed myself a lot with my Bulgarian friends and also with the other

Europeans.

My host girl has been like a sister for me.

The only bad thing of this journey was when we had to say goodbye…!

I really hope to see again all the wonderful people I met in Bulgaria !

Elisa Melis

Bulgaria by Germany

my impressions of our meeting are that, this project helped me and I think also the

others to meet new interesting people and to make friends. The things that we have

done made a lot of fun and we learned many thinks about Bulgaria and its culture. I'm

very glad that we were a part of it and I hope we can meet again:)

Veronika

Cultural Guide Bulgaria By Karolína Ńimková (CZ)

When we arrived to Bulgaria

– Sofia, first of all I saw

yellow taxis – and these

were everywhere because

the Bulgarians prefer taxis to buses. And it is surprisingly cheap.

However, we arrived to Kazanlak by bus. The journey was quite

long and when we arrived, our families were already waiting for

us. I had got a very friendly and nice family and they all could

speak English so it was very good. But not only the family was

friendly, every girl and every boy was nice.

Another day, we had a concert wearing traditional clothes and it was very interesting and

quite funny to see other countries dressed up in traditional costumes singing their

national songs. I really liked it.

The other days we went sightseeing and it was nice to see a different culture. However,

I think that we remember the trip to the aquapark most. It was really amusing.

I think the trip to Bulgaria was amazing and we made new friends, too. ;-)

Our Bulgarian Experience by Michaela Osičková (CZ)

Bulgaria was a big surprise for me. People were really friendly

and kind and despite the fact that my family was 'No English'

(as my Bulgaria sister told me when we met) it was... really

perfect.

But let's start at the

beginning. We had to get up at

five o 'clock. It isBulgaria was

a big surprise for me. People

were really friendly and kind

and despite the fact that my

family was 'No English' (as my Bulgaria sister told me

when we met) it was... really perfect.

But let's start at the beginning. We had to get up at five

o 'clock. It is not a very good start, is it. Well, but we did

it and arrived to the bus stop on time. The journey was

OK. No delays, no complications at all, just Milča had a

little problem when taking off.

We arrived to Kazanlak after a rather long journey from Sofia – meanwhile we found out

that Bulgaria has amazing nature, especially mountains and lakes.

Next day, we were recording our

project CD. It was shining outside

and the weather was very hot so it

was a bit exhausting. In the

afternoon we had a rehearsal for our

concert and then we changed to our

national costumes and went for it.

It was funny, seeing all the people in these clothes! And all the dancing and singing on the

stage... Well, I must say that it was good, better than the concert in Larnaca. After this,

we had a dinner in a traditional Bulgaria restaurant. I liked it, especially the episode with

chilli pepper in the salad and watching walking on burning coal and traditional dancing... I

really enjoyed it but I had to leave early, though.

Next day we went for a trip to Shipka, old

Thracian tombs, a rose factory and a museum.

After that, we had free time with our families –

my and Milča's host girl took as to a big park –

unfortunately it started to rain so we did not fully

enjoy it but.... You know, it happens. After dinner,

we went to visit the festival of roses – we saw

amazing fireworks above the square and met the

queen of roses.

On Saturday, we went to the Black Sea, to the town of

Nesebar. It was a lovely place; we had lunch in a

beautiful restaurant with perfect view of the sea.

Really romantic. Then we went to sunny beach for half

an hour and to an aqua park later. And it was super! All

the slipways, helter-skelters, U-ramp, water bar... We

had only an hour and a half but we managed to visit

everything... On the way back to Kazanlak, we had our

last dinner in Bulgaria. I came home and I was so

exhausted that I just fell asleep.

And next day we left. It had been a really great time;

I would have never expected that it could be so good.

Thank you for this project. I will miss it.

Our Bulgarian Experience By Ondřej Zámečník (CZ)

In the very beginning, I had been very influenced by the

opinions of others concerning Bulgaria. I tried to ignore

those views but it was very difficult.

My first experience was very interesting: there were old

ugly blocks of flats everywhere. This was the same in

Kazanlak. However, after a few hours I found that the

first impression can be confusing. I realized that houses

are not important but the people who live there.

