L'Aquila: to school after the earthquake
Going around L' Aquila
Steep, narrow streets, small arches ans ancient walls: L' Aquila is a stage on which we catch glimpses of other eras of history from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. And not too far away, beyond the city and the houses, we find the majestic Gran Sasso massif dominated by sporting facilities, a place for fun and amusement.
We walked a lot along the cobbled streets in L' Aquila and the centre is really beautiful. We saw the fountain of the ninety-nine spouts, we admired the churches (Saint Maria of Collemaggio, Saint Silvestro, Saint Peter and Saint Bernardino) and we went inside the thick walls of the fortress. The caves at Stiffe were impressive with the two underground waterfalls, but taking photographs was not allowed inside the caves.
We walked a lot along the cobbled streets in L' Aquila and the centre is really beautiful. We saw the fountain of the ninety-nine spouts, we admired the churches (Saint Maria of Collemaggio, Saint Silvestro, Saint Peter and Saint Bernardino) and we went inside the thick walls of the fortress. The caves at Stiffe were impressive with the two underground waterfalls, but taking photographs was not allowed inside the caves.
It's a pity that these magnificent buildings are now in ruins, but let's hope that they will soon be restored.
"Golden Hands" PILLOW LACE of L' Aquila
Lace has always been a women’s craft practised to make clothes more beautiful and to decorate homes. In L’
We attended a demonstration by a skilful specialist and we admired the way she handled all these bobbins and pieces of thread. It was a wonderful experience.
Christina and Ismini are trying their skills on the pillow. They produced their own lace!Katerina took a video of the demonstration with her camera.
Save the last dance for me!
It was a nice surprise when the students of I.T.A.S.S. welcomed us with songs! Listen to an aspiring singer!
Keep smiling, keep shining!
When the Greek eTwinning group arrived in L' Aquila, the students welcomed us with a beautiful song "That's what friends are for". Now we want to tell them to 'keep smiling, keep shining'.
A song written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager
THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR
Lyrics
And I never thought I'd feel this way
And as far as I'm concerned
I'm glad I got the chance to say
That I do believe I love you
And if I should ever go away
Well, then close your eyes and try to feel
The way we do today
And then if you can remember
Keep smilin', keep shinin'
Knowin' you can always count on me, for sure
That's what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for
Well, you came and opened me
And now there's so much more I see
And so by the way I thank you
Whoa, and then for the times when we're apart
Well, then close your eyes and know
These words are comin' from my heart
And then if you can remember, oh
Keep smiling, keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me, for sure
That's what friends are for
In good times, in bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
Oh, that's what friends are for
Whoa... oh... oh... keep smilin', keep shinin'
Knowin' you can always count on me, for sure
That's what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for
Keep smilin', keep shinin'
Knowin' you can always count on me, oh, for sure
'Cause I tell you that's what friends are for
For good times and for bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for (That's what friends are for)
On me, for sure
That's what friends are for
Keep smilin', keep shinin'
Earthquake in L' Aquila
ReutersWe were shocked and devastated about what happened in L' Aquila! The news about the terrible earthquake that hit the city of our friends went around the school from mouth to mouth. It was just a week ago that we were all together in L' Aquila, going around the city and visiting the places that were now in rubble. We tried to find out whether our friends were OK. When we found out they were alive, we were relieved but we can't stop worrying about them. We know they were going through a hard time.
Dear friends
We are so sorry! You have lost friends and relatives in the earthquake, your homes are in ruins. We are sending you our sympathy and we want to do anything that will help you. We know what it is like to suffer from an earthquake, because Greece is a country with many earthquakes, too. We hope your everyday life will soon come back to normal. We are thinking of you all the time!
Kalamatianos
'Kalamatianos' is a folk dance which is danced at every social gathering in Greece. Its name means a dance from Kalamata, a town in Peloponese, but it can be found all over Greece. Both men and women dance in an open circle and the style depends upon the music to which it is being performed. It has 12 basic steps and the metre is 7/8. A handkerchief may be held between the lead and the second dancer. The leader may also improvise on the basic steps by adding turns, spins and other variations.
