Polish Easter Traditions

Well, Easter is over… unfortunately. It is always anticipated impatiently and then passes so quickly. Every student ( and a teacher) is waiting for this spring holiday to catch some breath and to have some fun. Why? Well…

Easter in Poland lasts two days. After long Lent, we celebrate the Holy Week starting with Palm Saturday. On that day worshippers bring to a church palms made of different sorts of painted grass or branches of catkins decorated with paper ribbons and flowers. The palms blessed by a priest and brought back home are thought to bring luck to all inhabitants all the year round.

Next important day is Holy Thursday. In churches bells fall silent and rattles and clappers take their place. On Good Friday Christian community commemorates Jesus’ path to crucification. In the evening many people go to church for a special service called “The Adoration of the Cross”.

The power of tradition is particularly visible on Holy Saturday, when crowds of people head for churches with beautiful baskets filled with food called “święconka”.

The preparation of the baskets is perhaps the most popular Easter ritual. The baskets, which are lined with white napkins, usually contain coloured hard-boiled eggs, bread, cold meats, horseradish, pepper, salt and of course – Easter sugar lamb. Another popular Polish tradition is painting Easter eggs – children like it very much. The easiest way to get eggs of a golden-brown colour is to put the eggs into a pot filled with water and onion skins. The longer the eggs are boiled the darker the colour they obtain. In some regions they scratch beautiful floral patterns on eggs boiled this way. After these preparations families go together to church bringing with them the food in their Easter baskets to be blessed by a priest and eaten next morning at Easter table. On Easter Sunday many families sit down to Easter table after the Resurrection Mass, which is held at dawn. The whole family gathered at the festive table pass around best wishes. Then, especially in big cities the whole family go for a walk from church to church to admire the decorated symbolic tombs of Christ.

The funniest moments, however, happen on Easter Monday or Wet Monday. In Poland it is called “Śmigus-dyngus” and you must be prepared to a decent shower of cold water, or in some social circles – sprinkle of perfumes. Which is better? Well… both are good I think, if the water doesn’t come in hectolitres nor the perfumes are mixed together and choking.

THOUGHTS ON NADA'S KADLECOVA VISIT TO VERIA ,KAVASSILA HIGH SCHOOL IN GREECE.

On a sunny day, Nada my etwin sister, arrived at “Makedonia” airport in Thessaloniki. She looked ,exactly,like in the numerous photos she had sent me so far. In front of me, it was Nada in flesh. Our first meeting touched both of us a lot.
My husband drove us to our home city,Veria. I introduced her to my family,my parents, my sister. She was so talkative and friendly, as she had been during the endless hours of chatting on Skype,making plans for the etwinning project and exchanging experiences.I felt as if I had known her for ages and she became part of my family at once.
During her presense at my school, all the students were charmed by her.They wanted to speak with her and two lucky classes enjoyed a lesson with her! I , personally, admired the Czech teacher ,who, full of life and energy, was eager and willing to learn everything about our educational system way of life customs traditions.She never felt tired to answer questions about her country, her school, her way of life.
These four days we spent together,I believe, were very short time to share and exchange teaching ideas but enough to feel very close.I hope after the sightseeing in my area ,she has got a clearer idea of ancient greek history.
In future, I hope and wish to meet my sister Nada again, because now, I am sure I have something very precious. Her friendship!

Final Meeting of Comenius in Mittweida - my point of view

It's been a long time since I published my last post so I decided to write here something more... and I got the idea that I could write about final meeting of Comenius in Mittweida (Germany).

Comenius was a program which started on 19.11.2003 and ended on 27.3.2006 - it's motto was "A democratic school for a new Europe" and it's sence was to improve the cooperation between schools and to make it possible for students to be respected when trying to change something in school.
Thanks to Comenius, also the students' council in our school was formed.
There were six school representing six countries altogether:

Städtisches Gymnasium Mittweida - Mittweida, Germany

Frederujsbirg Gymnasium og HF - Hillerod, Denmark

Liceo Linguistico Provinciale - Palermo, Italy

Zespol Skol Ogolnoksztalcacych - Warsaw, Poland

Madame de Stael College - Geneva, Switzerland

Gymnázium Česká Lípa - Česká Lípa, the Czech Republic

In every school, there was a meeting of Comenius, in Mittweida were two meetings - the first, and the final...

The final meeting was from 23.3.-27.3.2006. There were 3 people going to Comenius meeting and 5 people going to students' councils meeting which was organised for our students' council and for students' council from Mittweida. And there were 3 teachers going with us. I was going to the students' councils meeting.

