Our myths, our legends, our stories..our cultural heritage

“Our myths, our legends, our stories...

Our Cultural Heritage”

Creative Classroom Group, June 2018

Introduction Our Cultural Heritage is a lot of things...and the more we know, the richer we become. Part of our intangible heritage is our stories, myths, legends..stories that passed from one generation to the other, stories that we grow up with!

In this activity members of the Creative Classroom Group worked together with their students to narrate their stories...to pass the legends and myths of their country to the other countries, share their cultural heritage and identify common things with the other countries. Then, they chose a myth or legend from another country and either changed the ending, dramatized the story, re-wrote the story using comic strips or created still-images to narrate the story.

Special thanks to Angeliki Kougiourouki who worked very hard to put together all this creative content in this e-book.

Enjoy reading and learning the cultural heritage around you!

Irene Pateraki Creative Classroom Group Administrator

Myths, legends and stories from Albania 1. The legend of Preza Castle 2. The blue eye legend

Name of school: "Shaban Sheshori" Country: Albania Teacher’s name: Adriana Laze email: adrianalaze@yahoo.com Name of students who took part: Roena, Ester, Redi, Alen, Flori, Sindi, Isaura, Enada, Redi Age of students: 12-13

The legend of Preza Castle Regarding to the term Preze there are several legends. One of which is related to Mamice's wedding, the little sister of our national hero Skanderbeg.

The legend says

Mamice's weddings were on the castle of Preza.

But in that day, the Albanian princess who belonged to the feudal lands quarreling with each other and the conflict degenerated into mass killing by the opposite sides: according to the legend they were slain and deceived many princess as the blood flowed from the fortress to the hill down to the field that today is known as ‘’Fushe Preze’’ area So a great 'people' took place - From the word meaning ''killing'' it is thought that the name Prese- Preze today.

For this reason, every year in our castle come Arberesh from Italy and remember the traditions of their first Albanian generations. Also, they improvise the wedding of Scanderbeg’s is a big pleasure meeting them.

sister. It

Name of school: “Turgut Özal”, Tirana Country: Albania Teacher’s name: Sonila Shehu email: sonilashehu@live.com Name of students who took part: Ermela Shkurti, Arjeta Dervishi Age of students: 17

The blue Eye legend of the giant snake that created the miracle of nature From the bottom of the tunnel, through which the water rises to the surface, the source gets the blue color resembling the baby's eye. As the flow begins, the color begins to shine straight to the blue.

The vegetation surrounding the eye in its upper part resembles more eyelashes, so it is rightly called the "Blue Eye." It is the largest and most interesting source among the 18 sources that explode at the foot of the Broad Mountain. Today it enjoys the status of a monument of nature. Its depth is too great, it reaches up to 45 meters. It is located opposite the village of Krongj, 45 meters below the level of the Drinos valley. The Blue Eye is a source of fresh and sweet waters surrounded by dense vegetation and evergreen vegetation.

The fish that grows and is cultivated here is pestrow, a delicious fish ...

Early legend "Once and for a time, such a strong wind smells, shaking the sea from the bottom and the sea casting a snake ... He dropped a cloud and snapped him on the mountain of Sopot ... The giant serpent eats animals and humans the crops broke ... An old man got up, loaded a donkey with a sackcloth, and came near the mole and put the ash on fire. When the snake ate the donkey, the ash fire burns in. The beast shouted, 'Where are you sea, that you

made me head and you river, my brother ...!'. He was put to death. The sea from Vivari and the river from Sopot was landed, but it could not be washed. In the agony of death, the serpent slammed the tail on the side of the mountain, where the signs that remained were left. Since then the sea with the mountain is connected to each other as father and son. " Repeat the legend In October 2002, the "mother's nature" beauty was in the agony of death.

Everyone was sorry, but that's all. Coincidentally, when Leche's leaders came to Albania to talk about the Blue Eye, he dashed and turned into a blind, white-eyed eye. Many people in Saranda believed that it was God's finger.

"It was a punishment for those who wanted to sell it," they whispered.

"Four days was fought by the Blue Eye with the river pouring stones and gravel from above," the elderly said.

Who baptized ...?

The name "Blue Eye" was born much later, in the 1950s, when the studies of these resources were made to use at the Bistrica hydropower plant. The name is said to be named by one of the young engineers recalled by the blue eyes of his fiancĂŠ.

They say that all engineers wandering in these sources called it so, because they cannot call it a blue-blue source, with a green circle and a black spot in the middle. Ms. Lula, one of the engineering engineers of the Bistric hydropower plant, says that the pilgrimage that brides today make at the wedding ceremony, before going into the new bridegroom, has to do with the deification and mystification of this gift of the nature that symbolizes moral cleanness, feminine beauty and the beauty of the bride-nimble emerge from the crystal waters, according to the legend of the Great Pan. Blue Eye, a tourist destination Regular visitors, tourists dress up white dresses brides The Blue Eye, although administratively owned by the Delvina sub-prefecture, links tourism with visitors to Saranda. Welcome visitor tourists to go to natural "marvel".

According to official data, for 2007, the number of foreign visitors to this tourist destination exceeded 30,000, coming from England, Denmark, Holland, France, Italy, the Nordic countries, the Mediterranean coasts, Americans, Asians, Australians in Brazil.

This flood has come also because of the big riders who go down to Saranda with hundreds of tourists in a day. All the foreign tourists who land on these giant tourist boats, a lunch definitely seek to pass on the fabulous Blue Eye locations.

If you count Albanians you can only get approximate information, as they are some categories, compatriots from Albanian lands, mainly from Macedonia and Kosovo, but there are also from the US. Albanians within the borders belonging to the cities of Saranda and Delvina, going to Tropoja, KukÍs, Korça, Tirana, Durres and all Albania, but there are also pupils and teachers coming from Prishtina, Suhareka, Gjakova, Tirana and all the schools of the country.

Doubles of Gjirokastra, Delvina and Saranda districts who continue to apply the pagan tradition of baptism "of the purity of the couple".

Myths, legends and stories from Azerbaijan 1.Legend about the rose 2.Why the pigeon is believed to be a symbol of peace‌ 3.Legen of Maiden Tower

Remake a. Drawing

Name of school: Tafakkur lyceum Country: Azerbaijan Teacher’s name: Aliya Agayeva email: aliya-73@list.ru Name of students who took part: Aysel, Nigar, Narmin, Nazenin, Sabina Age of students: 13-15

Legend about the Rose Once there lived a very rich man who had no children. This made him very sad.

A very old, wise man advised him to go to Arzu (Wish) Mountain and ask for a child.

So, the man took his wife and went there and pleaded with the mountain to give him a child. After a while, his wife gave birth to a very beautiful girl. They called her

Gizil

(Gold).

Gizil grew up and with each passing day, she became more and more beautiful.

In the neighboring village, there lived a poor man who had an only son whose name was Bulbul (Nightingale). Bulbul had a charming voice.

Bulbul and Gizil fell in love with each other. Bulbul's voice grew to be even more charming. He asked his father to go and ask for Gizil's hand. But Gizil's father was concerned about what Bulbul did for a living. Bulbul's father replied: "He's a lover.

He strengthens the heart with his magnificent songs."

Gizil's father laughed at these words: "Songs are not bread. I won't let my daughter get married to a poor man. If your son wants to marry my daughter, he has to be rich and have a means of earning an income."

Bulbul became sad with this news, but he agreed with the terms set forth by Gizil's father. He said "Goodbye" to Gizil and headed off to a faraway land. Gizil promised to wait for him and not marry anyone else.

Much time passed but no news came about Bulbul. Gizil's father arranged the engagement of Gizil to a wealthy young man. Preparation was being made for her wedding. They even put henna on Gizil's white hands.

In desperation, Gizil made her way to Wish Mountain and with hennaed hands begged the mountain. "Dear Wish Mountain, I was born because you granted my parents' plea. Now I am in mourning, so you must mourn, too." Wish Mountain understood the girl and caused a fire to consume her village.

All her relatives died in the fire. That made Gizil very sad because she lost both her mother and father. She went again to Wish Mountain and asked it to turn her into a flower that would be a symbol of love. And so, the mountain transformed her into a rose that blossomed in the garden of Bulbul's father. Since that time, Gizil had blossomed as white flowers with love to Bulbul.

One day Bulbul returned. He started to look for Gizil but couldn't find her. He became suspicious about the white roses because their fragrance smelled just as Gizil used to smell. That's how Bulbul's relatives came to tell him the story of what had happened to Gizil.

This made Bulbul depressed. He circled several times around the white flowers and then he thrust his sword into his heart. The blood ran down the fresh white blossom petals of the rose dyeing them red. But Bulbul's relatives did not allow Bulbul to kill himself.

Then Bulbul decided to pay a visit to Wish Mountain. He told the mountain: "I have no will to live longer. Turn me into a bird so that I can fly around my lover's head and sing songs forever to her."

And that's how Bulbul's wish came true. He was transformed into a bird with such a sweet gentle voice. Since that time, roses have blossomed with red flowers.

Name of school: Tafakkur lyceum Country: Azerbaijan Teacher’s name: Aliya Agayeva email: aliya-73@list.ru Name of students who took part: Aysel, Nigar, Narmin, Nazenin, Sabina Age of students: 13-15

Why the pigeon is believed to be a symbol of peace ... (from the words of elders of Ohut settlement in Sheki region) Long time ago the dispute between powerful Khans of Ganja and Sheki run high and outgrew to warfare. Each side was accusing opponent of all thinkable and unthinkable sins and in the end the war erupted when Khan of Ganja declared state of war to Khan of Sheki. They agreed on time and place of decisive battle.

Khan of Sheki had not waged war for 15 years and all his ammunition was kept in one of the remote rooms in his palace. A day before the battle he asked his mother to prepare ammunition for the battle and bless him for this battle which might be the last one for him. Mother's blessing was believed to be sacred and Khan needed it. When his mother brought him ammunition, he could not find a helmet. Khan was surprised and asked: - Mom, where is my helmet which is pride for the man and for our family?

- I could not bring it - said old woman without disclosing her reasons.

- I understand your mother feelings, you do not want war and destructions, but I can't step back. This will be disgrace for all my people. If needed I am ready to give my life for my land, but I will not retreat. This is my last word! Please, bless me - said Khan with determination in his voice.

- I am not doubting your bravery and determination, my son was raised to protect the homeland from enemies. But your helmet seems to be bewitched. I could not lift it.

- Then I will go and take it by myself.

- Please do not do it, do not touch the helmet, said his mother and stopped the way.

I ask you in the name of the mother's milk that brought you up as well as a Khan of Sheki, the ancient and glorious land.

- But mother, how could I show up in a battle field in front of my people and my warriors with uncovered head?

And then the mother told him the real reason behind her action.

- Great Khan, my beloved son, there is a couple of white pigeons that made a nest in your battle helmet. They are the most peaceful birds and breed 3 nestlings.

Pigeons know where to nest and want to raise their nestlings in safety. If these innocent creatures will be touched then the parents will fly away, nestlings will die and grief and illness came to our land, misfortune will stay in this country forever.

Are you ready to accept this?

Khan was silent, he did not know what to say. The logic of the mother was stronger than force and power.

In the morning Khan of Ganja noticed that Khan of Sheki riding his battle horse had his head unprotected. This surprised him and he asked the reason behind this.

The Khan of Sheki said: - A pair of white pigeons made a nest in my helmet, they have three nestlings and my mom pleaded me not to destroy the nest. My people might suffer from this.

But this should not disturb you - Khan of Ganja, I am ready for the battle.

Khan of Ganja was bewildered and surprised by peacefulness of his opponent. He sent his couriers to check and confirm this fact. Khan of Ganja was thinking.

Breathless silence was around, the decision of Khan of Ganja could shed a blood of brothers. Wise Khan appreciated the deed of Sheki Khan and offered him his hand.

- Great Khan, I would like to make a peace! If your mother did not want to destroy pigeon's nest how can we destroy lands and homes, shed a blood of innocent people. Your uncovered head is not a sign of your disgrace or acceptance of defeat, it is the other way just proves your honor and clear thoughts. Thank you.

Peace was made and since then white pigeon is a messenger of peace and symbol of well-being.

Name of the school: Heydar Aliyev Lyceum Country: Azerbaijan Teacher: Badalova Natavan email: natavanbadalova@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Abdin, Azerin Age of students: 15 years

Legend of Maiden Tower From ancient times various legends and myths were created about Maiden Tower. One of these legends deals with the beautiful love of a daughter of king and a fisher. Every day the fisher came to Maiden Tower to see his beloved. He walked on the surface of the sea. His belief in this love gave him this power. Once after the date, on the way back the fisher thought about his beloved and some doubt appeared in his heart. Thus, he began to drown. When the daughter of the king saw her beloved drowning, she jumped from the Tower into the sea to rescue him. But, as the feeling of fear in her heart exceeded belief in love, she also drowned in the sea. Maiden Tower became the symbol of love and purity.

Name of school: El Manar PREPARATORY SCHOOL, Kairouan Country: Tunisia Teacher’s name: Manel Boualia email: manelbouala@gmail.com Name of student who took part: Yassine Ghannem we choose to create still images to narrate the story "The Maiden Tower"

Myth, legends and stories from Bosnia and Herzegovina 1. The story of three towns

Name of school: JU OŠ Prekounje Bihać Country: Bosnia and Herzegovina Teacher;s name: Esada Čirić-Delić emil: esada.ciric@hotmail.com Name of students who took part: Benjamin D, Amina, Mirza, Sara, Mirela, Imad, Anes H, Anes Ć, Dajla, Sumejja, Adelita, Ena, Erna, Benjamin B, Anel, Tarik, Adina, Damir, Emir, Faris Age: 11-12

The story of three towns A long time ago, when the hills were silent and the time was kind there was a good man name Dobriša (Goodman) who had three daughters. Their names were Bika, Soka and Vrana. Dobriša was a good and wealthy man and highly respected as he cared for nature and he cared for the people.

With the time passing, Dobriša was getting old and his daughters were growing up until one day when Dobriša passed away. In memory of their father, the three daughters decided to spend their time doing good on their land. After his death his daughters carried on his name and his lifestyle in honesty, gentleness and kindness. But not all men were kind for they wanted Dobriša's land and Dobriša's daughters to rule and destroy.

