Multilateral Schools Partnership of Comenius Project
“Let’s create a multicultural Europe”
06.04-12.04.2014 Visit in Turkey
Day 1st Sunday 6.04.2014 The partners came to Kozan, in southern Turkey, in province Adana. Before the arrival of groups from Lithuania, Spain, Greece and Finland, we had gone to sightseeing. We had been walking the streets and enjoyed the oriental atmosphere. We heard also muezzin`s singing, which was inviting faithful to prayer. Local people were greeting us with frendly smile.
Turkey`s map
Day 2nd Monday 7.04.2014 On Monday we visited rural primary school Pekmezci, which is located near Kozan, where we lived. The school is our partner in Comenius project. We were greeted by large group of amused children and delegates of the community. We could take part in a few lessons, taught by Turkish teachers. Later, we were treated fresh oranges and many traditional Turkish meals. Some of them tastes entirely different than other European meals and that`s really great. We enjoyed milk soup, salted with coarse grits and fresh leaves of green herbs. However, that day there were lots of delicious delights. Subsequently, we were dancing traditional Turkish dances and we also played little volleyball tournament. We were truly positively surprised by hospitality and openness of Turkish students. Despite of their poor English language skills, they were trying all the time to communicate with us. We used „body language” and hundreds of common photographs. That day was as well project`s opening day. We were warmly greeted by city government. At the beginning, we were talking with local Governer and next with Kozan`s Mer. He told us that he would always help us out with everything. We donated them numerous souvenirs from Łuków according to the rule: „Small gifts makes great frendshpis”. In this year we`re celebrating th 600th anniversary of intercommunication between Poland and Turkey. The time was going very fast. We hoped that our visit would be as sweet as Baklava – well – known Turkish desert with pistachios, often served with ice cream, which we also tasted.
Day 3rd Tuesday 08.04.2014 On Tuesday we could continue our study about Turkish education. Right after breakfast we went to the nearest high school. Hospitality and enthusiasm, which were radiating from our equals (in Turkey, there`s another education system), surprised us positevely. We needed only a few minuts to, despite culture`s differences, „break the barriers� and find a common way. Then, we went to other high school in Kozan. There we presented our achievements and compared them
with other groups`. Each of the partners presented results of LdL`s lessons, that mean taught by students in their schools, about culture, history and tradition of all partner`s countries. After dinner, we left for base of exeptional mountain. Why is it exeptional? Well, except amazing landscapes, we could also see ruins of Kozan`s castle, which was built nearly 4000 years ago in time of the reingn of the Assyrian. We gained peak after almost hour of hard climbing through sharp stones, but it made the view from the top most beautiful. We could see unusual panorama of the city: many Sun shining domes of mosques, citrus gardens and hundreds of low- builded houses. We finished the day by common supper consisting of greasy Turkish bagels. That day was full of experiences. As well – known sentence says: „ Once you start, you can`t stop” as we were looking forward to new adventures on Turkish land.
Day 4th Wednesday 08.04.2014 The next day was equally excited. We were awaked by Imsak ( the first sung prayer of the day). In the morning, still having city`s panorama in front of our eyes, we set off to gain another peak. Yesterday climbing seemed like easy walk for most of us, compared to that one. But the views of ruins of royal palace, which was built 100 years BC, rewarded us that hard effort. This fortification was home for Assyrians or Roman Empire and it is bigger than Efez. So, through that day`s experience, we could go to past. During the lesson in ruins, we saw well-preserved murals of angels or 12 apostles. We could also visit the women, who protected against damage amazing, beautiful mozaic in front of her house. It was probably part of tiles in bath. It is said it shown Poseidon. We heard with pleasure the legend about princess and tragic love. Tired of walking, we came back for dinner. Couldn`t miss tea, which is drunk
here very often, and milky Ayran, which is such as salted kefir. We could enjoy it surrounded by beauteous lake. It should be said that in local media there isn`t any of „European rhytms�. We are surrounded by exotic culture: clothes, music, meals and traditions. After a short break, we were taken to the Turkish mosque Hoskadem Camii, which was built in 1448. There we took part in CLIL lesson. Imam, the leader of local Muslim community told us about our common religion origins, meaning of prayer, meetings with Allah and the core of their religion. We had the opportunity to talm with Muslim priest, who narrated us about their culture and prayers in traditional Arabic and Turkish language. We especially remember his sentence: Don`t judge Alleh, looking at mistakes of some of Muslims and don`t judge Jesus looking at mistakes of some of Christians. After supper, we were talking with other groups from Greece, Turkey, Finland, Spain, Lithuanian and Romania and eating hot nuts, seeds and dried fruits.