Matina and Nada
Matina and Nada
Syrtos - Ballos
'Ballos' is the typical island dance in Greece. Its melody is generally joyous and lyrical, expressing the people of the Aegean islands. The name 'ballos' comes from the Italian word 'ballo' meaning dance. There is a reason for this. Between the 13th and 16th centuries, the Aegean islands belonged to several western European families or cities, like Venice, after the conquest of the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople by the Crusaders. During this time 'Ballos' came to life.
'Ballos' always follows 'Syrtos' dance, which is of Greek origin. First the dancers move in an open circle holding hands, like in 'Kalamatianos', then they break in couples. When the couple is a man and a woman, 'Ballos' becomes a ritual and is a way of flirting.
The traditional musical instruments that accompany island dances are the violin, the lute and a kind of drum.
Matina and Nada
'Ballos' always follows 'Syrtos' dance, which is of Greek origin. First the dancers move in an open circle holding hands, like in 'Kalamatianos', then they break in couples. When the couple is a man and a woman, 'Ballos' becomes a ritual and is a way of flirting.
The traditional musical instruments that accompany island dances are the violin, the lute and a kind of drum.
Matina and Nada
Hasapiko
This is a traditional Greek dance. The name comes from a word meaning 'butcher', because it was a dance of the members of the butchers' guild during Byzantine times. It is performed in a straight line. The musical instrument that is gives the rhythme is the bouzouki. There are similar dances in other countries: 1) 'Kasapsko Horo' in Bulgaria, 2) 'Kasapsko Kolo' in Serbia, 3) 'Arkan' in Ukrania', 4) 'Hora' in Israel and 5) 'Debke' in Arabia.
'Hasapiko' served as a base for 'Syrtaki', when it was shown in the well-known 1964 film "Zorba the Greek". 'Syrtaki' is a mixture of 'Hasapiko' and 'Syrtos'. You can watch a scene from the film with Anthony Quinn and Alan Bates dancing here
Matina and Nada
'Hasapiko' served as a base for 'Syrtaki', when it was shown in the well-known 1964 film "Zorba the Greek". 'Syrtaki' is a mixture of 'Hasapiko' and 'Syrtos'. You can watch a scene from the film with Anthony Quinn and Alan Bates dancing here
Matina and Nada
Break the Ice
Ismini, Stavroula, Evita, Caterina, Angela and Eleftheria prepared a modern dance routine to welcome our Italian guests. Alexandros made this video. Enjoy it!
The Greek National Holiday
On 25th March, Greek people celebrate their national holiday. It commemorates the beginning of our War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution, against the Ottoman Empire in 1821. It was a long and bloody struggle and it lasted till 1829. Finally, in 1832, Greece or Hellas became an independent state, the first nation among the peoples of the Ottoman Empire.
Due to Greece's classical heritage, there was tremendous sympathy for the Greek cause throughout Europe. Many wealthy Americans and Western European aristocrats took up arms to join the Greek revolutionaries. Many more also financed the revolution. Painters and poets, among them Delacroix and Byron, were inspired by the battles and the Greek bloodshed and depicted the Greeks and the Turks fighting. This movement is called "Philehellenism".
However, there were revolts before 1821. One important figure of the time before the Greek Revolution started was Rigas Feraios, the most influential of the
writers and intellectuals. Deeply influenced by the French Revolution and the Italian Carbonari, he was the first who conceived and organized a national movement aiming at the liberation of all Balkan nations—including the Turks of the region—and the creation of a "Balkan Republic". He published a series of revolutionary articles, but eventually he was arrested by Austrian officials in Trieste in 1797 and was killed. He is depicted in the 1 cent Greek coin.
Our school celebrated our national holiday on 24th March with songs and a theatrical play about Rigas Feraios. Here is a video with parts of the event:
The Greek team
Due to Greece's classical heritage, there was tremendous sympathy for the Greek cause throughout Europe. Many wealthy Americans and Western European aristocrats took up arms to join the Greek revolutionaries. Many more also financed the revolution. Painters and poets, among them Delacroix and Byron, were inspired by the battles and the Greek bloodshed and depicted the Greeks and the Turks fighting. This movement is called "Philehellenism".