The daughters had a large plot of land on the banks of Una river, while they lived in Dubrovnik a small town on the right bank of Una river. In order to protect their land and their people three sisters decided to separate and build three towns in three different places.

Bika chose the place on the left bank of Una river. She build a lovely place which was named after her Bihać.

Soka not bearing to be far away from her sister built the fortress on the east side and the small town on the hill that she named Sokolac. Sokolac protected Bihać and advised it on the upcoming guests.

The youngest one Vrana had to go further so she chose the place further away from the river and build the little town Vrnograč on the crossroads to Bihać. It served as a shield from the west to Bihać and to her sister.

After building three towns the men realized that they could not conquer the lands and left three sisters to live in peace. With time all three sisters fulfilled the wishes of their father and served well the people and the nature.

Myths, legends and stories from Bulgaria 1. A legend about Plovdiv 1a. Video

Name of school: Lycée de langue française "Antoine de Saint-Exupéry", Plovdiv 4003 Country: Bulgaria Teacher's name: Rositsa Shopska email: rshopska@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Alexandra, Bozhidara, Ivan Age of students: 14

A LEGEND ABOUT PLOVDIV Philip of Macedon’s soldiers counterattacked Tiva unsuccessfully. He ordered – the first who climbed up the fortress, would win the management of the city.

There were many soldiers but one of them succeed in climbing the ladder and Philip of Macedon kept his promise – the Thracian person became the manager of the city. Ten years after that he got a letter from his brother. His mother was on a deathbed and she wanted to see him again. But the Thracian didn’t go to see her because he was afraid about his power. His mother cursed him to turn into stone when he stepped in his native city.

The Thracian died. His last wish was to be buried in his native city. His servants put his coffin on some camels and went away. After a long time, he reached Plovdiv.

Unfortunately, the coffin fell down and the dead body of the Thracian, his servant and the camels turned into stones. So, the seven hills of Plovdiv were formed.

Name of school: Lycée de langue française "Antoine de Saint-Exupéry", Plovdiv Country: Bulgaria Teacher's name: Rositsa Shopska email: rshopska@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Alexandra, Bozhidara, Ivan Age of students: 14 Create drawings to tell the story in a video (click on the photo)

Myths, legends and stories from Greece 1. Myth of Arachne 2. Scylla and Charybdis: Monsters of Greek Mythology 3. Thessaloniki the mermaid 4. The story of Agios Georgios 5. The Myth of Alkyon 6. Polyphemus the cyclops 7. The Halckyon days in Greece’s myth 8. Why di the planets call like that?

9. The stoneship 10.A Legend about River Evros 10a. Images to narrate the story 11.The myth of Sphinx 12.Mr Mouse and his Daughter 12a. Drawing 12b. Retold the story with a video 1 12c. Retold the story with a video 2 13.Persephone myth 13a. Myth about Persephone (recreation) 14.The myth of Icarus and Daedalus 15.Hercules and Nemea Lion

16.The birth of Athena 16a.Athina’s bith with comics 17. Lernean Hydra 18. The abduction of Europe 18a. “Europe-Zeus and the Internet” (video) 19. The Titans

Name of school: 6th Kindergarten school, Volos Country: Greece Teachers: Tsigara Sofia/ Maraidoni Katerina email: sotsigara@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Eleni, Konstantia, Artemis, Giannis, Antonis, Thanasis, Nikos, Zaharias, Maria, Alexandros, Ioanna, Dimitra, Georgia, Dionysis, Ioannis Age of students: 5-6 years old

MYTH OF ARACHNE Arachne in Greek mythology, was a Lydian woman, who was highly gifted in the art of weaving. Born to Idmon, a famous dyer in Lydia, Arachne was no ordinary weaver. Her weaving was sheer magic and a sight to behold. Soon news of Arachne's artistry spread far and wide and it is said that nymphs from the forests left their frolicking and gathered around Arachne to watch her weave. So, moved were they by her skills, that they remarked that she surely must have been trained by none other than Goddess Athena, the goddess of weaving. This adulation was more than Arachne could handle and being an ordinary girl who was quite vulnerable to human failings, she became quite arrogant about her superior skills. She was annoyed at being regarded as a pupil of Athena and began bragging about her skills, proclaiming herself to be far more superior to even Athena. When the goddess of weaving heard of Arachne's bold claims, she was upset, and decided to give the young woman a chance to regret her folly. Disguised as an old woman, Athena appeared to Arachne and warned her of the consequences of provoking the wrath of the gods. But Arachne was not a bit remorseful and challenged Athena to a contest. If she lost, she would accept any punishment that Athena would decide for her. That time Athena revealed her true form and accepted the challenge. The stage was set for a battle in which a god and a mortal pitted their artistic skills to decide who the better artist was. And so, the contest began, Athena at her loom and Arachne at hers, each working with threads of gold and a splendid array of colors. Athena created a tapestry replete with scenes from the history of the gods. At the corner of her tapestry, she artfully depicted humans who had dared to defy the gods and who had been punished without a trace of mercy. As for Arachne, she deliberately chose scenes that depicted the infidelities and amours of the gods. Although Arachne had shown little respect for the gods, Athena had to admit that her work was brilliant and flawless. That, however, was not enough to

calm down Athena who was incensed by Arachne's humiliating portrayal of the gods.

Athena destroyed in anger Arachne's tapestry and loom. Still in anger,

Athens transformed Arachne into a disgusting insect. She turned her into a spider ("arachni" in Greek), proclaiming that Arachne and all her descendants would henceforth hang forever from threads and be skillful weavers.

Name of School: 8th Primary School of Ptolemaida Country: Greece Teacher’s name: Hatzistefanou Eleni email: elhatzist@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Basilis Age of student:11

Scylla and Charybdis: Monsters of Greek mythology They are two sea beasts who live in two opposite caves in Sicily’s straits or Gibraltar’s straits.

Scylla, is a monster with six heads, she eats big fish or humans, who pass with their ships near her cave. So, she manages to eat Odysseus company.

Charybdis is like a mermaid, actually of the middle and up is a woman and of the middle and down is a fish.

She lives opposite of Scylla and she swallow water of the sea with everything that exist in that.

Name of school: 8th Primary School of Ptolemaida Country: Greece Teacher’s name: Hatzistefanou Eleni Name of students who took part: Tasos Age of student: 11

Thessaloniki the mermaid In Greece, there is a myth of Thessaloniki the mermaid. Thessaloniki was Alexander the Great’s sister and she was very huge. She was asking the sailors if Alexander was dead. If they said no, she let them go. If they said yes, she destroyed their ship and ate the people. Because of this, people named a town Thessaloniki.

Name of school: 9th kindergarten of Perama Country: Greece Teacher’s name: Sofia Manopoulou email: manoposo@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Maria, Aggelianna, Aliki, Nikos, Theodor, Nikoleta, Rania, Konstantinos, Nikolas, Konstantina, Elisabet, Amelia, Matiana, Nikos, Konstantinos, Olga, Katerina, Irini, Ermal, Panagiotis, Antonia, Katerina.

Age of students: 4-5

“The story of Agios Georgios” On April 23, in Greece, we celebrate the memory of Agios Georgios (Saint George). There are many churches of Agios Georgios in the whole country. Agios Georgios is the protector of soldiers and the Greek army. Also, farmers and breeders believe in him very much. Agios Georgios’ icon represents him riding his white horse and killing a dragon with his spear. Behind him is standing a girl.

This is the story of Agios Georgios: According to the tradition, many many years ago, a dragon guarded the water of a source. The beast didn’t allow the inhabitants to drink water if they did not sacrifice him a man to devour. The inhabitants of the area have been the dragon victims for many years.

Whenever they wanted to go to the water source, they were choosing somebody by chance. Once it was the princess turn. The frightened princess cried and desperately asked for help. A young soldier on a horse, heard her scream and with God’s help, he managed to kill the dragon with his spear and saved the princess. The princess thanked the soldier and she offered to accomplish any of his wishes. Agios Georgios’ only wish was to build a church under his name. And this is what happened in the end.

Name of school: 8th Primary School of Ptolemaida Country: Greece Teacher’s name: Hatzistefanou Eleni email: elhatzist@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Stella Age of student: 11

The myth of Alkyon According to Greek Mythology, Alkyon was the daughter of Aiolos, the God of winds. She was living in the end of the beach with her husband Kyika and they felt so much happy and in love, that they were comparing themselves with Zeus and Hera. For this impiety, Zeus was so angry that he transformed Kyika in vulture.

Alkyon without knowing what had happened she was running crazy everywhere to find her beloved husband. The Gods of Olympus felt sorry for her, and the transformed her in seabird, Alkyon, which looks like looking for her husband in the seas. The misery of Alkyon didn’t stop here. Despite the birds which lay eggs in spring, in good weather, Alkyon was laying her eggs in bad winter, and so the wildly waves of the sea were drifting them, or the newborn cheeks, making her cry heartbreaking. For another time the Gods of Olympus felt sorry for her and Zeus commanded that for 15 days in January, the winds to stop and the sun to warm nature, so that Alkyona can hutch her eggs and the little birds to be able to fly!!!

Name of school: 8o Primary School of Ptolemaida Country: Greece Teacher’s name: Hatzistefanou Eleni email: elhatzist@gmail.com Name of student who took part: Giannis Age of student: 11

POLYPHEMUS THE CYCLOPS The Cyclopes are one-eyed huge, savage creatures, tall like trees.

They live on an island where they do nothing but fight with each other for the wild goats, trying to find enough food to fill their huge bellies. Storms often bring shipwrecked sailors to their island.

The largest and fiercest of the Cyclopes is named Polyphemus! He always keeps vigil on his mountain, fair weather or foul. If he spots a sheep, he dives into the sea and swims underwater, coming up underneath the ship and overturning it, then he swims off with his pockets full of sailors.

One day Odysseus manage to escape from his cave, because Polyphemus caught him. Odysseus hit him with a big sharp wood when he was sleeping, and Polyphemus became blind!

Odysseus escape from Polyphemus cave because he is smarter and more cunning than Polyphemus.

Name of school: 5th Primary School Agios Dimitrios, Athens, Greece Country: Greece Teacher’s name: Trapali Chryssi email: trapalichryssi@hotmail.com Name of students who took part: Maria, Penny, Phedra, John x 3, Anthi, Andrew, Pantelis, Spyros x 3, Marina, Fanis, Natalie, Kyriaki, Malena, Kostanstinos Age of students: 10

THE HALCKYON DAYS IN GREECE’s MYTH Alcyone and Ceyx were a very happy couple and very much in love. They often called each other "Zeus" and "Hera", the gods of Olympus. This angered Zeus, so while Ceyx was at sea, the god threw a thunderbolt at his ship and he died. After Alcyone saw the death of her beloved one, she threw herself into the sea in her grief.

Out of compassion, the gods changed them both into Halcyon birds, named after her. As birds, they were nesting on the beach and waves threatened to destroy the nests. Aeolus, the god of winds, felt pity of them and restrained his winds in order to keep them calm during fourteen days in each year, so she could lay her eggs. These became known as the "halcyon days," some days during January, when storms do not occur and the weather is sunny!

Name of school: 8th Primary School of Ptolemaida Country: Greece Teacher’s name: Hatzistefanou Eleni email: elhatzist@gmail.com Name of student who took part: Xristina Age of student: 11

Why did the planets call like that?

In Ancient Greece, people believed that there were 12 gods, with amazing powers.

They were behind everything. They didn’t believe to God. They gave them presents.

Almost all the planets have names from Ancient Greece.

Like: Venus and Jupiter…

First: -Mercury is a planet which is very close to Sun. Now, Mercury was the quickest of all the others! That’s way he was a messenger Mercury (the planet) turns quicker- than all the other planets- around the Sun and itself.

-Venus was the Goddess of love and beauty. She was the most beautiful of all.

That’s why they gave her name to this planet. Venus, the planet it is the most beautiful planet of all! It’s so interesting there with so many amazing phenomena there but really- really dangerous.

-It is a bit difficult to explain how did Mars take its name. Actually, Mars was the God of fight. But Mars it is a bit unpredictable planet. There are so many asteroids around him. And maybe, the will fight!

-Jupiter was the master. He was the planet of welcome. They gave his name to the planet, because the planet is the biggest after Sun!

Name of school: 12th Primary School of Karditsa Country: Greece Teacher’s name: Antimisari Ioanna email: joannaantimisari@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Dimitra, Eva, Nancy, Dimitra, Panagiota, Georgia, Rafaela, Georgia, Giannis, Phillipos, Giannis, Lambros, Dimitris, Marios, George Age of students:11

''The Stoneship'' Close to Corfu there is a small island that looks like a boat. People say that in the old days strange boat appeared. All the people went down to the harbor to see it. They were very curious and frightened.

They were looking at each other and wondered: ''But who are they, are they friends or enemies?'' The boat continued to sail into the sea until it reached the narrow pass between the rocks. Then, they saw its flag. It was made of black cloth and a beast had been painted on it. Everybody turned their homes into horror. Lamps and candles were blown away. Only Smaro, a little curly haired girl, stayed at the beach without fear. "My God, she said, if they are enemies, let their ship become stone. Then sudden the ship stoned and became a small island that exists until today.

Name of school: 1st Experimental Primary School, Alexandroupoli Country: Greece Teacher’s name: Angeliki Kougiourouki email: akougiou@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Anastasia, Maria, Stavrilia Age of students: 11

A legend about River Evros The river Evros, which is near the city we live and it connects three countries, Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria, was named in ancient times Rompus. This was the river’s name until Evros, the son of King Kassandros and Krotoniki, drowned in order to escape the slander of Damascipus' mother. This interpretation is given by the historian Plutarch in his work “About rivers and mountains”.

It is said that King Kassandros, having married with Krotoniki, gave birth to Evros. Kassandros, however, renounced his cohabitation with Krotoniki and brought a stepmother to Evros, Damasipus, who fell in love with him. Evros, however, did not care about her and dedicated himself to hunting. Damasipus, angry at the reaction of the young man, began to spread false accusations for him. When Kassandros learned about them, he began to chase him until the young Evros, trying to avoid him fell and drowned in the waters of Romvous, which had since been renamed Evros.

The story of Orpheus is connected with the river Evros, since according to a legend the Maenads spilled it and threw its head in the river.

Name of school: Beylikdüzü American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Maria Yiğit email: mariayigit82@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Servan, Özge, Ezel Naz, Zafer, Nagarjuna.