We were leaving Česká Lípa on Thursday 23.3. at about 15:30. We went by a train to Děčín, then by an eurocity train to Dresden, then by an intercity train to Chemnitz and finally by a train to Mittweida - when we were going by the last train, to Mittweida, we went by a train which has two floors what was something so unknown for us - you can guess which floor we chose to sit. I also remember that - I have to note that nobody from us could speak German excellently - we heard "Mittweida" so we went down to the first floor and when the train stopped, we got off. ... But it seemed strange to us. It seemed so little, so abandoned - just so strange that it should be a train station in a city with about 60 000 people. So one boy from our group went to see the writing on the station - and he screamed at us "Alt Mittweida (note: Alt Mittweida = Old Mittweida)!" So all 11 people who got off the train almost like by an order got very quickly back... I have to say that when we told our German friends about that, they seemed to have fun...

So finally, we got to Mittweida - honestly, it wasn't bad to know we are there... There, it was so confusing... All people hugging, shaking hands, everyone speaking at the very same time... and this all in a foreign language (and after we still spoke Czech in the train...) But it got better very soon. When someone called "Karolina" (ok, don't ask about their pronouncation of our names - but it was the lowest important problem), I immediately came to him. Then I realised that there was a girl who told him my name and that she was my host... Before we went to Mittweida, I got a letter from girl called Ewelina telling me that I will live by her - so I wasn't suprised. The girl looked very nice, was quite small with long brown hair and had piercings in her face. She asked me if we would go. I agreed, quickly said "Bye" to my friends and left the train station with her. We went to her car and drove 'home' - Ewelina wrote me she was 18 so I knew it was possible that she would drive a car. She also wrote me she lived about 5 mins (I supposed it means minutes) from school and that she is the only child. Everything seemed OK - the girl said me it would take about 15 minutes to get home so I though she did a little mistake in the letter.

We didn't live in Mittweida but in Burgstadt which is a little bit more than 15 km from Mittweida - I don't know exactly. The way took us about 20 minutes. We were speaking almost all the way. My experiences with Germans speaking English weren't very good but the girl spoke English very well. Then we came home and I met her tom-cat, Numa. Then, she introduced me to her mum. Her mum couldn't speak an English word so we "communicated" by mime (but we understood each other) - or if it was possible, the girl was translating for us - but she was very nice. The girl showed me my room - she apologized for the room being messy but the room seemed beautiful to me. It was very small, just 'bed', a little table and some decorations - but I liked it very much. I ate pizza for dinner and then we went to meet the girl's friends.

We met the girl's friends in one club. We spoke to them and it was a very nice surprise for me that they tried to speak English - either to me or between themselves. They were interested in my opinions about Germany and about the Czech Republic and we talked and talked... After some time, we went home and went to sleep soon.

Next day, we got up, I ate my breakfast, we both got us ready and then my host girl took me to school. We both supposed that I am going to Dresden in the afternoon.
Well, we got to school. There, I got to know that only people who are in Comenius Project may go to Dresden - really great begging of the day. Our students' councils had a special program - firt, they showed us their school and then, in the morning, we spoke about what changed in our schools from Comenius meeting in Česká Lípa (which took place on 24.11.-28.11.2005) and about free time activities which are at our schools during school years. When we finished, it was almost time to eat - and they prepared really great lunch. There were lots of different cakes, sweets, pies etc. It was really fine.

In the afternoon, we went to play bowling. It was fine... but don't even ask about my score... OK, it could be worse... We mainly talked there - about some interesting topics - maybe, it will be better if I say only this... But when I was talking to Marie and another girl - I don't remember her name, two German girls... there was one big surprise for me: I got to know that I wasn't living by Ewelina but by Livia. From that time, I am going to introduce to everyone who I don't know also if I think I know who the person is...

After bowling, we were free - it was 5 p.m. already. I wanted to call Livia to tell her we had just finished - but my telephone didn't want to work... Great, this always cheers up... So I had to lend a telephone and then I waited. Livia arrived after almost three quarters of hour but I wasn't agry as I usually am. Not only because I didn't want to be, I simply wasn't... We went to meet some Livia's friends near Mittweida. Livia told me we had to wait for her friend and her guest (who was in Dresden) and then we all would go to Chemnitz where we were supposed to meet with others. After some time, it could be about hour and a half, Livia's friend called so we went to pick them up. I was introduced to Dietlind and her guest, Polish girl Pasza. Then, we all went to our home and then to Chemnitz.

In Chemnitz, Dietlind took Pasza to the club while we - I and Livia - were looking for a parking place. It was full everywhere but after about ten minutes we found one free place. Livia was joking - she said "We got a park place. We won a lottery." Then we met Dietlind and we three went to a little walk and to McDonald's. We came to the club later but I didn't mind it. I enjoyed the time I spent by talking to Livia and Dietlind - we spoke mainly about schools in Germany and in the Czech Republic and I have found out many interesting things. In the club, there were many people but I talked to two German girls, Marie and another one - unfortunatelly, I already forgot her name. We spoke about everything and had a really great time. We left the club after midnight and went home. Normally, I don't have problems with going to bed late - but this day, I was sooo tired I wanted to go to sleep.