However, there were revolts before 1821. One important figure of the time before the Greek Revolution started was Rigas Feraios, the most influential of the
writers and intellectuals. Deeply influenced by the French Revolution and the Italian Carbonari, he was the first who conceived and organized a national movement aiming at the liberation of all Balkan nations—including the Turks of the region—and the creation of a "Balkan Republic". He published a series of revolutionary articles, but eventually he was arrested by Austrian officials in Trieste in 1797 and was killed. He is depicted in the 1 cent Greek coin.Our school celebrated our national holiday on 24th March with songs and a theatrical play about Rigas Feraios. Here is a video with parts of the event:
The Greek team
First impressions
I am having a fantastic time in Italy and we are still in the middle of the week....I feel that this week is one of the greatest in my life because all the parents and kids have been very kind to us and they are really nice and hospitable. All the sights are amazing and there are so many things that we have to see that I cannot wait. Tomorrow is the trip to Rome and I think that it will be very interesting to visit one of the most glorious cities in the world.
Yorgos
Together!
It's fun working together! The most interesting lesson was when we used the interactive whiteboard!!! We did experiments on it, we played music, we did exercises in English through games! Wonderful!
Greek Culture and Traditions
This is our Power Point presentation about our culture made into a video. We tried to present what has influenced us and how it is expressed: our ancient heritage and history, the sea, the landscape, the weather, our religion, our traditions.
The Greek team
The Greek team
A Chemistry lesson
This is a Greek-Italian class! The students from I.T.A.S.S. "Elena di Savoia" and some students from 1st Geniko Lykeio Vrilission are doing experiments in the Chemistry lab! We enjoyed this European lesson very much. It was a new experience.
Video Conference
It was interesting and fun when we had this video conference. The students of I.T.A.S.S. "Elena di Savoia" were eager to know how their classmates had been spending their time in Vrilissia. Everybody wanted to talk! The Greek students talked to the Italian students in L' Aquila, the Head teachers exchanged greetings. We were really close to each other!
Meeting the Greek Olympic Champions
While our Italian friends were in Greece, we grabbed at the chance to show them the Athens Olympic Complex. The stadium was renovated and new sports facilities were built for the 2004 Olympic Games that were held in Athens. The Olympic Complex is situated in Maroussi, a suburb of Athens very near Vrilissia.
An event was organised there by the Ministry of Culture to honour the Greek athletes who took part in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China (places 1 - 8). Many school students were invited to be there to see the Olympic champions, talk to them and get their autographs. We were there, too!!!
We had the chance to talk to Pigi Devetzi, who got the bronze medal in athletics (triple jump) and Nikos Kaklamanakis, who finished 8th in windsurfing and we were photographed with them. We also took autographs from members of the men's basketball team (5th place), water polo ( 7th) and rowing (2nd place).
Here is a video made of photos we took on that day.
Getting to know Athens, Greece and its cultural heritage
We had the chance to visit a lot of interesting places around Athens and Peloponnese. First, we walked around the centre of Athens, we went up Acropolis and admired the monuments and the view from up there, we watched the 'tsoliades' at Syntagma Square and we had 'souvlaki' in Monastiraki. Finally, we went up the steps to Lycabettus hill - that was exhausting!- but we were rewarded with the magnificent view of Athens at night. It was a strange feeling for us the Greeks to be like tourists in our own city, as some of us had never been to the places we visited before...
On another day, we went on a whole day trip to Mycenae, Nafplion and Epidaurus. On the way, we stopped at the Corinth Canal. In Mycenae we visited the archeological site and Atreus Tomb and imagined how people lived in prehistoric times. Then, we travelled to Nafplion, the first capital of modern Greece. The view from the venetian castle was breathtaking! We walked down the 999 steps to the town, but they were 934 - we counted them!
