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National Parks - Comenius project

Teacher impressions

    The meeting in Osijek, Croatia was yet another successful one for our project “National Parks of Europe”. We made some very important decisions of how to continue the development of this Comenius project and some arrangements for the remaining meetings. We had the chance to experience the shocking evidences of the Independence war of the Croatian people. The bullet traces on the buildings’ facades were contrasting with the well developed and modern cities of Osijek and Vukovar. The plain fields were beautiful as well as the river Drava and the mighty Danube. But most of all we were impressed of the hospitality and positive attitude of our hosts and local people.

Iliya Petkov, Project Coordinator, SOU “Ivan Vazov”, Sopot, Bulgaria
 
   On the 26th of February we arrived in Osijek for the current meeting of the National Parks of Europe project. On arrival, it was really good to see our friends again. The accommodation was perfect, we were completely satisfied.
On the first day, there was a really brilliant opening cermony with music and dance. We Hungarians received a special gift, as dancers from the local Hungarian minority school presented a fantastic show of Hungarian folk dance. It was very moving for us. Then we signed a partnership contract with the Osijek school, which is very important for us. And also, we got very nice presents from the partners. Then we had a pleasant sightseeing in the historical town.
The next day we went to Vukovar, and took part in a trip. It was very exciting and shocking at the same time to see the traces of the Croatian Homeland war.
The we visited an ethno-village and we spent a really pleasant day there. The lunch here was exciting. And in addition, the closing dinner was fantastic – the food, the atmosphere, the hospitality and we could enjoy Croatian traditional music.
All in all, Hrvoje was a great host, and all Osijek too, maybe the greatest of all.
 
Laci
 
     To begin with, we were happy to go to one of the nicest European countries and to see in different way not in summer and not for the beaches, so it will stay our hearts. The journey was long and tiring with some misunderstandings and problems, but we learnt a lot: to search for a missing luggage, to solve various situations, to give interview, to be responsible for teenagers (boys).The meeting and work at school went ok, thank you for coordinator, everything went like it was mentioned in the schedule. We enjoyed surroundings, school, Osijek, people we saw. We enjoyed the old town of Osijek. It was unusual to travel to Freedom road which is so important to Croatian people, but it was unforgettable experience. We understood how it is important to Croatian, and how we do not pay attention to the details of freedom in Lithuania. It was great to see some landmarks, various nice Osijek, Vukovar, Karanac places. We enjoyed food as well. We enjoyed long discussions and talks with our friends- teachers. All in all, we understood how it is important this relationship was a pity we didn’t visit Plitvica National park for the bad weather conditions but the visit was incredible.

                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                     Inga and Minole
 

It was great to see you again in Osijek. We managed to get to Croatia almost on time. Due to bad weather in Germany we had some delays, not to mention missing baggage. Luckily, Hrvoje and Filip with his father were waiting for us at the train station. To begin with, I'd like to thank for warm welcoming at school. The artistic show was excellent, especially dances. Osijek has got a really remarkable market square. I also enjoyed a journey on an old tramway, which reminded me of similar trams which used to go along streets of Wroc??aw. It was surprising to me to see Vucovar, the city which hasn't been rebuilt yet. It still evokes memories of difficult 1990s civil war. Finally, I really appreciated our evening dinner for teachers. Cosy atmosphere of a restaurant and a feast of fish meals accompanied by a music band give an unforgettable expierence. Many thanks to our hosts.
                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                              Jarek from Poland

    Here we had achieved one more meeting. With every meeting we became closer and saved a lot of memories for our future.
The meeting in Osijek started with a nice ceremony; we were all surprised by the dance of Hungarian Minority School. It was excellent. So was the school. While touring the school we had the chance of different educational workshops. The students were also busy with the activities, they learnt many words in Croatian language. The sightseeing in Osijek was another experience for us. The tram was very nostalgic. I felt myself one of the main character (Mrs Beckers) in the history of Osijek.
We had TV interviews about the national parks and our staying there. The students had the interviews too. On the second day, they had a nice workshop in Karanac village together. The products at the end was worth seeing.
In fact with this project, we are getting used to tolerate others and try to understand cultural and traditional concepts of each countries. Our students had the feeling that somehow they were luckier than others. Now they are at the door which opens to different lives, new perspectives and new ideas. Even today after one week from the meeting they still remember every detail of their staying in Osijek. There is a nice smile on their faces on the other hand, tears for the friendship that they had.
                                                                                                             Nigar Demiröz & Ali Demir (Ankara-Türkiye)


 

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