A legend about River Evros (Create images to narrate the story) The river Evros, which is near the city we live and it connects three countries, Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria, was named in ancient times Rompus. This was the river’s name until Evros, the son of King Kassandros and Krotoniki, drowned in order to escape the slander of Damascipus' mother. This interpretation is given by the historian Plutarch in his work “About rivers and mountains”.

It is said that King Kassandros, married gave

with

birth

Kassandros, renounced his cohabitation with Krotoniki and brought a stepmother to Evros, Damasipus, who fell in love with him. Evros, however, did not care about her and dedicated himself to hunting. Damasipus, angry at the reaction of the young man, began to spread false accusations for him. When Kassandros learned about them, he began to chase him until the young Evros, trying to avoid him fell and drowned in the waters of Romvous, which had since been renamed Evros.

having Krotoniki, to

Evros. however,

The story of Orpheus is connected with the river Evros, since according to a legend the Maenads spilled it and threw its head in the river.

Name of school: Neos Skopos Senior High School Country: Greece Teacher’s name: Thekla Kafkia email: thekafkia@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Zoe, Marina, Maria, Konstantina, Klea, Dimitris, Christos, Estela, Marie, Anna, Sofia, Athanasia, Christina, Maria, Rafaela, Anatoly, Konstantinas, Vaggelis, Aggelos, Kristi, Xristi, Nerantzis, Age of students: 16

"The Myth of Sphinx" Sphinx was a monster with a lion's body, a female's head and torso and big wings on its back which lay crouched on a rock outside the ancient town of Thebes and was asking the passers by the following riddle. "What goes on four feet in the morning, two feet at noon, and three feet in the evening?” Everyone who couldn't solve it was eventually eaten by Sphinx.

A prince named Oedipus was travelling through the Greek countryside when he neared the city of Thebes he came across Sphinx. Up until then no one had ever solved the riddle, so no one could leave or enter the city of Thebes. When he was asked by Sphinx he replied “The answer is Man. In early childhood he creeps on hands and knees, in manhood he walks upright, and when old he walks using a cane”.

When Sphinx heard him saying the correct answer, she was so infuriated that she fell off the cliff and died.

The people of Thebes were so thankful to Oedipus that made him their king.

Name of school: 10th Helioupolis Primary School Country: Greece Teacher’s name: Natalia Tzitzi email: nataliatzi949@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Argie, Angel, Alina, Catherine, Chris, Cleopatra, Dennis, Elpidoforos, Ellie, Elenore, Filio, George, Nickie, Constantina, Annalena, John, Hector, Marilia, Marisa, Marcos, Stella, Mike, Billy, Spyros, Stergios, Sotiris, Theo, Elisabeth, Raphaela, Tony, Ven, Mariangela, Vicky.

Age of students: 9

“Mr Mouse and his Daughter” A Greek folk tale about how we people search for power in various places and eventually realize that power lies within us.

Once upon a time there was a mouse who had a daughter. She was pretty and her father did not want her to get married to one of the insignificant little mice that inhabited the old castle where he and his daughter lived.

One day he saw the Sun who was shining bright and decided to take his daughter and visit the Sun’s palace. Mr Mouse asked the Sun to marry his pretty little mouse but the Sun rejected him softly by saying to him 'I am not as powerful as you may believe. You see that cloud over there? He can block me whenever he pleases!'

Mr Mouse took his daughter to the Cloud and asked him to marry her but the Cloud replied "'I am not as powerful as you may believe. You see, the wind can blow me away”.

Mr Mouse took his daughter to the Wind and asked him to marry her but the Wind replied "'I am not as powerful as you may believe. I’ve been trying to pull down that castle for as long as I remember but I can’t!”

The mouse took his daughter to the Castle and asked him to marry her but the Castle replied "'I am not as powerful as you may believe. Can you hear the noise within my thick walls? Who do you think it is? Mighty big mice that are eating me up and are about to throw me down! Listen to me carefully! There is nobody stronger than mice and if somebody told you otherwise, you shouldn’t believe them!” Mr Mouse was surprised to hear that but deep down he knew it was true so he gave his beautiful daughter to a handsome and strong big mouse!

Title of the tale in original language: Ο ποντικός κι η θυγατέρα του

Name of school: Beylikdüzü American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Elham Salahi email: elham.m.salahi@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Azra, Nazlı Irmak Age of students: 12

“Mr Mouse and his Daughter” (Drawing) A Greek folk tale about how we people search for power in various places and eventually realize that power lies within us.

Once upon a time there was a mouse who had a daughter. She was pretty and her father did not want her to get married to one of the insignificant little mice that inhabited the old castle where he and his daughter lived.

One day he saw the Sun who was shining bright and decided to take his daughter and visit the Sun’s palace. Mr Mouse asked the Sun to marry his pretty little mouse but the Sun rejected him softly by saying to him 'I am not as powerful as you may believe. You see that cloud over there? He can block me whenever he pleases!

Mr Mouse took his daughter to the Cloud and asked him to marry her but the Cloud replied "'I am not as powerful as you may believe. You see, the wind can blow me away”.

Mr Mouse took his daughter to the Wind and asked him to marry her but the Wind replied "'I am not as powerful as you may believe. I’ve been trying to pull down that castle for as long as I remember but I can’t!”

The mouse took his daughter to the Castle and asked him to marry her but the Castle replied "'I am not as powerful as you may believe. Can you hear the noise within my thick walls? Who do you think it is? Mighty big mice that are eating me up and are about to throw me down! Listen to me carefully! There is nobody stronger than mice and if somebody told you otherwise, you shouldn’t believe

them!” Mr Mouse was surprised to hear that but deep down he knew it was true so he gave his beautiful daughter to a handsome and strong big mouse!

Name of school: Class 1 A Scuola Secondaria di 1° grado di Torre Orsaia (SA) Country: Italy.

Teacher's name: Ester Gasparro email: estergas89@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Giada, Laura, Pasquale, Ludovica, Giantonio, Anna 1, Anna 2, Antonella, Vittoria, Giuseppe, Primavera, Domenico, Gianluca, Pietro, Benedetta.

Students have retold the story reciting the dialogues (click on the photo)

Name os school: Beylikduzu American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Burcu Ozer email: burcuozer@beylikduzuamerikankoleji.com Name of student who took part: Ayşe Age of students: 10

Greek folk tale - "Mr. Mouse and His Daughter" Drama (with the help of her friends) (click on the photo)

Name of school: 12th Junior High School of Kallithea Country: Greece Teacher’s name: Giatras, Panagiotis email: giatras2911@yahoo.gr Name of students who took part: Debbie & Ellie Age of students: 13 & 14

Persephone Myth Persephone was the goddess queen of the underworld, wife of the god Hades.

She was also the goddess of spring growth, who was worshipped alongside her mother Demeter in the Eleusinian mysteries. This agricultural-based cult promised its initiates passage to a blessed afterlife.

Persephone was titled Kore (Core) (the Maiden) as the goddess of spring's bounty. Once upon a time when she was playing in a flowery meadow with her Nymph

companions,

Kore

was seized by Hades and carried

off

to

the

underworld as his bride.

Her

mother

despaired

Demeter at

disappearance searched

for

her and

her

the

throughout the world accompanied by the goddess Hecate bearing torches. When she learned that Zeus had conspired in her daughter's abduction she was furious, and refused to let the earth fruit until Persephone was returned. Zeus consented, but because the girl had tasted of the food of Hades--a handful of pomegranate seeds--she was forced to forever spend a part of the year with her husband in the underworld. Her annual return to the earth in spring was marked by the flowering of the meadows and the sudden growth of the new grain. Her return to the underworld in winter, conversely, saw the dying down of plants and the halting of growth.

In other myths, Persephone appears exclusively as the queen of the underworld, receiving the likes of Heracles and Orpheus at her court.

Persephone was usually depicted as a young goddess holding grain and a flaming torch. Sometimes she was shown in the company of her mother Demeter, and the hero Triptolemos, the teacher of agriculture. At other times she appears enthroned beside Hades.

Name of school: VII LO im. Juliusza Słowackiego, Warsaw Country: Poland Teacher’s name: Małgorzata Malczyk email: malczykm@interia.eu Name of students who took part: Marianna, Borys Age of students: 17

Myth about Persephone (recreation) Kore was a timid and calm goddess with beauty that could rival Aphrodite’s. When she grew up, adorers showed up fighting for her hand. Her mother, Demeter, looked for a god that would give her power and influence through Kore’s marriage.

Despite her good nature, Kore was furious and tired of her mother’s constant demands and gross suitors. But she knew one place where she could be free from them.

Next time Demeter was busy, Kore sneaked away and went to the meadow where narcissuses were blooming. She picked one and the Earth broke beneath her.

When Demeter found out Kore was missing, she became furious. She destroyed all plants and waited for her daughter to show up. When that didn’t work, she went to Olympus seeking help from Zeus. He told her that Kore was underground and had just become the queen of the dead.

Demeter’s rage became even bigger and she descended into the abyss to look for Kore. And there she was, her child standing in the royal robes and flowers in her hair. But when Demeter demanded from her to come back home immediately, Kore refused. A fight broke out between the mother and the daughter. Blinded by rage Kore took a sharp rock and stabbed Demeter through her heart. From the fallen goddess’s blood a little tree with red fruit grew. Kore, the queen of the dead, ate the fruit containing life and nature and she turned into Persephone, a goddess of life, nature and death.

Name of school: 12th Junior High School of Kallithea Country: Greece Teacher’s name: Giatras, Panagiotis email: giatras2911@yahoo.gr Name of students who took part: Hlektra & Garyfallia Age of students: 15

The Myth of Icarus and Daedalus Icarus' father Daedalus, a very talented and remarkable Athenian craftsman, built the Labyrinth for King

Minos

imprisoned

of

Crete.

Daedalus

in

Minos the

labyrinth because he gave Mino's daughter, Ariadne a ball of string in order to help Theseus. Daedalus could not leave Crete by sea because of Minos, so he set to work

to

fabricate

wings

for

himself and his young son Icarus.

Daedalus fashioned two pairs of wings out of wax and feathers. Daedalus warned his son not to fly too close to the sun, nor too close to the sea. At some point, Icarus began to soar upward toward the sun. The blazing sun softened the wax and Icarus quickly fell in the sea and drowned. Daedalus cried, bitterly lamenting his own arts, and called the land near the place where Icarus fell into the ocean, Icaria in the memory of his child. Sometime later, the goddess Athena visited Daedalus and gave him wings, telling him to fly like a god.

Name of school: 12th Junior High School of Kallithea Country: Greece Teacher’s name: Giatras, Panagiotis email: giatras2911@yahoo.gr Name of students who took part: Efi & Georg & Ioanna Age of students: 15

Hercules and Nemea Lion In ancient times, the 12 immortal gods lived in Olympus. Zeus had a son, Hercules. Hercules was half god and half human. Ira was jealous of him and made him crazy. As a result, he killed his wife and his children because he thought that they were his enemies.

After that, he went to Pitheia to take an oracle.

So Pitheia told him that he had to obey to his cousin for 12 years and to accomplish a few labours, as he hoped that in this way Hercules could be killed. Known as the 12 labours of Hercules. One of them was the battle with the Nemean lion.

Next, he went to his cousin and he ordered him to go and kill the lion-beast of nemea. Then, Hercules began to search for it. After a lot of hours of searching he achieved to find it. It was very difficult for someone to kill it. It lived in a cave, which had two entries, close to a mountain. At first Hercules tried to hurt it with his arrows. But unfortunately, the arrows didn’t help at all and the lion attacked him. When the lion finally appeared, Hercules hurt it with a bat. Afterwards, the lion hid to his nest. Meanwhile Hercules collected some big rocks and, in this way, he closed the one entry. So, he went into the cave from the other entry. The lion pounced on him and they were fighting for about an hour. In the end Hercules managed to choke it.

Name of school: 12th Junior High School of Kallithea Country: Greece Teacher’s name: Giatras, Panagiotis email: giatras2911@yahoo.gr Name of students who took part: Ariadne & Katerina Age of students: 14

The birth of Athena

Mother of Athena was Mitis, the first wife of Zeus. Zeus, fearing that Mitis would give birth to a son stronger than himself, swallowed her. Later he suffered from headaches and called Hephaestus, the god of fire and iron, to help him. He struck the head of Zeus with an ax and popped Athena fully armed, wearing a helmet and holding a shield. That was the story of Athena's birth. She was the goddess of wisdom.

Athena gave her name to Athens, the capital of Greece.

Name of school: I.I.S. DON L. MILANI- GRAGNANO Country: ITALY Teacher’s name: Antonietta Calò email: tonia.calo@gmail.com A group of students 14/15 years old created still-images to narrate the story of Athena's birth

Name of school: 12th Junior High School of Kallithea Country: Greece Teacher’s name: Giatras, Panagiotis email: giatras2911@yahoo.gr Name of student who took part: Antonia Age of student: 15

Lernean Hydra Hydra was the daughter of Typhon and Echidna. She had grown up in Argolis in the marsh of Lerna. From time to time she came out into the country. It destroyed entire herds and devastated the fields. Hydra was huge, a nine-headed snake. The head in the middle was immortal. Heracles should kill her. He took his beloved nephew Iolaos with him. They found Hydra in her cave and forced her to leave her cave with burning arrows. Heracles fought fearlessly with her, but he could not come to an end. Every time he smashed his head, two grew out. He called Ιolaos to help. Iolaos prevented the nine heads from growing with fire and so Heracles beat the Hydra's immortal head.

Name of school: 12th Junior High School of Kallithea Country: Greece Teacher’s name: Giatras, Panagiotis email: giatras2911@yahoo.gr Name of students who took part: Stamatina, Chryssi, Aggelina Age of students: 15

The abduction of Europe According to the Greek myth, Europe was Kadmous sister, the founder of Thebes and the Agnosor. One day she went to the meadows to play with her friends to pick up some flowers. She met Zeus there. He immediately fell in love with her and in order to approach her, he transformed into a strong bull, while thinking of a possible way to capture her.

Then she approached the bull –Zeus – and started caressing him, impressed by its muscular strength. When she started riding the bull, it suddenly sped up and started running very fast. Europe was crying but couldn’t jump of and run away because she was afraid she would get killed.

When Zeus landed to Crete, he no longer looked like a bull. After that he grabbed Europe’s hand and lead her to Dikteon Andron. Europe and Zeus children were Minos, Radamanthys and Sarpidon.