The best part of the trip was the ancient theatre of Epidaurus. Christina recited the hymn to love, which the chorus sang in Sophocles' Antigone. Then Yorgos, Ismini and Yolanda led by Ms Eva Nantsi acted parts of the tragedy! Many other students were part of the chorus. It was improvisation on the spot and it was great!
We had a great time together and we tried to show our Italian friends the way we enjoy ourselves. So we had dinner all together, we heard Greek music and we taught them how to dance syrtaki, tsifteteli and other Greek dances so that they could join us.
The Greek eTwinning team
On another day, we went on a whole day trip to Mycenae, Nafplion and Epidaurus. On the way, we stopped at the Corinth Canal. In Mycenae we visited the archeological site and Atreus Tomb and imagined how people lived in prehistoric times. Then, we travelled to Nafplion, the first capital of modern Greece. The view from the venetian castle was breathtaking! We walked down the 999 steps to the town, but they were 934 - we counted them!
The best part of the trip was the ancient theatre of Epidaurus. Christina recited the hymn to love, which the chorus sang in Sophocles' Antigone. Then Yorgos, Ismini and Yolanda led by Ms Eva Nantsi acted parts of the tragedy! Many other students were part of the chorus. It was improvisation on the spot and it was great!
We had a great time together and we tried to show our Italian friends the way we enjoy ourselves. So we had dinner all together, we heard Greek music and we taught them how to dance syrtaki, tsifteteli and other Greek dances so that they could join us.
The Greek eTwinning team
An unforgettable event
One of the many things that happened during the visit of our Italian friends in Greece and I will never forget is the day in Allou Fun Park. That day we all had a lot of fun despite the fact that I became dizzy and I nearly threw up. We enjoyed many rides, for example top spin, crazy mouse, the pirate boat, worm e.t.c. The funniest moment was when me, Ismini and Mara got wet in La Isla,a place where we rode a small train over water. I hope I will have another chance to have such a lot of fun again.
Yorgos
Yorgos
A fantastic time with the Italians
8 days full of happiness…8 days full of joy… 8 days full of good and exciting moments.
It was an experience which will UNFORGETTABLE!
From the moment you came in Greece I felt that something new and striking would happen, and so it was. When I saw Federico, my partner, for the first time I said that we could have a great time together. As soon as he stepped into my house he was a family member just. ……….everything passed so quickly……..BUT there is only one event that will remain stuck in my mind: that’s our trip to Nafplio, Mycenae. A day full of WALKING around. The most exhausting experience was that in Nafplio where we went down the 999 steps of the Palamidi Palace…OMG!
Ending, I would like to inform you that I’m not coming in Italy…unfortunately… I will not see your faces in the near future…we will not have such a great time we had in Greece….BUT… hopefully there is a possibility for me to come in Summer for a week.
Alexandros
A winter morning in Sounion
The temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounion is one of the most beautiful spots in Attica. The view from up there is breathtaking as the temple is situated on the headland surrounded on three sides by the blue sea. You can easily understand why ancient Greeks chose this place to worship the god of the sea.
We drove our Italian guests along the coast of the Saronic Gulf to admire the panorama from the top. The pleasure of the eyes was followed by the pleasure of a traditional seafood meal at a nearby seaside tavern.
Nada V.
We drove our Italian guests along the coast of the Saronic Gulf to admire the panorama from the top. The pleasure of the eyes was followed by the pleasure of a traditional seafood meal at a nearby seaside tavern.
Nada V.
Welcome to Vrilissia!
On the first day that our eTwinning partners came to school, we prepared a welcome event to demonstrate our culture and our traditions. We showed a PowerPoint presentation about Greece and then we performed folk and modern dances. In the end, Greeks and Italians joined in "syrtaki".