On Saturday, we went to school... to find out that I shouldn't be at school... or better, that I should come in the afternoon. Oh, how I love things like this... So Livia took me to their shopping-center near Chemnitz. It was big but great in there. We again spent a lot of time talking until it was the noon and Livia had to take me to school.
In the school, we tried to think out how our students' councils could continue our cooperations - because Comenius Project ended but we wouldn't like also the cooperation between students' councils to end.
Then, there were some presentations from every school and all teachers talked about what they think about the project and if it helped etc. Our students' councils also had one special presentation about our cooperation. Between presentations, there were people singing songs or playing the piano etc.
After all presentations, we were free and I went with Livia to her friends again. It never stopped to be fun for me. In the evening, Livia took me to a "disco" where I was supposed to meet with others but she disclaimed to go with me. She only promised she would come later. Almost all the evening, I chatted with Betty, who was another German girl - we spoke about everything and I - again - enjoyed it very much. Livia came after about two hours and we went home - we took Betty and her guest - Honza (who was also from our school) to Alt Mittweida and then went home.

On Sunday, I was again free. Livia showed me Burgstadt, we chatted a little more - and then, it was time to leave. We could - like others - stay in Mittweida till Monday but some students from our school had some important exams on Monday so our teachers decided to leave on Sunday. Livia took me to the train station. Almost everybody else was already there and we were there much sooner than we had to be... We talked and talked for so long time and then everyone was hugging everyone, still saying "Bye!" that we nearly missed the train...
And then we went by train from Mittweida to Chemnitz... then we went by train to Dresden... then we went by train to Děčín... then we went by train to - I think - Bakov nad Jizerou... then we went by train to Česká Lípa... and then we were at home.
The adventure has ended.

Many time was spent by chatting which never stopped to be fun... Many new friends have met... Sometimes, there were funny moments - mistakes, poeple speaking to wrong people by wrong language... There were many surprises... There were many things to learn... There isn't word which would be enough for that meeting - but you may try to choose one... For example: Excellent, Amazing, Wonderful, Breathtaking, ...

I liked it all very much. I met great people, could do something useful, learnt a lot, practised my English, ... I wrote so much but it is nothing if I think about everything what happened in Mittweida or on the way there and back...
If I had a chance, I would surely go there again. And if I will get a chance go get into another project like this, I will surely accept it. My first "exam" will be our Greek friends coming on Tuesday... and then? Who can know...?

Happy Easter our dear Greek friends

This week our dear Greek friends are celebrating Easter . It is a very important time in Greece because families are together and they are enjoying this time very much. We have learned a lot about Easter and there is more information about this festival from my friend Eleni.

Today, Big Thursday , I am going to dye the eggs red and make a tsoureki. In the evening we will go to the village to attend the religious service there. Jesus Christ is crucified today according to the Orthodox church and we will offer Him flowers at church. The priest will get his body from the cross and women will stay at church all night to keep the dead body. The biggest mourning in the Orthodox starts tonight and ends tomorrow with the Epitaph. The epitaph is Christ’s dead body ,decorated with many flowers. On good Friday evening . There is a big procession of people that accompany the dead Christ to his grave. The priest and a choir sing psalms and hymns in the streets and I can say that there is a mystagogy that night.
So I will be very busy the following days. On Saturday and Sunday I will be at the village to celebrate Easter .I hope you are well all these days and take care of yourself and your husband. Keep in mind that our closest persons need our attention and affection.

Happy Easter to all our dear friends and students in Kavasila High School and Veria.

Czech students and teachers from Gymnasium Ceska Lipa are sending you best wishes.

Happy birthday to you

On Saturday evening all my friends invited me to the pub. I didn't know that they wanted to celebrate my birthday at the same time. It was a lovely evening. I had a chance to eat different seafood. Octupus, shripms, fish and many other things which I do not remember the name.

At midnight, the waiter brought a pink cake with a rose and a candle shaped as a questionmark. I was really touched. I started crying. It was for the first time since my mum had died when I had a birthday cake. I will never forget this beautiful moment. We talked for a long time and we went to bed very late. It was my last evening in Greece.

Mountains

In Veria and all around ,you can see a lot of mountains. These beautiful giants are standing in magnificent silence and looking at you. If I had had more time, I would have climbed some of them. But I could only admire them every morning when we were leaving the mountain house where we stayed during nights.

We are cooking

Because we are doing a part of the project about Czech and Greek dishes, my friend Eleni tried to cook some Greek dishes for me. One of them was Pastitsio, which I really liked and realized that I would be able to make it.