Later, when Zeus abandoned Europe and went to Olympus, Europe got married to the king of Asterion.

Name of school: 3rd PRIMARY SCHOOL OF AGIOS NIKOLAOS Country: Greece Teacher’s name: Irene Androulaki Name of students who took part: eTwinning team

"EUROPE-ZEUS and THE INTERNET" Recreation of the myth supposing "what if there was internet back then?" (click on the photo)

Name of school: 12th Junior High School of Kallithea Country: Greece Teacher’s name: Giatras, Panagiotis email: giatras2911@yahoo.gr Name of students who took part: Anastasia, Stella Age of students: 14

The Titans At first there was the chaos, an empty space. From the chaos were born the Earth, the night and the day. From the Earth were born the mountains, the sea and Uranus, the first god.

From Uranus and Earth were born 13 children, the Titans. Because Uranus was afraid that one day, one of his children would take his throne, just as he was born, Uranus, he threw them into a deep cave. Also, Uranus said that some of his kids were really ugly and he couldn’t believe that they were his children.

One of his children, Cronus, who was a titan and the youngest of all titans, was very smart and determined. With the help of his mother he killed Uranus.

Cronus was afraid that his children would do the same thing he did to his father. So when his wife Rea was giving birth, Cronus ate every child. After swallowing his first five children, Rea tried to save her sixth child. The called him Zeus. Rea gave Cronus a stone wrapped in diapers to eat it ant took the small Zeus in Crete. There, in a cave on a mountain, the nymphs cared for him.

When Zeus grew up, he took the throne from Cronus and forced him to take his brothers and sisters out of his belly. A great war began between Cronus and Zeus Cronus had held of the Titans and Zeus had his brothers.

The war lasted for 10 years. Zeus, with the help of three giants who had 100 hands each, defeated and became the ruler of the world. This battle is known as Titanomachia.

Myths, legends and stories from Italy 1. Montefiascone: the legend of the wine Est Est Est 2. Mystery around Lake Bolsena queen Amalasuntha 3. The machine of doing homework 3a. Dramatize the story and create a video 3b. Drama in a video 4. The legend of Romeo and Juliet 4a. Different ending 1 4b. Different ending 2 4c. Drama in a video 5. Our myths, our legends, our stories‌ Our Cultural Heritage 5a. Different ending 6. The legend of Skuma 7. The legend of Taras 8. Legends and Myths from the Sea and the Mountains of Cilento: 1. The Mountains and the Sacred 2. The seven stisters 9. Madonna of Cervati 10.Madonna and the Sacred mont 11.The mountain and the evil Janare 12.The sea and the Myth 13.The legend of Leucosia

14.The legend of the Siren Parthenope 14a. Recreation with a video 14b. Different ending

Name of school: Istituto Comprensivo “Anna Molinaro” Montefiascone (VT) Country: Italy Name: Sara Dionisi email: sara.dionisi@istruzione.it Name of students who took part: Francesca, Federico, Aurora, Alessia, Flavio, Leo, Arianna, Pietro, Diego, Aurora, Elisa, Irene, Simone, Alessandra.

Age of students: 11/12 Montefiascone: the legend of the wine Est Est Est INFORMATION Montefiascone is the the Mons Faliscorum, the Faliscans’ mountain, who came here after the destruction of his land.

This village is situated on a hill and it is the highest village on the Bolsena lake.

This is a strategic position because of the Cassia and especially because this is a way where many pilgrims go through.

The surrounding area is full of precious vineyards which produce the worldwide famous wine Est! Est!! Est!!!

There is an amazing legend about this wine, a product which every years is celebrated in the village.

THE LEGEND It was 1111 A.C. and Henry the fifth from Germany was going to Rome to be crowned the Holy Roman Empire and during his trip decided to stop for one day in Montefiascone.

With him there was Johannes Defuk, bishop and expert of wines.

The legend says they were always looking for great wines to taste, so usually there were their slave, Martino, visiting the places before them, just to discover the best wines.

They had decided a unique code in order to recognize the only inns with the best wine: Martino had to write on the door Est, meaning there is, when the wine was good, and if the wine had been excellent, he would have written Est Est. When Martino arrived to Montefiascone and tasted the local wine, he decide to reward this drink and his quality writing on the door Est! Est!! Est!!!

The bishop, when tasted it, totally agreed with his slave and he loved the wine.

First, he decide to extend his staying in Montefiascone, then he bought a house and kept living here for the rest of his life.

It is said that one day he died because of too much wine drunk.

Johannes Defuk was buried in the San Flavian church, where still you can read this sencence: “Because of too much Est, he is buried Johannes Defuk“.

The rich bishop, to thank Montefiascone and all the people which produced the wine, left a big heritage of about 24.000 ecu, for only one condition: to pour some wine on his tomb every anniversary of his death.

This rite became a tradition and still today every year all the people dress up with old costumes and re-experience the bishop death.

Name of school: I.C. “A. MOLINARO” MONTEFIASCONE (VT) Country: ITALY Teacher’s name: PAOLA ROMOLI email: paola.romoli-1967@poste.it Name of your students who took part: Alessandro, Giacomo, Benedetta, Gabriele, Tayma, Luca C., Daniel, Stefan, Matteo, Jacopo, Serena, Alex, Giorgia, Sofia, Luca, Elena, Davide, Rachele, Jacopo N., Andrea, Elisa, Aurora, Viola Age of your students: 10

MYSTERY AROUND LAKE BOLSENA QUEEN AMALASUNTHA Amalasuntha is an Ostrogoths' Queen.

She's King Theodoric the Great daughter... …a long, long time ago Theodoric the Great invades Italy.

Theodoric sets the capital of the kingdom in Ravenna Theodoric is a very good and wise king.

He loves his people and reigns with justice.

He lives in Ravenna in a very beautiful royal palace.

Amalasuntha is beautiful, smart and well educated. She receives an extraordinary education. She speaks Latin and Italian fluently, in addition to her native language.

In 515, Amalasuntha marries Eutharic, a Visigoth prince from Iberia (modern Spain). Their marriage is important to unite their kingdoms.

In 526, Theodoric dies. He is buried in Ravenna in a monumental mausoleum.

After Theodoric's death, the crown passes to Athalaric, Queen Amalasuntha's son.

Athalaric is only ten so Amalasuntha becomes queen.

Amalasuntha decides to give her son the best Roman classical education, but the Goths don’t agree. They want their king to be a warrior, not a scholar. They think Amalasuntha wants to attack their values and culture.

In 534 Athalaric dies. He is only 16.

Amalasuntha invites her cousin Theodahad to share the throne with her to strengthen her position.

Theodahad, thirtsty for power, wants to get rid of Amalasuntha. He organizes a kidnapping and the Queen is exiled and imprisoned in Martana Island, Lake Bolsena.

Unfortunately, she spends only a few days there.

On April 30th 535, she is strangled while she is having a bath.

Her death is full of mystery and powers legends among the people around Lake Bolsena. It is said that her body is buried in a golden carriage in one of the hills in front of the Martana Island.

Many fishermen say that when a strong north wind blows they can see her ghost around the lake and they can hear the awful screams of the Goths' Queen.

Name of school: Direzione Didattica di Todi – Scuola Primaria di Pantalla Country: ITALY Teacher’s name: Marcella Corradini email: marcella.corradini@istruzione.it Age of students: Class 4^ (10 years), School Year 2015-16

The machine for doing homework

By Gianni Rodari

One day a strange man knocked at our door: a funny little man, a little man. He had a bag bigger than him on his shoulder.

-I have here machines to sell - he said.

-Show them - said my Father.

-Here, this is a machine for doing homework. You press the red button to solve problems, the yellow button to do the themes, the green button to learn the geography: The machine does everything by itself in a minute.

-Compramela, dad! - I said.

-Good, how much do you want?

-I do not want any money - said the little man.

-Bat you will not work just to get hot!?

-No, but in exchange for the machine I want your child's brain.

-But you're crazy! - Father exclaimed.

-Listen, sir," said the little man, smiling. - If it's the machine that does the homework, what do I do it of the brain?

-Buy me the car. Dad! - I implored. - What do I do with the brain?

Father looked at me a little and then said: -Okay, take his brain.

The little man took my brain and put it in a purse. How light I was, without a brain! So light that I started flying around the room, and if Father had not caught me in time I would have flown down the window.

-You will have to keep it in a cage - said the little man.

-But why? - Father asked.

-He has no brain anymore, that's why. If you let him go around, he will fly in the woods like a little bird, and in a few days, he will die of hunger!

My father locked me in a cage, like a canary. The cage was small, narrow, I could not move. the prison bars tightened me so much that ... in the end I woke up scared. Luckily it had only been a dream!

I assure you that I immediately started to do my homework.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------https://youtu.be/WpGr6XHiuSQ https://youtu.be/_TJotIQeKf8

Name of school: Beylikdüzü American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Maria Yiğit email: mariayigit82@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Duru, Duru Doğan, Ece, Nihal, Ayşe

The machine for doing homework Dramatize the story and create a video (click on the photo)

Name of school: Beylikduzu American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher: Burcu Özer email: burcuozer@beylikduzuamerikankoleji.com Name of students who took part: Ezel, Berathan, Yiğit Age of students: 10-11

"The Machine for Doing Homework" Drama (with the help of their friends) (click on the photo)

Name of school: ISIS (ISTITUTO STATALE DI ISTRUZIONE SUPERIORE) NEWTON di VARESE Country: ITALY Teacher’s name: GABRIELLA GASPERINI email: gasperini.gabriella@libero.it Name of students who took part: Davide, Lorenzo, Samuel, Arjon, Asad, Ali, Joshua, Armando, Mattia, Franco, Valentino, Alessandro, Umair, Suleman, Zekir, Francesco, Stefano, Sayd Age of students: 15-18

THE LEGEND OF ROMEO AND JULIET Romeo and Juliet fall in love at a party.

But they come from families which hate each other. They are sure they will not be allowed to marry.

Nevertheless,

helped by

Friar

Laurence,

they

marry

in secret instead.

Unfortunately, before their wedding night Romeo kills Juliet's cousin in a duel, and in the morning, he is forced to leave her. If he ever returns to the city, he will, he will be put to death.

Juliet's parents told her she must marry Paris. Her parents don't know she is already married. She refuses in the beginning, but later agrees because she plans to fake her death and escape to be with Romeo forever, again with the help of Friar Laurence.

Friar Laurence designs the plan. He gives Juliet a sleeping potion.

She appears to be dead and is put in a tomb. However, Romeo doesn't know about the plan, visits her grave, thinks she is dead and kills himself. When Juliet finally wakes up, she discovers that Romeo is dead and then kills himself.

William Shakespeare's play, which is based on the Italian version of the Legend, is set in Verona and is a story about a long feud between the Montague and the Capulet

families.

in the play,

Romeo

This feud and

causes Juliet.

tragic The

results for the main characters events

contrast hatred

and

revenge with love and a secret marriage, forcing the young star-crossed lovers to grow up quickly and die tragically in despair.

THE REASONS WHY WE (my students and me) HAVE PREFERRED THIS LEGEND TO OTHER STORIES

Romeo and Juliet is the most famous love story ever written. There is no one who hasn’t heard or read of the two ‘star-crossed’ lovers from Verona. It is a story that has withstood the test of time and is popular with the younger generation as with the older. This makes it ‘a story forever young’, combining the force of tradition and individuality with what everyone can share and enjoy.

THE ACTIVITY WE HAVE CHOSEN is TO GIVE THE LEGEND A DIFFERENT ENDING. After a quite animated discussion (it has not been very easy to find a solution which was satisfying for the majority of us: in fact some students argued that it was impossible to make changes of every kind because this would have spoilt the beauty, the fascination and the ‘immortality’ of this legend) the party of ‘a possible change’ has prevailed also because the majority of the students shared a certain opinion about Romeo’s reaction immediately after finding Juliet apparently dead.This common remark can be summarized by the question : WHY WAS ROMEO SO IMPATIENT ? WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF HE HAD WAITED A BIT BEFORE KILLING HIMSELF? This question has inspired our different ending. So, Romeo doesn’t kill himself: he hesitates, trying to understand if he is dreaming or not. And the miracle happens. Suddenly Juliet opens her eyes and smiles to him.

And Friar Laurence is ready to help the young couple to go away, far from the feud between their families. Romeo and Juliet will come back to Verona when the Montague and the Capulet, having understood the ‘lesson’ of their escape, decide to make peace and accept this marriage of love.

Name of school: VII LO im Juliusza Słowackiego, Warsaw Country: Poland Teacher’s name: Małgorzata Malczyk email: malczykm@interia.eu Name of students who took part: Kasia, Bernard Age of students: 17

Romeo and Juliet - a different ending Romeo couldn’t suppress his big love to Juliet anymore. Every night he was writing romantic letters to her. At last he decided to run away with her and he explained the whole plan in the letter. They were going to meet by the tree where they had had their first date. They stole a carriage and ran abroad. Now they live happily without any troubles with their families. They work hard to survive in the cruel world but they enjoy life and each other’s company.

Name of school: Beylikduzu American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher: Burcu Ozer email: burcuozer@beylikduzuamerikankoleji.com Name of students who took part: Zeynep, Tuana, Nazanin, Jude, Dila, Çağla Age of students: 10-11

The Legend of Romeo and Juliet Drama (click on the photo)

Name of school: IISS AUGUSTO RIGHI Country: Italy Teacher’s name: Maria Luisa Cusumano email: luisa.cusumano@libero.it Name of student who took part: Valentino Age of student: 14

Our myths, our legends, our stories… Our Cultural Heritage I'm very happy to talk about Italy's stories because are very beautiful and really interesting especially because they are witnesses of our past, somehow explain our present identity and are landmark of a city and finally teach us how we were, linking our past to our present. These stories mustn’t be forgotten. The origin of the names of most Italian cities is a piece of history wrapped in legend and myths and there is always a place, a stone, or anything else people are proud of because it represents a distinctive milestone in our culture.

Starting from the North of Italy I’d like to start with TORINO and its name.

Torino is the result of the stratification of cultures, people and civilisations.

