Christmas time in the Basque Country-The story of OLENTZERO, by Marina and Raquel
In Basque Country woods, many years ago, a very pretty fairy was living. The fairy had blond long hair and such a brilliant eyes. Like all fairies, she always took care of all the people and she was always accompanied by some creatures called Prakagorri (red trousers) that they helped her in all her work.
Oliwia Solarska's memories
I remember the day when Mrs Zofia made a list of people who are going to Spain.I was so excited - I hoped that I was there. Unfortunately I wasn't on this list.
Konstancja Radiczew and her memories
I was thinking a lot what I could write here in my memories. I really do not know what I should start with. Hmm...
Faustyna's impressions
When I was informed about the opportunity to travel to Spain I felt very happy. Yet, I didn't realize that it would be such an unbelievable journey.
Everything I saw, ate and experienced was wonderful. Every moment in that beautiful place on Earth with warm people is for me a very special memory.
I would like to say thank you to all of my Spanish friends for every hour spent with them and for their positive energy. I miss them so much. I want to thank Irune. Not only for taking me to her house and accommodating me very well, but also for being such a wonderful person as she is.
Saying goodbye on the airport was very tough for me, despite the fact that I believe that I will visit Bilbao one day again. I am waiting for your visit in Poland. I can’t really wait to see you here. See you soon my friends.
Kasia Janicka's impressions
I can't believe that one month ago we had to say goodbye... sorry, SEE YOU SOON! :). This time was amazing. I don't know what I should write. Maybe, thank you!
Oliwia Zwada remembers
When I got into Comenius exchange, I was very happy. I counted the days to go. When they finally came, I was a little bit nervous and excited.
When we arrived to Bilbao, Comenius team greeted us very happily. I lived with María in her flat. She and her parents were very nice and caring. I felt well with them. Everything for me was a new experience.
My experiences from Spain – by Julia Śmiechowska
I don’ t know about what I should write at first. It was really amazing! Bilbao is a very beautiful place. I loved being on the beach but the best for me are people whom I met. They made this trip special.
Thanks to Maialen for being my host and friend! Thank you for all our photos (it will be more).
Julia Makowska writes about her experience
This exchange was really fantastic experience in my life. I met a lot of interesting and nice people. I have never met someone much positive and hearty like in Barakaldo. That's why I loved spending time with them. We visited a lot of beautiful and amazing places. Although sometimes it was hard (for example - long walks) it was worth seeing these wonderful places and views. Especially if we had a company like this :)
Oliwia Glubiak's impressions
When I found out that I was accepted into the program Comenius I was very happy. I was very curious what my Spanish person will be. I want to thank you for choosing me the perfect person - Maider.
Let’s plant a tree for peace!
On 10 October we celebrate Tree Day in Poland. It is a national action for planting trees. That’s why we decided to plant an oak today. Our message is: Let’s plant a tree for peace!
This tree is a gift from our friends from Barakaldo. It comes from Gernika, which was bombed in 1937 and is the symbol of peace.
Gernikako Arbola (the tree of Gernika in Basque) is an oak tree that symbolizes traditional freedoms for the Biscayan people, and by extension for the Basque people as a whole. The Lords of Biscay (including the early kings of Castile and Carlist pretenders to the throne) swore to respect the Biscayan liberties under it, and the modern Lehendakari of the Basque Country swears his charge there.
For us this tree is a symbol of freedom and peace, too.
We hope that it will grow near our school and remind us of our friendship.
Best wishes from Ostrów Wielkopolski!
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This tree is a gift from our friends from Barakaldo. It comes from Gernika, which was bombed in 1937 and is the symbol of peace.
Gernikako Arbola (the tree of Gernika in Basque) is an oak tree that symbolizes traditional freedoms for the Biscayan people, and by extension for the Basque people as a whole. The Lords of Biscay (including the early kings of Castile and Carlist pretenders to the throne) swore to respect the Biscayan liberties under it, and the modern Lehendakari of the Basque Country swears his charge there.
For us this tree is a symbol of freedom and peace, too.
We hope that it will grow near our school and remind us of our friendship.
Best wishes from Ostrów Wielkopolski!
Meriem remembers
Well… Everything began with a call, which said that I had the chance to be in Comenius program, and if I wanted to take in a Polish person. Of couse I wanted to, so I accepted it. After that, a countdown started. I had curiosity to know who was gonna be my Polish person. And I feel so grateful because Óscar and Sergio chose the perfect person to me, Oliwia. We were so similar to each other, she became my little sister, my friend. She knows that she has a bed, a plate here whenever she wants to come.
Sergio's memories
One week ago we said goodbye to our new Polish mates at the airport. We felt sad, it was a difficult moment. But now, we can look back and think about the awesome week we have been able to enjoy. It has been one of the busiest of our life, but I´m sure it has been the best. These seven days haven´t only been an exchange and some trips. It has been an amazing experience. We have met each other, we have discovered our cultures, we have learnt the importance of peace, we have visited wonderful places, we have made excellent friends, we have laughed…
Farewell party-Final show
The final day arrived and, although a bit sad, we could celebrate our brotherhood by means of music, humor sketches and other creative performances. Playing the piano, the flute, the cello and the clarinet, as well as singing several songs -especially the famous We are the World-, was the best way of showing and displaying our main goal, namely, to fortify our peaceful beliefs. Everyone could hear that WE WANT TO LIVE IN PEACE.
Dear friends, it's time to prepare the next meeting. See you soon in Poland!!
Family Day
Enclosed you will find the photos taken during the Sunday Holy Mass and the lunch organized by the families. The atmosphere was great!