I wrote down the recipe and I will definitely try it at home. During my stay I tried also other things like feta cheese with chilly pepers on a piece of bread whashed by UZO or Cipro. I really love Greek salad and I will prepare it at home to remind me of the time I spent in Greece. My friends also took me to the fast food restaurant to try souvlaki and gyros. I must say that Greek cuisine is very interesting and good.

History is all around you

When you are in Greece, you can see history everywhere. In old narrow streets of Veria, you can see old Makedonian doors, old family churches, churches full of coloured icons and pictures, deserted Jewish houses, old bridges. Not far from Veria there is one of the most interesting places in Greece. Vergina.

I have heard about this place a lot but when I stood in front of the door of Philip II's tomb, I couldn't speak. I thought about all those years which had passed from his death. I remembered the film Alexander the Great and I wanted to see it again. I wanted to live that time again

on the screen of the Tv. I also could admire all those things which had been found in the tomb. Golden jewellery, pots, boxes and a lot of wreaths. One of them was made of golden oak leaves. Why oak? I didn't know that the oak is the symbol of Makedonia.

Then we went to see the Palace and the theatre when Philip II had been killed.
It was my best birthday present which I got from my friend to take me here. To let me see these things. Thank you for that once more.

Greek People

My host family was so nice that I didn´t feel lonely at all and I had always something to do.

One of my biggest experiences was Thursday evening when I went to the dancing club with Eleni and her husband George. I only wanted to take some pictures, but suddenly I was dancing with the others.

About fifty people of all ages meet twice a week in the gym and they practise Greek dances. When there are some celebrations, they dance them in public. If I lived there in Veria, I would go to the dancing club, too. What I really like was the different age of the dancers. There were young and oldish people, men and women, all together.

In the library

We have spent nice moments together in the library. The next day almost all the students brought me some presents for my students again. It was hard to leave them. The next day I was very happy when they said hello to me in the corridors when we met. I was like at our school. The library is really the heart of the school. I really liked this place very much. My dear friend Eleni was a good guide and she taught me some more Greek words. I can count up to one hundred now. Kalinichta. Efcharisto. Thank you for everything.

Part two- old Greek game

Kostas is a PE teacher from Kavasila High School who has a project with our PE teacher Alena Mayova. Their topic is about old games.

I was very curious if they have learnt the Czech game which we had called Beating out.

It is true that I had to help them with some details. Then the students showed me the game called Fainida which had been the one sent to our school. I could see that the Greek game was more familiar to them and they were very good at it. The first day at school was very nice and I had a feeling that I had known them for a long time.

My diary from a Greek trip part one

The first day 13th April. The morning is very cold but I am looking forward to visiting the school which I know only from the internet eTwinning programme.Kavasila High School.

My friend Eleni Kostopulou is driving me to school from the mountain house where I have spent the first night in Greece. We stop in a small bakery for breakfast. I am learning another Greek word PSOMI which means bread. We are eating cheese pie and hurrying to school.

I am a bit nervous from all the things which are waiting for me today. Eleni is taking me to the headmaster´s office and I can see a very handsome tall man with white hair. His name is Paschalis and he is the very important person at school. While we are drinking a cup of coffee, other teachers are coming to greet me and they all are very friendly. I can see that they all have been informed about my visit. I try to practice my few Greek words. Kalimera. Ty kanete. Ja su. Everybody is very friendly.

Here is the bell and we are going to the classroom. My first meeting Greek children face to face. They are a bit shy and I have to ask them first. Later they dare to ask me some questions about the Czech Republic.

They want to know about our school as much as possible.

After the main break I am going to the library and I am meeting our partner students. I have some presents for them from my students and I feel like Santa Claus. We are watching a DVD about Ceska Lipa and I am telling them some details. They are nice and want to know everything. Anastazia wants to know more about her pen friend Martin from my group. The visit in the school was a great experience for me. I was glad that I could be there.

I am very impressed by the librarian Eleni who is in the eTwinning project with our librarian Renata. Eleni is very attractive and she is very patient with all the students who are coming to the library during breaks and want to find some information. She has a kind word for everyone. I can see that she is a friend for all the teachers too and helps everybody at school.

My big trip is coming

On Wednesday, 12th April, I am flying to Greece to see my friends in Veria and Thessaloniki. I am looking forward to seeing all my friends and I hope I will learn some Greek.

When I come back home, Despina Ganidou and her students are coming to visit our school.It is a pity that we can´t meet also our friends from Veria in our town. We would like to show our friends as much as possible.

At the moment we are learning about Easter in the Czech Republic and in Greece. Later we will compare these two festivals. I will write about my trip to Greece a diary to remember every precious moment with my twin sister Eleni from the eTwinning project.