According to an imaginative legend the name of this city dates back to over 2000 years ago when the city was only a small village called “Taurasia” at the food of the Alps inhabited by descendants of the union of the Gauls and Celtic-Ligures. This Neolithic village was tormented by a fearsome dragon that lived in the wild woods of ancient Padus (near the river PO). The people would have decided to inebriate a bull with wine and stir it up against the dragon. The bull won against the dragon thanks to a mixture of water and wine! The enraged bull, after defeating the monster, would die from his injuries. So, the people decided to worship him.

In Firenze everyone knows La Berta, a petrified head of a woman on the side flank of the church of Santa Maria Maggiore. Also, in this case there are different believes about it: for some people the head would be there from 1326 because of the astrologer Cecco d'Ascoli, condemned to the stake, following a curse launched against a woman, who denied water, had prevented him from being saved from the flames. For other people, it would be a greengrocer who gave the church a bell to warn the workers, with its tolling, the opening and closing of the city doors. That head probably was a recognition.

In Italy religion is important. If you go to Rome you can’t miss a visit to Castel Sant’Angelo. Why is it called like that? In 590 d.C, while Rome was devastated by a strong plague, Pope Gregory the Great participated in the solemn procession with a miraculous image of the Madonna. Even some sick people followed his example and, as soon as the procession arrived near the Mole Adriana (now Castel Sant'Angelo), the pope had the vision of an angel with a drawn sword that he gently placed in the scabbard. The vision was interpreted as a celestial sign of the end of the epidemic.

And since then the monument was called Castel Sant'Angelo, on which was then built the statue of the angel seen by the Pope.

Do you know how the Pizza was invented? NAPOLI AND ITS PIZZA: A legend wants that in June 1889, in Napoli, to honor the Queen of Italy Margherita di Savoia, the chef Raffaele Esposito created pizza Margherita, a pizza topped with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil, to represent the colors of the Italian flag.

The pizza thus passed from street food to bourgeois and aristocratic food, officially admitted to the table of rulers. Now we can say it is a sort of Italian cultural heritage, can’t we?

Following our journey from North to South there are places that are not so popular with foreign people which are amazing and full with treasures of art and legends.

After History, religion, tradition this is another story about the strict relationship between nature and magic.

BENEVENTO AND ITS NOCE: The Noce di Benevento was an ancient and leafy walnut tree consecrated to the Germanic god Odin, around which a community of Longobards gathered near Benevento from the 6th century, in the territories originally inhabited by the Samnites. The celebration of pagan and religious rituals, which included a goat skin hanging on the walnut tree, gave life to various legends that have perpetuated over the centuries, concerning magical ceremonies and rituals officiated by witches during the Sabbath (the rituals of the witches).

And now we are in Apulia, my region La Notte della Taranta, Puglia, Italy As the legend goes, there was only one way to survive the bite of a tarantula.

And the workers in the fields of Italy discovered it.

When the spider bit you and the venom started to move within your body, you had to move with it. The only way to flush out the poison from a potentially lethal

bite was to dance. But a slow waltz would not work, nor even a flowing tango. You had to throw your hands in the air, jump, thrash, shout. You quite literally had to dance like your life depended on it.

And it was from this story that the traditional dance of the Puglia region, called the ‘pizzica’ – which literally translates as ‘bite’ was born. And it is for this that everyone comes together each year for the Night of the Tarantula – or La Notte della Taranta.

Name of school: Zespół Szkół Gastronomiczno-Hotelarskich w Gdańsku Country: Poland Teacher’s name: Łukasz Kamiński email: fuchur666@wp.pl Name of students who took part: Agnieszka and Jan Age of students: 16

Different ending And now we are in Apulia, my region La Notte della Taranta, Puglia, Italy. As the legend goes, there was only one way to survive the bite of a tarantula. And the workers in the fields of Italy discovered it.

When the spider bit you and the venom started to move within your body, you must go at the top of the mountain. The only way to flush out the poison from a potentially lethal bite was to eat a big yellow flower. But the bitten person has two problems, first - on the way at the top she meets a huge dragon which don't like human. One way to get around and get the flower was climb for the tree. When you have a flower and want to eat this you must swallow at once whole flower.

Name of school: IISS AUGUSTO RIGHI TARANTO Country: Italy Teacher’s name: Maria Luisa Cusumano email: luisa.cusumano@libero.it Student's name who took part: Marco Age of student: 14

THE LEGEND OF SKUMA In Taranto, at that time lived a pair of young spouses. The bride was beautiful, the most beautiful girl in the city, and the bridegroom a young fisherman, strong and in love with his bride.

His work forcing the bridegroom to remain away often for days.

The beauty of the bride attracted the attention of a rich Lord who took advantage of continuous absences of young fisherman to begin to woo the young, arriving to make them expensive gifts.

The bride, both for the remoteness of the husband both for the gifts that you were in turn more beautiful and expensive, accepted, at the end, the court of the rich man. The remorse for what in fact is not the withdrew ever and a day confessed everything to her husband, who do not taken well. Blinded by anger and led her on the high seas with his boat and pushed his wife in water. The poor little girl, not knowing swim, poached.

The sirens came to his aid and saved. The mythical creatures were conquered by the beauty of the woman enough to proclaim their queen. Gave it the name of Skuma.

The poor husband repented soon his gesture and not a day passed that do not go back in the spot where he had seen drown his wife to weep and curse his wrath.

One day the sirens, interested by the sad spectacle of the young crying, decided to seize his boat and they did fall into the water. Immediately brought it to their enchanted castle to decide to Skuma the fate of the stud. The Queen knew her beloved husband and ordered to the sirens of does not harm him.

The fisherman was restored, fainted, shore and he remained there until the morning when I awoke, understanding that his beloved wife had not died as he thought. The desire to return with her urged him to contact a young fairy to ask how to save his bride.

The Fairy the revealed that his sweet bride would be free again if he were succeeded to seize the single flower white coral present in the garden of the sirens. The fisherman, whit another boat, reached the point where the Sirens had taken prisoner. Here, began to shout the name of his wife. Skuma succeeded in escaping from the castle and embrace the young fisherman. The bridegroom told to the queen of the sirens what the fairy had told him.

Skuma drew up the plan. The bridegroom used all his savings to buy beautiful jewelry, put them on his boat and began to navigate in the Gulf of Taranto. The sirens, attracted from the gems and the precious stones, abandoned the castle.

Left alone in the castle, Skuma managed to steal the flower of coral and gave him back immediately to the fairy that waited on the shore. The fairy, magic, created a big wave that swept away all the sirens. Unfortunately, the bridegroom was not able to move away in time and was overwhelmed by the same wave that the dragged down does not know where. Skuma, free from sirens and remained alone, chose to close in a monastery where he died. Legend has it that in the nights of the full moon Skuma, dressed as a nun, vague for the Gulf of Taranto, looking for her beloved and hoping in his return and would explain the name of one of the Towers demolished the Aragonese Castle, Tower of Monacella.

Name of school: IISS AUGUSTO RIGHI TARANTO Country: Italy Teacher’s name: Maria Luisa Cusumano email: luisa.cusumano@libero.it Name of students who took part: Francesco - Giuseppe Age of student: 14

THE LEGEND OF TARAS Taras was the son of the nymph Satyria and Neptune, god of the sea. He was the head of a fleet that landed at the mouth of a river that later took its name. On the banks of the watercourse he began to make sacrifices to thank the father of the good journey undertaken and to propitiate the building of a new city in that place.

In those days it worked like this. Let's say that sacrificing animals was a good omen as it is today to give a lucky cornet or hang a horse bracket on the door.

Taras was doing this primal surgical operation (the entrails of the animals were gutted and burned in honor of the god) when he suddenly saw a dolphin jump in the river's waters.

The young man interpreted this apparition as the sign of Neptune's favor, of his encouragement to found the city. He called it Saturo to pay homage to either his mother Satyria or his wife Satureia (who knows what a confusion in his family), a place that still bears this name.

A few centuries later, the Spartans led by Falanto arrived in the same place and took possession of the city and established an aristocratic government there.

But this is another story.

Let's go back to point the camera on Taras. One day, while he was intent on making sacrifices, he fell into the river and, despite the research of those who attended the ritual, his body was never found.

Everyone was convinced then that it was the father Neptune who took him with him to welcome him into the ranks of heroes. A temple was therefore dedicated to him in which he was revered as a god by the inhabitants of the city.

On the ancient coins of Taranto is depicted Taras riding a dolphin holding a trident in his left hand (symbol of Neptune) and in his right hand a vase of sacrifice that refers to the propitiatory rituals that the young man used to do to the god of the sea.

As seen in the photos, the current emblem depicts Taras riding the dolphin while holding a trident and the chlamys, the mantle used by the Greeks in battle. It is obviously inspired by the image shown on the Magno-Greek coins, even if with some variations.

For the hands of Taras have in fact passed various objects ... now this, now that, now on the right, now on the left ...

To achieve this result has not been simple, indeed, various versions of the civic emblem have followed over time.

For a start, the most ancient coat of arms was completely different and coincided with what is now the symbol of the Ionian province: the scorpion with the crown and the three lilies on the back, do you have this?

The scorpion has remained in vogue for 17 centuries and you think that to choose it was Pirro himself! If you want to know more details, I suggest you read this article on the history of the coat of arms of Taranto.

In 1589 the emblem chosen by Pirro was replaced with that of Taras straddling the dolphin, but his left hand, instead of being wrapped in the mantle as in the current version, held a shield depicting a scorpion.

Name of school: Classe 1 A - Scuola secondaria di 1°grado di Torre Orsaia (SA) Country: Italy Teacher’s name: Ester Gasparro email estergas89@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Giada, Laura, Pasquale, Ludovica, Giantonio, Anna 1, Anna 2, Antonella, Vittoria, Giuseppe, Primavera, Domenico, Gianluca, Pietro, Benedetta Age of students: 12

Legends and Myths from the Sea and the Mountains of Cilento The Mountains and the Sacred

THE SEVEN SISTERS Pilgrimages are a great opportunity for the meeting of micro-cultures, sometimes distant from each other, that periodically find a possibility of cultural exchanges. People unconsciously express what has remained authentic in their soul, linked to the roots and memories of distant times that live again through rituals and gestures, both sacred and profane.

Usually the sanctuaries, destination of the pilgrimages, are on the top of a mountain, reachable after an arduous climb on foot. The height places the pilgrim in immediate communication with God. Pilgrimages carries the double rite of ascending and descending from the mountain, as a reminder of the very ancient use of transhumance - one climbs with the flocks in spring and goes back down in autumn.

During the ascent, along routes marked by centuries - the tratturi (the paths for transhumance) - the groups of pilgrims stop at pre-established points to rest.

These are the moments in which the popular spirit is expressed in traditional music, usually Cilentan or Lucane tarantella, ballads to the rhythm of the bagpipes and, more often, the organ and the tambourine, which have now replaced the old musical instruments of Cilento, the swinging guitar and the frischariéddo (cane whistle).

The ritual of the cénte has remained immutable for centuries. Cénte are votive gifts of candles - usually a hundred candles - decorated with colored ribbons that hold them together to create the shape of a boat or a castle, depending on the tradition of individual countries.

Usually the destinations of the pilgrimages are the sanctuaries dedicated to the Virgin Mary. There are seven in Cilento, united by the legend of the seven Sisters or Madonnas, and they are: Madonna del Granato, Capaccio Vecchio, M. Vesole Sottano, m. 254; Madonna della Stella, Sessa Cilento, M. della Stella, m. 1131; Madonna della Civitella, Moio della Civitella, M. Civitella, m. 818; Madonna del Carmine, Catona, M. del Carmine, m. 713; Madonna della Neve, Piaggine-Sanza, M. Cervati, m. 1899; Madonna di Pietrasanta, San Giovanni a Piro, M. Pietrasanta, m. 528; Madonna del Sacro Monte, Novi Velia, M. Gelbison o Sacro, m. 1707.

The cult of the seven Madonnas is certainly very ancient and has its origins in pre-Christian models.

Among the seven, one is considered "ugly", because she is depicted with dark skin and is called "schiavóna", that is foreigner, but she turns out to be the most beautiful and most loved of all. For the Cilento it is that of the Sacred Mount, whose sanctuary is far the most frequented.

Name of school: Classe 1 A - Scuola secondaria di 1°grado di Torre Orsaia (SA) Country: Italy Teacher’s name: Ester Gasparro email estergas89@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Giada, Laura, Pasquale, Ludovica, Giantonio, Anna 1, Anna 2, Antonella, Vittoria, Giuseppe, Primavera, Domenico, Gianluca, Pietro, Benedetta Age of students: 12

Madonna of Cervati A long time ago, God wanted to punish men, because they did not respect his will. Seven sisters were saved because they were merciful and had always respected Him. God invited them to escape without looking back, otherwise they will be kept in that place for the eternity. When the best of the seven sisters arrived at the top of a mountain, decided to shelter in a cave, where she turned back and immediately became a stone statue.

Many years passed and nobody knew of that. Then, in a year of great famine, two hunters met at the foot of mount Cervati and they entered the woods looking for provisions for the winter. It soon got dark and they decided to sleep under an Oak tree. Before falling asleep, they told each other traditions and customs from their towns, trying to overcome hunger. The following day they looked for berries and ate them in quantity. They then arrived in front of a cave completely covered by brambles. They were trying to cut them when suddenly saw a statue of the Virgin Mary. They thought it was a hallucination, but She told them: “It is not an hallucination, this is a sacred place, it is my house”.

The two men were amazed by such a splendor. They began to fight, since both wanted to bring the statue with them. Kicks, punches and complaints disturbed the calm of that mountain and the serenity of the Madonna. The virgin at that point, angry with the hunters, punished them severely, narrowing the entrance to the cave, making sure that no one could take her away from the sacred place. She also ordered that whoever wanted to see her would have to go up the mountain. Then she continued, saying that if someone tried to take her away again, she would definitely close the door.

From that day, it is tradition that many pilgrims come to the mount Cervati to see the beauty, the refinement and the charming simplicity of the statue of Mary, kept in a beloved sanctuary.

Name of school: Classe 1 A - Scuola secondaria di 1°grado di Torre Orsaia (SA) Country: Italy Teacher’s name: Ester Gasparro email estergas89@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Giada, Laura, Pasquale, Ludovica, Giantonio, Anna 1, Anna 2, Antonella, Vittoria, Giuseppe, Primavera, Domenico, Gianluca, Pietro, Benedetta Age of students: 12

MADONNA OF SACRED MOUNT An ancient legend of Cilento tells what happened at the time of the building of the Sanctuary of Sacro Monte in Novi Velia.