Me and luisa are very happy ‘cause our staying in Greece is very nice .we enjoy ourselves every day with our partners , Nikos and Vagelis(they are twins)! We have visited many places. We enjoyed the fun park with our partners. We visited interesting places in Athens:the Olympic Stadium, the Acropolis ,the Parliament with the guards there, Syntagma Square,Lykabetus on the hill. We went on a trip to Peloponneso,we crossed the Corinth Canal, we visited the Acropolis in Michene,the fortress in Napflio(where we walked down about 1 thousand steps) the epidaurus theatre. We have also known some of their traditions like eating kebab in typical restaurants and also ther school life:they have a short break after every lesson,they can buy what they want in the school bar, they seem to have more freedom than us at school.Life in the family where we are staying is very pleasant.
Luisa and Fabiola
Luisa and Fabiola
My impressions from Vrilissia,Greece
I LOVE THE GREEK FAMILIES
In this week some of our school mates and I came to Greece to do an experience in greek families and greek schools. Today is Thursday so tomorrow it is our last day in Greece and I am very happy for beautiful day I have spent here.
I wish to thank my nice and mild partner that is taking care of me for everythings everyday.
Naturally I must thank the partner’s family that is especially; they are very pleasant persons and I hope that we will continue the friendship with all the greek students.
Thank you everybody for beautiful things that you prepares for us.
ALESSANDRA
In this week some of our school mates and I came to Greece to do an experience in greek families and greek schools. Today is Thursday so tomorrow it is our last day in Greece and I am very happy for beautiful day I have spent here.
I wish to thank my nice and mild partner that is taking care of me for everythings everyday.
Naturally I must thank the partner’s family that is especially; they are very pleasant persons and I hope that we will continue the friendship with all the greek students.
Thank you everybody for beautiful things that you prepares for us.
ALESSANDRA
News about italian school
This week in our school there is the so call “pausa didattica” decided by the students.
Do you know what it is ???
This isn’t an occupation of the school as the students are in the classroom with their teachers but
the teachers can neither explain nor make oral and written tests.
We don’t have the usual lessons but we ask teachers to do special activities, for example :
We play volley and football matches;
We watch films about history of Italy, about psychological topics and documentary of bio-chem and so on.
We read the newspapers
We speak about political topics (the law 133 and 137 concerning the new school reform)
We make orienteering for universities
We write the school journal
Some of us try to improve some subjects with the help of our teachers
We visit interesting places of art in our town with our teachers.
This “pausa didattica” from one side can help some students understanding better some subjects, on the other side, some students can deepen some subjects.
In the end we can tell that it is a different way to have lesson.
And you??? Do you have similar experience in your school….???
Waiting for your comments……………. Bye Bye
Do you know what it is ???
This isn’t an occupation of the school as the students are in the classroom with their teachers but
the teachers can neither explain nor make oral and written tests.
We don’t have the usual lessons but we ask teachers to do special activities, for example :
We play volley and football matches;
We watch films about history of Italy, about psychological topics and documentary of bio-chem and so on.
We read the newspapers
We speak about political topics (the law 133 and 137 concerning the new school reform)
We make orienteering for universities
We write the school journal
Some of us try to improve some subjects with the help of our teachers
We visit interesting places of art in our town with our teachers.
This “pausa didattica” from one side can help some students understanding better some subjects, on the other side, some students can deepen some subjects.
In the end we can tell that it is a different way to have lesson.
And you??? Do you have similar experience in your school….???
Waiting for your comments……………. Bye Bye
A new experience
Last Wednesday she opened the door...
We're speaking about Isabel Cullen! How nice she is! A 16 year old girl who came here in Italy to study Italian, with a cultural exchange program! She comes from Perth in western Australia. We are really happy to host this friendly girl in our class for two months. She's staying with a family that takes part in this international project. But, just think about that: she has flown for 18 hours! What a stressful and long journey! What else can we say? We really like her, she's very pretty and now she is part of our class. We speak in English with her, of course, but she attends all our lessons and naturally she helps us not only for English but also for German, that she can speak well. We would like to make a similar experience in our future.
Lucia, Gabriella, Francesca, Serena.