I have spent really great five days in Bulgaria. For example I

saw the Shipka Monastery, rose factory, the Black Sea and

many more things. I learned about a new culture but above all I

made new friends. I hope that I will never forget this journey.

Students’ impressions by Gdnya

On 2nd June 2010 we started our journey to

Bulgaria for the final of the Comenius

educational project. We arrived in the town of

Kazanlak. Right from the start hard work began.

It was mainly recording a CD and preparations

before the final concert. After many hard hours

in the studio, we had rehearsal before our

performance. Finally, we all – stressed, final

corrections, singing practice and dressing up in

our beautiful Kashubian outfits. And at the end – the performance. I was afraid

something would go wrong but everything was superb. After two hard days we

hadtime for a rest. Great attractions were awaiting us. I made friends with many

persons but especially with the colleagues of Italy.

One day I will remember forever. We took part in a parade. When I was going to the

meeting spot a group of Japanese people „attacked‟ me with their cameras and

started taking pictures of myself. It was scary but funny as well.

Unfortunately everything comes to an end. In my opinion it was a great meeting. My

dream is to meet all of the project partners again at the same time and to stay in

touch of course.

Summarizing, I had a wonderful time and it is hard missing all the colleagues.

Marta Fiszer

Intercultural Dialogue through Music is an educational programme in which our school

has participated.

On 2 June we went for the last, final

meeting of the Comenius programme. In

the morning we went by bus - from the

school building to the airport in Warsaw.

The flight was good, everything went

fine and in the afternoon we reached

Kazanlak. Next we went to the host

families – we had a great time with them

in Bulgaria. On the next day we worked

hard. The time spent in the music studio

and recording a CD was nice too. A really

impressing and warm meeting in the

school of Kazanlak is worth mentioning

too. All of us were given a wreath made

of roses and some rose oil. During the recording we also rehearsed for the concert

and then we made a video clip altogether. At 9 pm the concert started. Afterwards

we all went for dinner where we enjoyed tasty Bulgarian dishes and danced a

traditional dance of the country.

I spent the following day with my Bulgarian colleague Radostina. We walked around

the town and went to the fairground and in the evening we celebrated the holiday of

roses with Radostina‟s friends.

Next day all the Comenius group went to the beach by The Black Sea. I spent all

Sunday with Radostin - at about 12 we were at the parade and later Radostina‟s

friend joined us and we strolled around the town together. When we came back home

we went by quad to an orchard for some cherries. Later, the time for the last dinner

together came. We watched our video clip, reminded ourselves and enjoyed the

results of our common work. We were having tasty Bulgarian food and everybody was

having fun dancing and talking to each other.

Next day in the morning we had to say goodbye to our great host families and start

our journey back to Gdynia.

I believe, it was one of the most beautiful weeks in my life. I am glad I met so many

fine people who I will miss very much. I am sorry that the meeting was so short

because I got on with my host family and the Comenius project people really well. I

hope I will meet them again.

Marta Turzyńska

On 2nd June we left for the final Project meeting In Bulgaria. We recorded songs

and a video clip together with the students from other countries. We performed on

the stage in front of the audience who enjoyed the concert very much. For five days

we lived at Bulgarian families and we spent time with other students. We went

sightseeing , bought souvenirs, had meals in tasteful restaurants and to make it

short, we had real fun together. Despite the fact we speak different languages and

not everybody could speak English, we got on really well and had a great time

together. In my opinion the meeting was successful. There was one thing only which I

didn‟t like – it was that the meeting lasted five days only – we just met each other

and had to leave so soon. During the stay in Bulgaria I met many nice students and I

will be missing them very much. I hope we will meet again someday.

Oliwia Rutkowska

Oliwia and I were staying at two girls‟ – Rositsa and Tsvetelina. Although they didn‟t

speak English and sometimes it was hard to communicate, we had a pleasant time

together. All their family were very nice. Some funny situations happened as they

didn‟t understand English. For example when we asked for an iron, we were given

supper.

Recording the CD and the video clip was a fine experience and according to me the

final concert was really good. At the end of the meeting a farewell dinner was

organized. We enjoyed watching the video clip and listening to our songs too. While

watching the clip everybody was laughing. Later we danced and talked to each other.