According to the legend, the shepherds, who wanted to build on the mount Gelbison a temple to dedicate to the Virgin, every morning found what they had built the day before destroyed. The shepherds decided then to watch over their work at night to discover what happened. They decided also to bring a lamb to eat it, but the lamb run away. While the shepherds were chasing him, suddenly they saw a ray of light and heard a voice with a melodious music. The voice said: "That lamb is symbol of life and if you kill it, you will be punished." They did not obey to the warning and took the lamb to the entrance of a cave. The entrance was closed by a wall that they broke down. When they entered, they saw the image of the Virgin near which the lamb found refuge. They understood then that they were living a prodigious experience. They were very frightened, but the sweet voice reassured them and said: "Don't be afraid, nobody will menace you anymore if you build in this sacred place a church" and added: “Remember that this sweet and helpless animal saved you". Still now, it is said that free lambs inhabit the Sacred mount, because they are protected by the Virgin Mary.

Name of school: Classe 1 A - Scuola secondaria di 1°grado di Torre Orsaia (SA) Country: Italy Teacher’s name: Ester Gasparro email estergas89@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Giada, Laura, Pasquale, Ludovica, Giantonio, Anna 1, Anna 2, Antonella, Vittoria, Giuseppe, Primavera, Domenico, Gianluca, Pietro, Benedetta Age of students: 12

The mountain and the evil Janare Mount Cervati with its 1898 metres of height is the highest mountain in Cilento.

It is always covered of snow. The mountain has been for long time in the past, a natural reserve of ice. An old legend narrates that under the last inner layer of ice there is still now the first snow fallen at the time of creation.

On the mount Cervati live the ianare, who are witches with a human face and wings of vulture and feet and hands with claws. They have a voice like that of thunders during storms. At the head of these witches, there is a super janara, who is the daughter of a witch and the devil itself. Super janare were born, according to the legend, on the river Sabato, near Benevento and have higher powers than the common witches have.

On Saint John's Nights, on 24th June, janare celebrated the Sabbath by gathering on the mountain. In those occasions, according to popular testimonies of the time, the mountain turned into a real fireball.

In reality, the effect was due to the numerous ritual fires that in almost all of Italy were lit during the night of 24th June to celebrate ancient rural cults.

Name of school: Classe 1 A - Scuola secondaria di 1°grado di Torre Orsaia (SA) Country: Italy Teacher’s name: Ester Gasparro email estergas89@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Giada, Laura, Pasquale, Ludovica, Giantonio, Anna 1, Anna 2, Antonella, Vittoria, Giuseppe, Primavera, Domenico, Gianluca, Pietro, Benedetta Age of students: 12

L

The Sea and the Myth

eucosia The myth of Leucosia narrates the story of a mermaid, who lived in the Gulf of Salerno. Leucosia is a very important figure of Greek – Roman mythology. She gives her name to an islet in the gulf of Salerno.

After the journey to Hades, when Ulysses, goes back to Circe, she warns him

about the many threats that await him in his long journey in the Mediterranean Sea. One of them is the dangerous, deceitful mermaid Leucosia. She kills sailors, attracting them near the rocks with her wonderful voice, driving them to throw themselves into the sea.

When Ulysses arrives in the bay of Salerno, not far from the rocks, he remembers Circe's warnings and orders his companions to put wax in their ears so as not to hear any sound. Instead, intrigued by the siren song, he decided not to put the wax, but to tie himself to the mast. As soon as Leucosia sees the ship arriving, she begins to sing. Ulysses’ comrades, having the wax in their ears, hear nothing. Instead, the courageous hero suffers the desire to throw himself into the sea. He complains and shouts, trying to resist that sweet song.

Beyond the gulf of Salerno, the unfair mermaid, afraid of having lost her powers and angry for her failure, decides to throw herself on the rocks of Poseidonia. When her body re-emerges lifeless, her name is given to an islet: Punta Licosa.

Name of school: Classe 1 A - Scuola secondaria di 1°grado di Torre Orsaia (SA) Country: Italy Teacher’s name: Ester Gasparro email estergas89@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Giada, Laura, Pasquale, Ludovica, Giantonio, Anna 1, Anna 2, Antonella, Vittoria, Giuseppe, Primavera, Domenico, Gianluca, Pietro, Benedetta Age of students: 12

The Legend of Leucosia The small island of Licosa is placed in the Gulf of Salerno, in front of Punta Licosa. Its names come from the Greek Leucosia and means "white". According to the legend, the small island takes its name from the mermaid Leucosia.

Leucosia, every night swam to the windows of the castle, to see her beloved Prince, who before going to bed, looked at the moon from his window, plunging into his thoughts. Leucosia, hopeless in love, watched admired at him.

Leucosia suffered because she knew that the Prince did not know about her and because she did not have the legs to walk to her beloved.

A day, Leucosia noticed some bustle around the castle and she understood from the Prince's eyes that he had fallen in love and that he was going to get married.

Leucosia attended the wedding from afar, but the Prince seemed really in love with his bride.

That night Leucosia swam again to the Prince's castle and saw him at the window while he was showing her bride the sea around Licosa.

The heart of the mermaid could not bear such a pain. She swam in the silent night towards the small island opposite the Castle and killed herself with a piece of rock as a knife.

Her last thought was for the man she had so much and vainly loved.

Still today, the fishermen who sail around the island say that it is sometimes possible to hear the mermaid Leucosia singing her sad and harmonious song.

Name of school: I.I.S.” don L. Milani”- Gragnano Country: Italy Teacher’s name: Antonietta Calò email: tonia.calo@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Class IALS

The legend of the Siren Parthenope Once upon a time there were three mermaids who were wonderful musicians: Ligia, Leucosia and Parthenope; they enchanted sailors and seamen sailing next to the Sorrento coast to kill and eat them. But Odysseus, famous for his curiosity and cunning, since he wanted to listen to the sirens’ songs, devised a stratagem. He ordered his crew to put wax plugs in their ears after tying himself to the mast so that he could hear the marvellous song of the three sirens without destroying his ship against the rocks. In this way he managed to listen to their melodious song and to let the ship pass unharmed. For the shame the Sirens committed suicide by drifting into the sea. Parthenope’s body was carried by the sea currents among the rocks of Megaride and from her smithereens the landscape of Naples was born.

There today the famous Castel dell’ Ovo stands

Recreation Name of school: 10th Helioupolis Primary School Country: Greece Teacher’s name: Natalia Tzitzi email: nataliatzi949@gmail.com The 3rd Graders (aged 9) dramatized the "Legend of the Siren Parthenope".

The story was contributed by Class IALS of the I.I.S. 'DON MILANI' MONTICHIARI (BS), Italy Pupils: Argie, Angel, Alina, Catherine, Chris, Cleopatra, Dennis, Elpidoforos, Ellie, Elenore, Filio, George, Nickie, Constantina, Annalena, John, Hector, Marilia, Marisa, Marcos, Stella, Mike, Billy, Spyros, Stergios, Sotiris, Theo, Elisabeth, Raphaela, Tony, Ven, Mariangela, Vicky.

For this purpose, we created this video

Name of school: VII LO im. Juliusza Słowackiego in Warsaw County: Poland Teacher’s name: Małgorzata Malczyk email: malczykm@interia.eu Name of students who took part: Kasia, and Franek Age of students: 17

The Legend of the Siren Parthenope (a different ending) This really frustrated the sirens, especially Parthenope. Her anger led to a number of unfortunate events. Firstly, she changed the frequency of her voice to the highest level and because of that even the earplugs couldn’t prevent the sailors from hearing her voice. Their eardrums literally exploded. Then, to destroy the ship, she called – by echolocation - three whales. The animals sank the ship and the crew drowned. The sirens laughed and kept on seducing sailors until the end of their lives.

Myths, legends and Stories from Macedonia 1. Legend of Dojran Lake 2. Prespa Legends

Name of school: SOU “Gjorche Petrov” -Prilep Country: Macedonia Teacher’s name: Zdravka Najdoska email: zdravkanajdoskapp67@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Aleksandra, Angela, Durata, Almira, Jana, Marija, Martina, Marija Age of students: 17, 18

Legend of Dojran Lake In the city of Polina there was a very beautiful girl named Dojrana. She was tall with black eyes and a slender put. Every night Dojrana and her friends came to the fountain in the valley east of the city.

One evening when Dojrana went to the water with her friends, the boy came to the tap when she was in love, the beautiful Labin. While Dojran and Labin talked about their love affections, Dojran's friends filled the dishes with cold water and headed towards the house. Dojrana and Labin stayed alone.

They stayed for a long time. When they saw that the friends left and left alone, she became very confused, so she quickly filled her vessels with water and hurried to reach her friends.

It was night and she was afraid to go home alone. In that rush Dojrana forgot the fountain open. The great amount of water from the tap flowed all night, and the next day the people looked at it with wonder that the entire valley was filled with water and instead of a nice grassy field, a lake was created.

According to the name of the beautiful Dojrana lake that was created, it was named Dojran Lake, and the city of Dojran.

Name of school: OOU Petar Pop Arsov Country: FYRMacedonia Teacher’s name: Olgica Bajaldzieva email: b_olgica@yahoo.com Name of students who took part: IVA Age of students: 14

PRESPA LEGENDS Among the mountains Petrino, Galichica Suva Gora, Pelister and Bigla Baba extends the beautiful and fertile valley of Prespa centered generous nature to make beautiful, created two lakes rich in fish - two weird mirrors in which centuries are reflected the opposing heights and who happily slipping sun.Not far away from the lake on the road Bitola-Ohrid situated beautiful city of Resen, natural, political, cultural and economic center of Prespa, which in its bosom keep the glory and majesty of Samoil epoch and dear legends bogomils.

In one legend says that King Samoil had a daughter named Prespana that after the death of his father lived in the coastal village of Tsarev Dvor. Her beauty, wisdom and courage were famous for it heard a Byzantine courtier, and according to some indicates it was the King Vasilije. He decided to ask for the hand of Prespana and the whole entourage came to her. Not wishing to become the wife of the opponent of her deceased father, she killed herself by drowning into the lake that it got its name.

Contrast to other parts of Macedonia, folk costume in Prespa is predominantly black. Among the people saying that here in the past worn a white dress, but she was replaced by black after the tragic event of the blindness of Samuil soldiers.

Myths, legends and stories from Poland 1. The Wawel Dragon 1a. Video 1b. Different ending 2. The pilgrimages of the Kashubians 3. Legend about the Prince Sobieslaw 4. Legend about King Popiel 5. Why Baltic Sea is salty 6. The legend of Bazylieszek 7. Creation of the World 8. The Gold Duck 8a. Different ending 8b. Drawing with comics 8c. Recreation 8d. Images to narrate the story 9. The Devil’s pond at Godki Village 10.King Popiel and Mice 10a. Drawing 11.Legend about Master Twardowski 12.Legend about two brothers who built St. Mary’s Church in Cracow

Name of school: Szkoła Podstawowa nr 2 w Rawie Mazowieckiej Country: Poland Teacher’s name: Anna Siudzińska email: anna.siudzinska@op.pl Name of students who took part: Natalia, Natalia (other girl), Nadia, Maja, Oliwia, Piotr, Marcel, Amelia, Karolina, Karolina (other girl), Weronika, Zuzanna, Zuzanna (other girl), Blanka, Martyna Age of students: 10

THE WAWEL DRAGON LONG, LONG AGO WHEN WOODS FULL OF WILD BEASTS EXTENDED TO THE BANKS OF THE VISTULA RIVER KING KRAK BUILT A CASTLE ON WAWEL HILL. THEN HIS PEOPLE BUILT A CITY AT THE FOOT OF THE HILL. IT WAS NAMED KRAKOW – AFTER THE KING. ONE NIGHT THE CITY WAS STRUCK BY FEAR. THE TERRIBLE DRAGON CAME AND MADE HIS HOME IN A CAVE UNDER THE WAWEL HILL. HE ATE SHEEP, COWS

AND GOATS, SCARED THE

FARMERS SO MUCH THAT THEY DIDN'T LET THEIR ANIMALS GRAZE IN THE FIELD NEAR THE VISTULA RIVER. THE ROYAL COUNCIL ASSEMBLED AT WAWEL CASTLE TO FIND A WAY TO DEFEAT THE MONSTER. MANY BRAVE KNIGHTS HAD TRIED TO KILL THE DRAGON, BUT BEFORE THEY COULD GET CLOSE ENOUGH TO HIM, HE BLEW FIRE ON THEM. PEOPLE OF KRAKÓW HAD NO HOPE. BUT ONE DAY A YOUNG SHOEMAKER WENT TO THE KING AND SAID: - I HAVE AN IDEA HOW TO DO AWAY WITH THE DRAGON! THE KING KRAK LISTEND TO BOY AND SAID: - YOU ARE VERY CLEVER AND BRIGHT BOY! EVERYONE HAVE TO LISTEN TO THIS BOY! YOU ARE TO DO EVERYTHING HE TELLS YOU TO. THE BOY TOOK A SKIN OF A SHEEP FROM THE BUTCHER AND SOME SULPHUR

FROM A MINER. THEN HE STUFFED SHEEP’S SKIN WITH THE POWDERED SULPHUR AND THEN SEWED THE SHEEP UP. THE STUFFED SHEEP LOOKED LIKE THE REAL ONE. HE PUT THE SHEEP BY THE DRAGON'S CAVE AND WAITED BEHIND A ROCK FOR THE DRAGON TO COME OUT. AFTER A WHILE, THE DRAGON CAME OUT FROM HIS CAVE. HE SAW THE ANIMAL AND GREEDILY ATE IT. THE SULPHUR CAUGHT FIRE AND THE MONSTER FELT HIS STOMACH BURNING. HE RAN TO THE RIVER AND DRANK SO MUCH WATER THAT HE FILLED UP LIKE A BALLOON, THEN HE EXPLODED AND DIED. AND THAT WAS HOW THE WAWEL DRAGON MET HIS END.