We're speaking about Isabel Cullen! How nice she is! A 16 year old girl who came here in Italy to study Italian, with a cultural exchange program! She comes from Perth in western Australia. We are really happy to host this friendly girl in our class for two months. She's staying with a family that takes part in this international project. But, just think about that: she has flown for 18 hours! What a stressful and long journey! What else can we say? We really like her, she's very pretty and now she is part of our class. We speak in English with her, of course, but she attends all our lessons and naturally she helps us not only for English but also for German, that she can speak well. We would like to make a similar experience in our future.
Lucia, Gabriella, Francesca, Serena.
A concert with a cause
Some of the eTwinning team members attended a concert at Syntagma square organised by the Local Union of Municipalities of Attiki in order to support the Palestinian people in Gaza. The central message was "Our heart beats in Gaza" and its aim was to collect food and medicine for the victims of the war in Gaza, as well as raising awareness to Greek citizens against war. The Hellenic Paralympic Committee and a lot of local sport clubs participated in the organisation of a Marathon and the concert.
We went to Syntagma square accompanied by the Mayor of Vrilissia. Lots of people attended the event. Many artists took part in the concert, like Dionysis Tsaknis and Melina Aslanidou. The organisers gave out T-shirts and caps with the concert's motto. You can see us in the short movie presentation of snapshots we took on that Sunday evening.
The cinema project
that consisted of several theatre shows and films.
These events were seen
outside of school at a cinema and a theatre of L’Aquila.
The purpose of this
project was to increase students’ awareness to social problems and drug taking.
We have already seen a film about pollution, one about D’Annunzio, one of the major Italian poets. But the film that interested us more than the others is surely
“We, the
a shocking autobiography by Crhistiane F. At the tender age of 13 she loses
herself in the destructive world of heroin.
It’s sat in a grey and depressing
suburb of
There boredom reigns and teenagers fill their
desperate lives with heroin.
This film is so moving, you’ll cry for sure but
you are left with a love for life without dependency on drugs.
After the film we had a very interesting debate and we think that all the teenagers should have a moment to reflect about this serious problem
A NEW EXPERIENCE…….”THE SCHOOL MAGAZINE”
For the first time our school has got a “School Magazine”. The idea started from our class ( IV AL) and then circulated throughout the school.
It’s organised and written by the students and published monthly. Now the cost is covered by the school but we are searching for a sponsor. Not an easy task!!! We’re going to ask for donations from local businesses.
Now we’ll try to explain the title to you. As you know Minerva is the Goddess of knowledge, while “snerva” in Italian indicates exhaustion. This implies that school is tiring, but still worth it because we receive the necessary competences for our future.
Every month we decide upon a general theme and then a selection of students write the articles. The next edition will be themed around “Carnevale”. This is one of the traditional festivals in Italy. It’s an old tradition with lots of celebrations and everybody wears masks!
How would you like to write an article to be published in our magazine?
We have attached the front cover of last month’s edition. We hope you like it!
It’s organised and written by the students and published monthly. Now the cost is covered by the school but we are searching for a sponsor. Not an easy task!!! We’re going to ask for donations from local businesses.
Now we’ll try to explain the title to you. As you know Minerva is the Goddess of knowledge, while “snerva” in Italian indicates exhaustion. This implies that school is tiring, but still worth it because we receive the necessary competences for our future.
Every month we decide upon a general theme and then a selection of students write the articles. The next edition will be themed around “Carnevale”. This is one of the traditional festivals in Italy. It’s an old tradition with lots of celebrations and everybody wears masks!
How would you like to write an article to be published in our magazine?
We have attached the front cover of last month’s edition. We hope you like it!
A WEEK IN ENGLAND
MINISTAY BRIGHTON ( England)
07/14 December 2008
Hi guys! We want to tell you about our fantastic week in Brighton, a very pretty seaside resort in the south of
Now let’s tell you shortly how we spent our week there. Every morning we went to school from 9 o’ clock to 12:30. In the afternoon we visited lots of places as the Royal Pavilion, Brighton Pear,
The last 2 days where the most exiting: “two trips to
The week seemed too short, and now we are at school again, and we have to work hard as we are at the end of the first term!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