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Donostia-San Sebastián and Biarritz
The day couldn't have been any better. The photos speak volumes... Beach, friendship, and a sunny day spent together! We won't forget it... It's wonderful be part of the very same family!!
Gesture of Peace, Decalogue for Peace, Visiting Gernika and San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
Today, we have joined forces and displayed our desire to bring about peace in this world. We want to imagine a new horizon, we want to avoid any violence, we want use "words instead of swords". Thus, every student at Barakaldo school has taken part in the gesture of peace, namely, a banner formed by many Primary, Secondary and High School students, holding letters which expressed our desire: WE WANT PEACE IN THE WORLD. We have also danced and read our Decalogue for Europe, composed at the beginning of the day. The atmosphere was nice. The last moment has been related to our Basque culture, because two sprouts belonging to the Gernika Tree have been given to both schools, as a symbol of peace and brotherhood. Visiting Gernika and the Casa de Juntas, the ancient Basque traditional parliament, as well as San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, has been our activity after having lunch. Watching the sunset from Gaztelugatxe is priceless!
And this is our decalogue for Peace:
1. Let's use words instead of swords.
2. There are no words to describe pain of war.
3. Maybe we have different religions, but the mankind has the right to live in peace.
4. Let's delete people's differences to be able to live in peace.
5. We mustn't look down on other countries.
6. Let's show our compassion towards other men and women.
7. Let's have positive attitude in bad moments.
8. We can get a more peaceful world through patience.
9. Let's foster the culture of dialogue and mutual trust.
10. Let's build a world or solidarity and peace based on justice.
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And this is our decalogue for Peace:
1. Let's use words instead of swords.
2. There are no words to describe pain of war.
3. Maybe we have different religions, but the mankind has the right to live in peace.
4. Let's delete people's differences to be able to live in peace.
5. We mustn't look down on other countries.
6. Let's show our compassion towards other men and women.
7. Let's have positive attitude in bad moments.
8. We can get a more peaceful world through patience.
9. Let's foster the culture of dialogue and mutual trust.
10. Let's build a world or solidarity and peace based on justice.
Barbecue in Gorliz and Positive Attitude
The third day of our meeting has been spent outdoors. The first reflection of the day was based on the importance of having a POSITIVE ATTITUDE, an adequate way of starting the morning, because the only difference between a good day and a bad day is our attitude. This saying has been proved today, indeed!
We have been in Gorliz, close to the beach, enjoying a barbecue and strenghened our brotherhood. The photos show it without doubt!
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We have been in Gorliz, close to the beach, enjoying a barbecue and strenghened our brotherhood. The photos show it without doubt!
We want to live in Peace
The second day of our meeting has finished. What can be said about it? It's been a day full of emotions. We started the day emphasizing the need of showing EMPATHY, namely, the ability to understand another person's feelings and experiences. The latter was our most important goal of the day. In fact, after sharing the previous work made both, in Ostrów and Barakaldo, focused on poetry (Emily Dickinson), music (Cat Stevens, Melanie Safka) and history (Ostrów and Barakaldo at war), and explained by some students, the Comenius students have composed several poems and lyrics devoted to PEACE. Undoubtedly, they will be the basis for our final anthem.
But the core activity took place at 11:30 h. It was a meeting with Mari Carmen Hernández, whose husband was killed by the terrorist group ETA in 2000. While she was telling her sad story, everyone listened in silence. Undoubtedly, her testimony has made a profound impression on all of us. She could recover from the tragic loss of her husband. Her deep beliefs and faith have been helpful in this regard. It's been difficult to hold back our tears... Thanks, Mari Carmen, for encouraging us to fortify our peaceful convictions and beliefs!
Welcome, dear friends
It was around 23:30 h, when we could finally shake hands and meet our new friends. It was also time to have a rest, because after two flights everyone was very tired.
Today, we've met together in the theatre and, according to our style and motto, we've discovered that beyond our differences there is a big family. Dances, speeches, music, gifts... everything has been welcome to celebrate our friendship, which was born one year ago.
After this first moment shared with Secondary and High School students, there has been a time dedicated to deal with PEACE, the topic which will be the center of our work throughout this week. The value of Patience in our everyday life, the need of creating new worlds (in this regard, John Lennon's song, IMAGINE, has been quite inspirating), and showing our artistical and practical skills --art and crafts by using recicled material and rubbish-- with the word peace in several languages, have been our activities today.
Then, we've visited the Guggenheim Museum in the afternoon, and later on, the Casco Viejo in Bilbao. A busy day, in short, but plenty of emotions and nice feelings. Welcome, dear friends!
Schedule for the COMENIUS visit
Enclosed is the schedule we have foreseen for the visit of our Polish friends.
Cat Stevens and Melanie Safka
You can see how the work on Peace is going on at the Barakaldo school. In fact, the students belonging to 4th ESO and Bachillerato are analysing and aiming to understand better the songs written by two pacifist singers. Their songs "Lay Down (Candles in the rain)" and "Morning has broken" became very famous in the 70's. They both will be the basis for our reflection. Enclosed are a couple of photos showing students of 4th ESO working with Cat Stevens' song.
Emily Dickinson literary work
As you know, our next meeting will be focused on PEACE. In this regard, the literary work of the American poet, Emily Dickinson, has been recently studied by our Polish friends. The lessons were led by the English teacher, and member of the Comenius team in Ostrów, Ewelina Ludwiczak. Once in Barakaldo, our guests will share with us their conclusions and reflections regarding Dickinson.
Emily Dickinson in Wikipedia
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Emily Dickinson in Wikipedia
Polish team
Attached are some photos showing the new students team from Ostrów Wielkopokski. They are about to visit our school, and from next Monday on, they will be part of our Barakaldo Salesian School family. We are looking forward to meeting you!
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