Name of school: CEIP Mesón do Vento Country: Spain Teacher’s name: Xela Cuñarro, Rocio Souto, Alejandro Varela email: xelacunarro@edu.xunta.es Name of students who took part: Ruben, Sabela, Iria, Pedro, Alba, Maria, Noa, Cristian, Juan Manuel, Mikel, Fabian, Brais, Natalia, Asuncion, Paula, Natalia and Lucas Age of students: 9-10

The legend of Wawel Dragon Video (click on the photo)

Name of school: 9th kindergarden of Perama Country: Greece Teacher’s name: Sofia Manopoulou email: manoposo@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Maria, Aggelianna, Alice, Nick, Theodor, Nikoleta, Rania, Konstantinos, Nikolas, Elisabeth,Konstantina, Amelia, Matiana, Nick, Olga, Konstantinos, kathrin, Irene, Kathrin, Ermal, Panagiotis, Antonia.

Age of students: 4-5 .

The Wawel Dragon (Different ending of the story) One day a shepherd was playing in his flute a sad melody. The dragon heard it and started approaching him. The shepherd continued playing the flute and the dragon like it a lot. The dragon approached the shepherd and laid down, in front of his legs, to hear him. The human was scared but continued playing.

So, people understood that the dragon doesn’t emit fires when it listen to music.

So, the knights hypnotized it and achieve to kill it.

And other ideas: * Amelia suggested burning the dragon while it is in his cave. * Another idea was given by Konstantinos who suggested digging a huge hole in order to trap it inside and make it die from starvation. * Alice though that they could knock down the cave and as a result rocks would crash down the dragon. * Thodoris suggested sealing the cave to trap it there or cover it with ice in order to freeze it. * Irene said that the beast could found a female dragon with a great heart.

They were going to create a family and never emit fire again. Another idea of the student was the return of the dragon’s friends who were going to take it with them, back to dragons’ land.

Name of your school: Zespół Szkół Gastronomiczno-Hotelarskich w Gdańsku Country: Poland Teacher’s name: Łukasz Kamiński email: fuchur666@wp.pl Name of students who took part: Wiktoria and Luiza Age of students: 16

The pilgrimages oft he Kashubians Over the centuries Kashubians came to Gdansk every year for the indulgence of Saint Dominic. Pilgrimages, prayers and masses annoyed the devil, who for a long time wondered how to spoil the pilgrimages of the Kashubians. He planned to block the Upland Gate with a large stone so that no one could leave. He managed to find the right stone. He bound it tightly, and on the great wings he rose into the air.

After some time, the boulder began to be heavy thanks to the prayers of the faithful who weakened him. When the devil was near Kościerzyna, he heard the cock crowing. Afraid of the sunrise, he was looking for a good hideout where he could spend the day. He flew a little further, threw a stone on the road and bore a small hole in the stone to hide. A boy who wandered the road in the morning saw the stone. He came to the city, where he talked with people about what to do with this stone. They realised that this was a sign from God, and they wanted to mark it in a special way. They thought about a cross. The cross was placed in the hole in which the devil hid. The devil could not stand the presence of the great cross. A different route around the boulder was designated. The boulder in which the Gdańsk devil has hidden still remains to this day.

Name of school: Zespół Szkół Gastronomiczno-Hotelarskich w Gdańsku Country: Poland Teacher’s name: Łukasz Kamiński email: fuchur666@wp.pl Name of students who took part: Natalia and Max Age of students: 16

Legend about the Prince Sobiesław Legend says that Prince Sobiesław got away from his team during the hunt.

Then a large boar attacked him unexpectedly. The wounded prince found a hermit who gave him shelter and healed the wounds. During the night spent in the hermitage, a luminous figure with an olive branch in her hand dreamed of Sobiesław and showed him the place where he should find the monastery. The prince kept his word and decided to be baptized because he was a pagan until now.

Name of school: Zespół Szkół Gastronomiczno-Hotelarskich w Gdańsku Country: Poland Teacher’s name: Łukasz Kamiński email: fuchur666@wp.pl Name of students who took part: Martyna and Patrycja Age of students: 16

“Legend about King Popiel” Popiel was a lord of Kruszwica and he was a really unjust ruler. People were very upset and they didn’t want him to rule. Popiel was scared about losing his authority and he poisoned his rivals. Then, put the corpses into Gopło lake. Some time later the corpses turned into mice. They went to Popiel’s castle and ate him alive. That was the end of that awful ruler.

Name of school: Zespół Szkół Gastronomiczno-Hotelarskich w Gdańsku Country: Poland Teacher’s name: Łukasz Kamiński email: fuchur666@wp.pl Name of students who took part: Magda and Marek Age of students: 16

“Why Baltic Sea is salty” Once upon a time at the Baltic Sea coast lived a man. He was rich and happy. He was a merchant. Everyone liked him but none knows about his Magic Mill. One day little boy came to him. He was dirty and tried. He asked that merchant for help.

During dinner little boy saw that man had a mystery thing. He figured out it’s a Magic Mill. After twiglight young boy stole it and run away by a ship. He didn't know how it works and the Magic Mill start working. The boy didn't know the magic spell to stop it. After few minutes there was too much salt on the boat so boat start drowning. The Magic Mill, the salt, the boat and the young boy rest on the bottom of Baltic Sea. The Mill still works so that is the reason why Baltic Sea is salty.

Name of your school: Zespół Szkół Gastronomiczno-Hotelarskich w Gdańsku Country: Poland Teacher’s name: Łukasz Kamiński email: fuchur666@wp.pl Name of students who took part: Agnieszka and Jan Age of students: 16

“The legend of Bazyliszek” A long time ago, in Warsaw lived a certain armorer named Melchior. It was said that the shields made by him are so perfectly polished that one can see through them, and during the battle the sun reflecting in them blinds enemies.

He has got two children. His son and daughter were the most important for him.

One day wandering artists came to their city. The children really wanted to go to the marketplace and see performances. Melchior agreed, but he told them not to approach the old tenement house on Krzywym Kole. People said that there was a haunting in the basement and people disappeared there without a trace.

The children were very happy with the performances and together with the people they escorted the artists to the inn where they stayed. Children suddenly noticed that one of the artists is moving away and going deep into the tenement house. They suddenly realized that they were where Dad would not let them go and warned. However, curiosity won and the children followed the artist.

In the basement it was dark but the children noticed a light on the wall at the end. The man walked on. The children suddenly heard his cry and a strange croak.

In front of him appeared a small dragon with the head of the cock and the tail of the snake. One look into the eyes of the monster caused that the man turned into stone. Frightened children hid behind the chests in the basement. There was no escape route, because the Bazyliszek, such monsters were called, nervously trotted around the whole room.

It was starting to get dark. Melchior was beginning to fear for his children. He decided to go to the marketplace and look for them. When he went to the marketplace he saw a crowd of people. People talked about an artist who did not listen to the inhabitants and went to the cellars to look for treasures. Some of the gathered also saw children who followed his lead.

Melchior when he heard that he knew at once that this is about his beloved children. He ran to the workshop, dressed his armor, and took the best shields. He returned to the crooked circle and went into the depths of the old tenement house.

When he was downstairs, just like his children, he saw a light glimmering against the wall. He sensed, however, that there was some danger, so he approached in that direction, covered by his shield. When the Bazyliszek jumped on the armorer, instead of the victim, he saw a shiny shield and reflected in it. The Bazyliszek’s terrible look worked immediately, turning the beast into stone. The monster has been defeated with its own weapon.

The children watched the whole event. Seeing that the beast turned into a stone, they jumped out of hiding and ran to their father, hugging him with joy.

When the family left the underground, the people gathered at the tenement house loudly cheered Melchior's courage. The story of defeating the basilisk quickly spread throughout Warsaw and is told to this day.

Name of r school: Zespół Szkół Gastronomiczno-Hotelarskich w Gdańsku Country: Poland Teacher’s name: Łukasz Kamiński email: fuchur666@wp.pl Name of students who took part: Maciej and Piotr Age of students: 16

“Creation of the world” At the beginning there was only sea and light. By the sea circled "Świętoklik".

He was lonely when he saw his shadow on the water; he decided to separate him from himself. Perun was born, who inhabited the world above the sea, and Weles diving in the great ocean. But they also got bored of this empty world; he managed to pull the sand above the surface of the water. Perun threw the sand to the surface of the water, and it began to grow. That's how the mountains came into being. The land created was small, which is why Weles again decided not to share his land with his brother and take everything for himself. When tired Perun fell asleep, Weles decided to push his brother into the sea. He took it gently in his hands, and as soon as he began to approach the shore, the ground began to grow at an alarming rate. Awoken, Perun got scared that he was missing the sky, so he sent a bee to investigate the matter. The bee flew to overhear Weles' conversation with the goat he had created. She relayed the message that the land has stopped growing, it is necessary to set the directions of the world. Perun curled a stick from the waves and set it four directions of the world. In this way, the land that we know is formed.

Name of school: VII LO im. Juliusza Słowackiego Country: Poland Teacher’s name: Małgorzata Malczyk email: malczykm@interia.eu Name of students who took part: Aleksandra, Agata, Helena Age of students: 17

The Gold Duck Once upon a time in Warsaw there lived a young shoemaker Lucek. He didn’t earn much, so he was very poor. Once he heard two old foremen talking about a gold duck that was supposed to live in the cellars of the Ostrogskis’ Castle at Tamka Street. “If you meet her, she can make you rich”, one of them said. “Many men tried but they all got lost in the dungeons and were never seen again”, said the other. Hearing those words, Lucek immediately headed for the Castle. He quickly found the entrance to the dark dungeons. He was walking along the labyrinth of corridors and thought he’d got lost, but at the very moment the gold duck appeared swimming on a pond and she said “Hello Lucek! I’m going to make you rich, but, remember, you must not share your wealth with anyone. Here is the sack with coins of gold. Spend them all within one day.” Lucek grabbed the money and quickly left the dungeons. The next day he bought himself the most expensive clothes in town and a stallion on which he rode across the city to show off his wealth. He went to the most luxurious restaurant and ate the biggest meal ever. In the evening he went to the theatre. He tried really hard to spend all the money but just before midnight there was still one gold penny left in his pocket. On his way home, he saw a beggar asking for a donation. The boy gave him his last penny and suddenly the gold duck appeared in the form of a beautiful lady. “You have not followed my rules so you will be poor forever!” Lucek answered her, “Being rich doesn’t make you happy if you can’t share your wealth with others.” And he came back to his humble flat.

Name of school: Beylikdüzü American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Elham Salahi email: elham.m.salahi@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Kaan, Alican Age of students:12

The Gold Duck (Different ending) Once upon a time in Warsaw there lived a young shoemaker Lucek. He didn’t earn much, so he was very poor. Once he heard two old foremen talking about a gold duck that was supposed to live in the cellars of the Ostrogskis’ Castle at Tamka Street. “If you meet her, she can make you rich”, one of them said. “Many men tried but they all got lost in the dungeons and were never seen again”, said the other. Hearing those words, Lucek immediately headed for the Castle. He quickly found the entrance to the dark dungeons. He was walking along the labyrinth of corridors and thought he’d got lost, but at the very moment the gold duck appeared swimming on a pond and she said “Hello Lucek! I’m going to make you rich, but, remember, you must not share your wealth with anyone. Here is the sack with coins of gold. Spend them all within one day.” Lucek grabbed the money and quickly left the dungeons. He saw a beggar on the way home, he said he was very hungry and he asked for some money but Lucek thought that he shouldn’t share his money, because the gold duck asked him not to. The next day he spends all the coins he had and bought himself 1000 new ducks with the hope of finding another gold duck.

He was so lucky that he finally found a new gold duck. It laid one gold egg every day. He sold the eggs for a lot of money. He became so greedy that he wanted more gold eggs so he killed the gold duck. But he didn’t find any eggs in its stomach. But Lucek knew how to become rich again. He went to the castle again to ask the duck for more gold. When he arrived there, he didn’t see the gold duck at first but it came to him swimming after sometime. The duck was angry and told Lucek that when it said he shouldn’t share the money with anyone it was a test. The gold duck said having a lot of money had no meaning if you don’t share it with those who need your help and also you were so greedy that you killed another duck. Lueck became really sad and decided to share whatever he had with other friends.

Name of school: 5th Elementary School Agios Dimitrios Country: Greece Teacher’s name: Chryssi Trapali email: trapalichryssi@hotmail.com Name of student who took part: Penny Age of students: 9 We put drawings-like a comic-on the myth of Poland "The gold duck"

Name of school: Tafakkur lyceum Country: Azerbaijan Teacher’s name: Aliya Agayeva email: aliya-73@list.ru Name of students who took part: Sadiyeva Nigar, Shikhmuradova Aysel, Salimova Sabina Nuraliyeva Ayten

"The Gold Duck" (recreation) Once upon a time in Warsaw there lived a young shoemaker Lucek. He didn’t earn much, so he was very poor. Once he heard two old foremen talking about a gold duck that was supposed to live in the cellars of the Ostrogskis’ Castle at Tamka Street. “If you meet her, she can make you rich”, one of them said. “Many men tried but they all got lost in the dungeons and were never seen again”, said the other. Hearing those words, Lucek immediately headed for the Castle. He quickly found the entrance to the dark dungeons. He was walking along the labyrinth of corridors and thought he’d got lost, but at the very moment the gold duck appeared swimming on a pond and she said “Hello Lucek! I’m going to make you rich, but, remember, you must not share your wealth with anyone. Here is the sack with coins of gold. Spend them all within one day.” Lucek grabbed the money and quickly left the dungeons. The next day he bought himself the most expensive clothes in town bought a beautiful Palace and furnished it with modern furniture. He bought a stallion on which he rode across the city to show off his wealth. He went to the most luxurious restaurant and ate the biggest meal ever. In the evening he went to the theatre, after it he went to the spa salon and received all the suggested services. He wanted to marry one beautiful woman and live with her happily.

He tried really hard to spend all the money but just before midnight there was still one gold penny left in his pocket. On his way home, he saw a beggar asking for a donation. The boy gave him his last penny and suddenly the gold duck appeared in the form of a beautiful lady. “You have not followed my rules so you will be poor forever. If you don't break your word, I shall be your wife!” Lucek answered her, “Being rich doesn’t make you happy if you can’t share your wealth with others.”

Hearing these words. The gold duck thought that the boy wasn't greedy as previous men, that he was kind and generous. She changed into a beautiful lady forever and became the wife of the boy. They lived happily and always were

generous and helped people who were in need and also always shared everything with their friends.

Name of school: ISTITUTO COMPRENSIVO "ANNA MOLINARO" MONTEFIASCONE (VT) Country: ITALY Teacher's name: Sara Dionisi Name of students who took part: Federico, Daniele, Alessio, Giulio, Giorgia, Aleks, Aurora F. , Mattia, Francesca, Giovanni B., Aurora O., Elisa, Leo, Giovanni C., Giulia, Veronica, Maristella, Giada , Thomas.