Everything I experienced in Bulgaria was great and I will never forget it. To sum up,

the meeting was marvelous, I met lots of fantastic people there. The family I was

staying at was very nice.

Karolina Mackiewicz

On 2 June at 4 am we went from the school

for a long awaited journey to Bulgaria. Before

the journey we practiced a lot and had

rehearsal for the performance at the concert.

Our trip from Gdynia to Kazanlak lasted about

13 hours. One of its attractions was Michal

Wisniewski – Polish pop star – who was sitting

by myself on the airplane.

When we came to Kazanlak my host family was

waiting for me. I spent a few days at their

place. They were a very nice and loving family

and I got on well with them. I learned about

their interests, customs and traditions.

Next day we recorded a CD with our main

project folk songs. It was a really great

experience because it was the first time I had

recorded a CD and also I recorded it in a

great company of persons of different

nationalities such as Bulgarians, Italians, Germans, Czechs and so on. I will miss those

acquaintances really much but we will communicate via Skype etc. In the afternoon

we performed at the concert on the main square of Kazanlak. The audience enjoyed

our performance and also watching and listening to other groups too.

Over the next days we visited Nesebar and other places – we were also by The Black

Sea, visited museums and admired ancient tombs. On the last day, the host family

took me to their allotment where they fish and rest by a lake in the summer. We

visited a vandalized museum from the communism era and a wind power plant. In the

evening all the Comenius group met at the festive dinner, we listened to the CD we

had recorded together and watched the video clip. We had a fine time together but

the worst, as usual, were goodbyes.

I hope that we will all meet again. The meeting will be an unforgettable memory to

me.

Łukasz Ptach

BULGARIA 02.06.10-07.06.2010 by England

DAY 1

We set off to Gatwick Airport at 1.30am! After a 34-hour flight we arrived at Sofia

Airport at 11.05am of Bulgarian local time and with no further delay we were picked

up from the airport by a mini bus where we were greeted by students and teachers

from Cyprus.

We arrived to beautiful, sunny weather but, initially, we could admire it only from our

mini bus as it took us about 3 hours to get to Kazanlak, a town in the valley of Roses.

When we finally reached our final destination, we were able to relax in our hotel- the

Hotel Rosa. The hotel was superb! We had lovely rooms, big space to enjoy our time

together and the dining room with constant access to coffee/tea/hot chocolate

machine, fruit and some sweets Moreover, the location of the hotel could not have

been better. It was in the town centre with a view of the main square and the

mountains.

We finished our first day in Bulgaria with a welcoming dinner in a nearby restaurant.

It was brilliant to meet all of our friends again, despite knowing that it was the last

meeting of our project.

DAY 2

This day was all about music!

In the morning, we went to our partner‟s school where we were greeted in the best

possible style - with chains of petals of Bulgarian Kazanluk rose ("Kazanlashka roza")

and local music. We were lucky enough to come to Kazanlak during the Rose Festival,

which is a celebration of the region being one of the biggest producers of rose oil in

the world!!!

At school, we recorded countries‟ projects songs, a project‟s anthem song and we shot

a video clip for it in the centre of Kazanlak. It was also the day of the concert, which

took place, impressively, on a professional stage set up for the Rose Festival which

was beginning the next day.

The concert was magnificent! The students sounded fantastic on the stage and they

looked beautiful in their traditional clothes. It was our last concert together so after

countries performed their own repertoires, everyone sang everyone‟s project songs

and the project anthem song. It was really moving to see this beautiful, colourful

crowd on the stage being united by a power of music.

To celebrate the great success of the concert we went to a lovely outdoor restaurant

with live, traditional music, dance and with something as spectacular as a show of

walking through burning coal.

DAY3

On the third day of our stay in Bulgaria we visited a

spectacular Shipka monastry,

which was built in the memory to the Russian

soldiers and Bulgarian volunteers

who died during in the Russian – Turkish Liberation

War of 1877-1878. The church was built in the style

of 17th century Russian cathedrals with its golden

domes which can be seen from a very long distance.

We also visited the Kosmatka Tomb, belonging to a Thracian king- Seuthus III who

most likely ruled in the fifth century BC. Although no remains of the king have been

yet found, archaeologists found a 2,500-year-old golden mask that was likely made

for a Thracian monarch's funeral, a golden ring showing a rower, and many bronze and

silver vessels. Inside one of the rooms they found a golden crown of oak leaves and

acorns, the first of any such objects found in Thracian temple.

