Visit to Latvia

PROJECT REUNION

LATVIA The third project reunion took place between 9-15 October 2011 in Cesis, Latvia. Romania was represented by 3 teachers: Popescu Aurelia( coordintor of the project), Tudorache Daniela, Zaharia Bianca and 4 pupils : Enache Elena, Negoita Lucia, Soare Madalina, from 7 grade and Bacan Stefania from 8 grade.

In the first day we visited the school wich is located in the Sermuski village, place which seemed to be taken out from a farytale , in the middle of the forest, near to a lake. A group of pupils encounterd us drest in the latvian national costums and served us traditional food.

After that we went to the festivity room wher we meet the 5 teams from the other countryes , and we sang the project anthem and we watched the artictic program presented by the pupils of the host school.

After the festivityes we visited the school and others buildings which belong to the school.

Both the students and the teachers worked together as a team to make a tree out of eco-friendly materials , an activity which was entertaining everybody.

After we made the „eco” three each team prezented it. Our three was presented by Stefania Bacan.

We also held discusions regarding the activities that took place , insisting on the main project for September ″Endangered animals″(each paticipating country presented information on 3 endangered animals from their country and 3 endangered animals from all over the world), and we established the details for the next activities.

The first day ended with a dinner and project coordinators have offered small gifts.

The second day we visited Gauja National Park Sigulda Turaida and Krimulda. This is the largest park in Latvia, with an area of 917.45 km² running from north-east of Sigulda to south-west of Cēsis along the valley of the Gauja RiverIt was established on 14 September 1973 , the oldest

national park in Latvia, 47% of the park's territory is forest, mostly spruce and pine.

The south-west it is mainly used by the inhabitants of Riga as a leisure facility, while further to the north-east it is more strictly protected.

The area was formerly sometimes known as the "Livonian Switzerland" and tourists started to visit this area in the 19th century having numerous ski slopes and even a medieval castle.

We visited the castle and the church from Turaida and made a journey back in time with the help of the medieval legends.

In the afternoon we visited the underground lake were impressed by its splendor.

The third day was fascinating, it was the "The medieval day". First we visited the Araiski underwater castle.

After that we visited Geidanmois where we discovered the medieval history of Latvia throughout some historical activities that we practiced: spear and ax throwing, archery.

After we finished all thouse historical activities we went to the City Hall, where we meet the local authorities.

We visited Cesis being impressed by the grand area of the buildings, the multitudes of churches and the beauty of the parks.

The visit to the old jeweler, near the castle gave us the possibility of meeting a special man, in love with his work and to see the julery that the medieval women wore.

At the end we enjoyed a medieval feast and the late night tour of the castle.

On the fourth day we went to explore Riga, the capital of Latvia, where we found a perfect harmony between medieval and modern.

In the afternoon we visited the Central Bank of Latvia and we were very impressed.

The evening was exciting because we have separated from friends in Turkey.

In the fifth day we stayed at school where our Latvian friends organized for us different games like: sorting wastes in 4 groups-glass, plastics, paper and metal; identifying, in the park which was situated in the front of the school, 8 different kind of leaves; write about 5 healthy and 5 unhealthy types of

food etc. After this we assisted two

English classes and a math class, which were very interactive and enjoyable.

They also planed some sport activities which were expected by all the pupils.

The ending ceremony each country presented its impressions certificates.

and

was

awarded

with

participation

And so the day of our departure arrived…but before going to the airport we made o short voyage with a boat on the Riga canal.

The activities that the Latvian partners prepared for us were very divers, interesting, and all the participants appreciated it.

Congratulations to the Latvian team!