The film from visit to Kozan`s mayor in local media: local TV and website:
Link do lokalnej telewizji
Day 5th Thursday 10.04.2014 If you want to find new places, you should start from studying their history. We set off to Karatepe Aslantas` museum, which is located in Kaldiri. We han an occasion to „travel” to ancient ages of Azatiwatas` King rule. He told to build a stone castle, full of sculptures and reliefs. We were impressed of highly developed architectural artistry and talent, which was shown by ancient Turkish people. Later we tasted fresh fish from local breeding. The scenery was quite lovely – at the base of huge mountain, surrounded by vast citrus gardens. We felt upset because the end of our stay comes very quickly. We were trying to catch every sunbeam.
Day 6th Friday 11.04.2014 We started on Friday with saying "güle güle" (goodbye) to our partner school in Pekmezci. We also took part in Math`s lesson as students solving exercises on blackboard. Mrs. Aneta Paszkiewicz was our teacher. Later, we learnt figures in Turkish and then we were polled. After moving goodbye we went to Adana – the fourth biggest city in Turkey. We could see the traditional baking of bread, which can be fresh for over 3 months. We ate lunch in beautiful park, near quite new mosque. We were able to get in. Although it is the new temple, it has 6 minarets – as many as „blue mosque” in Stambul. We didn`t expect any ornamentations, so we were surprised by amazing paitings and frescos, which make the interior delightful. Next, we were given sweets and lemonade with honey. That was all for funder of that temple in anniversary of his death. Walking along Adan, we went on probably the oldest of Romanesque bridges in Turkey, which was built in 384. Then we walked near the oldest bulding in the town – Agca Mosque, which was built in 15st century. Continuing trip, we came in the third temple – Ulucami (1541). Of course we couldn`t get through afternoon without çay – traditional tea in special glasses. We could also spend a few relaxing minutes near the Seyhan River. In late afternoon we bought some souvenirs for family and our friends. After return to Kozan, there was really sad moment – official finish of our visit in Turkey. We were given gifts. We didn`t also miss hugs and exchange of contacts. Although we came back to Poland, we were really saddened that our journey was finishing.
Day 7th Saturday 12.04.2014 When we woke up in Sturday`s morning, we realised that rest of groups have already left Kozan. In connection with that we were alone, we were given special invitiation for breakfast from school
Pekmezci`s principal. In his houle we felt really good, we could see how traditional meal of Turkish family looks like. That was interesting experience because we were used to eat all meals in our hotel. After that we had some time for shopping. Later we went to Turgul`s house – man, who helped us a lot during our visit – to eat farewell supper. We were eating in such unusual way – on the floor. We were proposed that to feel more „Turkish climate”. The environment was further different than any of
previous ones. Our host showed us his orange garden and we were given a loads of oranges. Each of us was given gifts like olive oil or sweets, too. We couldn`t hide our emotions during the farewell. Of course, we realized that we can never meet our friends again, so we tried to remember best all of them. Turkey will always stay close to our hearts. It stops to be only country on a map. It fills with faces of people, who we met, got to know, and liked. We will be always missing when we heard a word „Turkey”.
by Katarzyna Nowicka