Next on our list of things to see was a Thracian

Tomb, which has a unique example of a UNESCO

world heritage site. The tomb dates back to the end

of the 4th century BC and is famous for the best preserved wall paintings from the Hellenistic period in Bulgaria.

We then went to see a rose factory where rose oil is produced through a process of

double distillation. It was interesting to get to know that 3000 kg of roses is needed

to obtain one kilogram of rose oil!

Afterwards we went the Museum of History in Kazanlak where we learnt interesting

facts about the ancient Thracians occupying the south of Bulgaria.

We ended our day with dinner in a traditional Bulgarian restaurant and, afterwards,

with admiring the opening of the Rose Festival ceremony: a coronation ceremony of

Queen Rose for 2010/2011 and an impressive firework display.

DAY 4

This day was all about sun, beach and the sea!!!

Early in the morning, we set off for a long

journey to Nesbar on the Black Sea. We visited

the beautiful Old Town of Nesbar and went to

Sunny Beach afterwards, where we relaxed on

a beach. Some of us even had a swim!!!

We came back to Kazanlak at 10pm! We were

absolutely exhausted but happy with our day.

DAY 5

We spent the day watching the Rose Festival Parade which was officially opened by

the president of Bulgaria!!! The parade was really impressive and colourful. Moreover,

students participating in the Comenius

Project took part in it as well!

During the whole day we had free time to

do last minute shopping and begin packing

our luggage. Finally, when evening came, we

were all ready for our last Comenius

Project dinner where we celebrated the

success of the Comenius Project. There

were many speeches, many thank yous and

promises to keep in touch but also much

singing and dancing. We also saw, for the

first time, the Project videoclip!

Before we realized, the evening was over and we had to go back to our hotel to get

some sleep and finish packing our language.

DAY 6

The last day….The day when we had to say goodbye not only to Bulgaria but to the

whole Comenius Project. Although we were really saddened that such a great.

Although we were really saddened that such a great part of students‟ and teachers‟

life is over, we feel enriched and grateful for being able to meet so many wonderful

people and to get to know the culture of their mother lands.

Students from Poniatowa in Kazanlak – Bulgaria

The Last International Meeting of the participants of the Project: “Intercultural

Dialogue Through Music” took part from 2 -7 June 2010 in Kazanlak, Bulgaria. Our

school was represented by the following students: Amelia Kramek, Jagoda Wiracka,

Joanna Mazurek, Agnieszka Szwajgier and Daria Pochodyła together with their

teachers: Barbara Kramek, Jolanta Zarzycka and the headteacher - Mirosław

Plandowski .

We started our journey on the 2nd of June early in the morning. First we went to the

Warsaw airport and then to Sofia and Kazanlak. It was my first flight and the first

visit to Bulgaria so I was very excited.

On the first day we were very surprised with a great greeting the Bulgarian school

prepared for us. We were decorated with roses and a big bread was shared by

everybody. It was also a bit hard-working day – we had rehearsals and we recorded a

video clip and all the partner songs in the school music studio. In the afternoon we

took part in the Grand Concert. Each group performed in colourful folk clothes and

sang their national songs. We sang 2 songs: ,,Czerwone korale‟‟ and ,,Cieszta się

chłopoki‟‟. At the end we all sang the Project Anthem: “The Circle of Friends” which

was written by our school. So we were very proud and happy. It was very nice

experience to sing and work together – we could meet and talk to the other students

which was good fun – they all were so interesting and friendly.

During the next days we made even more of interesting things and we visited many

marvellous places of Bulgaria. We were sightseeing historical places and museums, we

took part in a colourful Parade along the streets of Kazanlak, we saw the real Queen

of Roses and we even were bathing and swimming in the Black Sea.

Unfortunately everything which is good ends fast. On the 7th of June we had to say:

“Good Bye” to each other. Everybody had tears in eyes because we really liked

Bulgaria and the friendly, warm people we met there.

For us it was the best and the most colourful meeting ever.

To Poland we took lots of fascinating memories which will stay in our hearts forever!

Daria Pochodyła