Age of students: 11

They created images to narrate a story and changed the end of THE GOLD DUCK

Once upon a time in Warsaw there was a poor shoemaker, Lucek, who went in search of a gold duck in the cellars of the Ostrogskis’ Castle at Tamka Street

He found the golden duck in the labyrint of corridors where other people got lost before him.

Lucek saw the gold duck that said : Hello Lucek! I’m going to make you rich, but, remember, you must not share your wealth with anyone.

“Here is the sack with coins of gold. Spend them all within one day.” Lucek grabbed the money and quickly left the dungeons.

The next day he bought himself the most expensive clothes in town. He bought a stallion on which he rode across the city to show off his wealth

He tried really hard to spend all the money but just before midnight there was still one gold penny left in his pocket. On his way home he saw a beggar asking for a donation

The boy gave him his last penny and suddenly the gold duck appeared in the form of a beautiful lady. “You have not followed my rules but you have showed me you have a gold heart so I'll reward you: YOU WILL BE RICH FOREVER”

Name of school: VII LO im. Juliusza Słowackiego Country: Poland Teacher’s name: Małgorzata Malczyk email: malczykm@interia.eu Name of students who took part: Kasia, Bernard, Franek, Mikołaj Age of students: 17

The Devil’s Pond at Godki Village At Godki village in the Mazurian Lake District there lived a villager who wanted to be rich. He made a pact with the devil. In exchange for his soul he wanted the devil to meet his three impossible demands. The first one was to plough his field in one night. The devil completed the task without any problems. The next task was to build a castle of diamonds. The devil did it without any delay. The villager got really frightened because he was beginning to understand that he would not be able to outwit the devil and his soul will be doomed. In despair he gave the devil the last task – take a huge boulder from Silesia and carry it all the way to the Baltic Sea. The devil took the rock and flew in the air. When he was flying over the Lake District the huge rock slipped out of his hands and landed in the forest, making a deep hole in the ground. Now in this place there’s a pond. At its bottom there lies a big boulder.

Drawing by Mikołaj

Name of school: VII LO im. Juliusza Słowackiego Country: Poland Teacher’s name: Małgorzata Malczyk email: malczykm@interia.eu Name of students who took part: Kasia, Sebastian, Paweł, Piotr Age of students: 17

King Popiel and Mice Once upon a time there lived a cruel king Popiel with his wicked wife Gertrude.

She encouraged him to kill the Elders’ Council because they did not agree with the royal couple. The king went to the sorcerer to ask about his future. The wise man told him to beware of the mice. Popiel didn’t take the divination seriously. He murdered the whole council. Before the men died they cursed the king’s whole line.

After a short time, thousands of mice appeared and ate all the supplies in the kingdom. Terrified, Popiel escaped to a tower that was built on a small island on Lake Gopło hoping that the mice would not chase him there, but the mice swam to the island, caught Popiel on top of the tower and ate him. Such was the murderer’s punishment.

Name of school: School: Beylikdüzü American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Numan Ustun email: Matthewakk@beylikduzuamerikankoleji.com Name of students who took part: Buşra, Selen Age of students: 12

King Popiel and Mice (Drawing creation) Once upon a time there lived a cruel king Popiel with his wicked wife Gertrude.

She encouraged him to kill the Elders’ Council because they did not agree with the royal couple. The king went to the sorcerer to ask about his future. The wise man told him to beware of the mice. Popiel didn’t take the divination seriously. He murdered the whole council. Before the men died they cursed the king’s whole line.

After a short time thousands of mice appeared and ate all the supplies in the kingdom. Terrified, Popiel escaped to a tower that was built on a small island on Lake Gopło hoping that the mice would not chase him there, but the mice swam to the island, caught Popiel on top of the tower and ate him. Such was the murderer’s punishment.

Name of school: VII LO im. Juliusza Słowackiego Country: Poland Teacher’s name: Małgorzata Malczyk email: malczykm@interia.eu Name of students who took part: Marianna, Borys Age of students: 17

Legend about Master Twardowski Once upon a time in Cracow there lived a nobleman called Twardowski. He sold his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge and magic. He made a condition with the devil that he would give up his soul only in Rome. After many years he once went to a tavern. While he was sitting and enjoying his meal and drink the devil appeared in front of Master Twardowski. He asked, “Do you know how this tavern is called?” “No, why?”, asked Twardowski. “Rome!!!”, shouted the devil and tried to catch the poor nobleman’s soul. Filled with regret and horror, Twardowski started praying fervently to St. Mary. She pitied him, rescued him from the devil’s hands and placed him on the Moon. To this day you can meet the unhappy man there.

Name of school: VII LO im. Juliusza Słowackiego Country: Poland Teacher’s name: Małgorzata Malczyk email: malczykm@interia.eu Name of students who took part: Gabi, Ola Age of students: 17

Legend about two brothers who built St. Mary’s Church in Cracow Once upon a time there were two skilful brothers who were building St. Mary’s Church in Cracow. They made a bet whose tower would be higher. The older one seemed to be the winner, so the younger one, blinded by envy and pride, took his brother’s life and built a higher tower. Tortured by pangs of conscience on the day of opening the church he showed up in the window of the higher tower holding a knife that he had used to kill his beloved brother. He confessed to murdering his brother and jumped out of the window.

Residents of Cracow hung the knife above the gate to the Cloth Halls (Sukiennice) and the visitors can still see it there.

By

Mach240390

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Praca

własna,

CC

BY

4.0,

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61100420

Myths, legends and stories from Portugal 1. The legend of S. Martinho 1a. Different ending 1b. Changed legend 2. Sain Martin’s day

Name of school: Manuel Cargaleiro High School Country: Portugal Teacher’s name: Fátima Veríssimo email: fatimaverissimo@esmcargaleiro.pt Name of student who took part: Telmo Age of student: 16

The legend of S. Martinho According to legend, on a cold, stormy autumn day, a Roman soldier, named Martinho, was riding on his horse when he found a beggar, full of hunger and cold.

The soldier, known for his generosity, took off his cloak and with his sword cut it in half, covering the beggar with one of the parts. Further on, he found another poor man in the cold and offered him the other half. Without a cloak, Martinho continued his journey in the cold and wind when, suddenly, as if by a miracle, the sky opened, pushing away the storm. The sun's rays began to warm the earth and the good weather lasted for about three days. Since then, every year, around November 11, these hot days have come to be known as "S. Martinho's Summer".

Name of school: VII LO im Juliusza Słowackiego, Warsaw Country: Poland Teacher’s name: Małgorzata Malczyk email: malczykm@interia.eu Name of student who took part: Mikołaj Age of student: 17

The legend of S. Martinho (a different ending) When Martinho had given away his cloak, he found himself in a wintry desert.

After a few days he saw a man running towards him. The man was fleeing from a giant blizzard. Martinho gave him his horse. Then the soldier was trudging without a horse and the blizzard caught him. He couldn’t deal with it and he died. The man who had given everything to the needy people paid for his generosity with his life.

Name of school: Zespół Szkół Gastronomiczno-Hotelarskich w Gdańsku Country: Poland Teacher’s name: Łukasz Kamiński email: fuchur666@wp.pl Name of students who took part: Luiza and Wiktoria Age of students: 16

THE LEGEND OF S. MARTINHO (changed) The legend of S. Martinho: The story of the legend, in the cold, stormy light of the day, a Roman soldier named Martinho, rode a horse, and was a beggar, full of hunger and cold. The soldier, known for his generosity, takes off his coat and sword, cuts it in half, covering the beggar with one of the parts. In a place that met various poor people in the cold and offered him and the other half. Without any sleep Martinho continued his journey on a frosty and windy day, when his horse fainted at a private moment, he fell. He did not want to overcome suffering, so he shortened suffering and killed him. Traveling further, all the cold and hungry encountered a boy who led him to a nearby kingdom. There he learned about the beautiful princess. He wanted to marry her, so he made an appointment with the king. The king let him marry his daughter, provided he had one coconut. Martinho, slightly surprised, agreed. He thought that if he brought more to the king, he would be happier. How he thought he did it. He brought him 12 coconuts. The king saw these coconuts and said he wanted one, not 12, so he would give his daughter a husband because he did not do what he said. So, a sad soldier came home and was killed with an arrow.

Name of school: Agrupamento de Escolas Patrício Prazeres, Lisbon Country: Portugal Teacher’s name: Ana Madalena Boléo Adragão Fernandes email: anamadalenaf.1972@gmail.com Name of students who took part: David Teixeira, Luana Coelho, Efrana Maisha Age of students: 11

Saint Martin’s day In Portugal, on November 11th, we celebrate Saint Martin’s day, we eat chestnuts and drink “jeropiga”, a kind of new wine. Here is the legend of São Martinho, very embedded in our culture.

It was the year 337, in the fourth century, and a hard and cold autumn was raging in Europe. Legend has it that a Gallic knight, named Martin, tried to return home when he found half-way through a storm, a beggar who begged him for alms.

The knight, who had nothing else with him, withdrew the mantle that warmed him from the back, cut him in half with his sword, and gave it to the beggar. At that moment, the storm disappeared and a radiant sun began to shine.

The miracle became known as "the summer of Saint Martin." Since then, by November's height, the harsh autumn time is gone, and the sun is immersed in the sky, as it was when the knight offered the cloak to the beggar.

It is because of this legend that every year we celebrate St. Martin's Day on November 11. The famous knight of history was a Roman army soldier who abandoned the war to become a Catholic monk and do good.

Saint Martin was one of the main religious to spread the Christian faith in Gaul (the present France) and has become one of the most popular saints in Europe! It is said that it protects the tailors, the soldiers and knights, the beggars and the wine producers!

Myths, legends and stories from Romania 1. The legend of Dracula 2. Palm Synday 3. Pages from History 4. Legend Trinket lad who offered to return the sun 5. Legend of the Ghiocel 6. Love’s day 7. The legend of Dochia and Trajan 6a. New ending 8. The last executioner 9. The legend of the Master Builder Manole 10.The legend of Master Manole 11.The Night Fairies 11a. Drawing creation 11b. Images to narrate the story 11c. Recreation: Manuel and the Fairy 12.The rainbow of words

Name of school: Școala Gimnazială Nr. 9 „Nicolae Orghidan” Brașov Country: Romania Teacher’s name: Cornelia Melcu email: corneliamelcu13@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Carla, Teo, Alex, Larisa, David, Mihai, Raul Age of students: 10-11

THE LEGEND OF DRACULA VLAD ȚEPEȘ was the king of Valachia in XVth century. His name was associated with Dracula because his father was a member of Dragons, a catholic knights order .

Vlad Țepeș remained in history for his cruelty in punishing thiefs and robbers- impalement.

Vlad Țepeș = Vlad the Impaler The most famous Transylvanian legend is about the Bran Castle which is well known as Dracula’s Castle.

The legend says Vlad lived in the castle but there aren’t proves about this.

Vlad Tepes was born in November or December 143, in the fortress of Sighisoara, Romania. Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler), was the ruler of Walachia at various times from 1456 to1462.

Firstly, her is an explanation for the name "Dracula;" "Dracul" in

Romanian

language,

means

"Dragon" so there is a connection between the Dragons order and "Dracul."

"Dracula,"

is

a

diminutive which means "the son of Dracul".

The legend says that in 1462, Vlad Dracula, a member of the Order of the Dragon and Vlad Tepes s father, when he was returning from a victory against the Turks to find his wife, Elisabeta, he received a terrible news: she had committed suicide after receiving a false report of his death. Enraged that his wife is now damned for committing suicide, Dracula desecrates his chapel and renounces God, declaring that he will rise from the grave to avenge Elisabeta with all the powers of darkness. In a fit of rage, he stabs the cross with his sword and drinks the blood which is pouring out of the cross. The name “Dragon” was transformed in “Dracula” because the evil drinks human blood.

There are many legends about Vlad Tepes

”Dracula”.

He

was

for

instance

particularly known throughout his land for his fierce insistence on honesty and order.

Almost any crime, from lying and stealing to killing,

could

be

punished by impalement.

When you say ,,Bran Castle” you say DRACULA but, do not forget: it is just a legend

Name of school: Liceul Tehnologic “Grigore C. Moisil” Targu Lapus Country: ROMANIA Teacher’s name: MOLDOVAN ADRIANA- CLAUDIA email. adi_m75@yahoo.com Name of students who took part: Patricia, Iza, Alina, Edi, Andra, Karla Age of students: 11-12

PALM

SUNDAY

The Sunday before the feast of Easter, Roman deity of flowers, Flora, over which Christians have overlapped the celebration of the Lord's Entrance into Jerusalem Palm Sunday is also called by the Romans.

The meaning of the old revival of nature, when blooming flowers, willow and fruit trees, have added new functions and meanings, linked to the cult of the elders and ancestors (name, cleaning graves and cemeteries, tombs of putting in willow branches, to invoke the spirits of the dead in acts of divination, etc.).

Willow branches, symbol of fertility and vegetation of spring, they go to church to be sanctified, adorn themselves, doors and windows, gird with them over the Middle, kept for treatment along the year, using the spells and incantations.

Snowdrops There is a legend that talks about an angel that commuting among stars and collecting on each star a flower. When he arrived on Earth and went broke and a flower. It is curious that flowers were asking was lucky on flower picking an Angel and took it with him. All were surprised when a bright Angel's tear fell on the broken stem of snowdrops and Angel him asked what reward he wants because he was broke. He asked lowly Snowdrop, the first flower that appears and blooms spring.

Name of school: Școala Gimnazială Nr. 4, Grădinița Dumbrava Minunată, Rm. Vâlcea Country: Romania Teachers names : Ispir Iuliana-Florentina and Vlad Alexandra-Anamaria The research was carried out together with the preschool parents: Sofia, Eva and Adelina

PAGES FROM HISTORY Valcea - namely a land made to lure the traveler by spectacular nature. The spiritual life is given generously, from entering cells or county old wooden churches, old schools that keep life in the past.

On Hill Cetăţuia (where the building is built on 2 January 1529), it is assassinated by the Neagoe and Dragan boyars - the ruler Radu de Afumaţi.

The amazing Church on Cetatuia hill, built in the past by voivode Radu de Afumati, surrounded by chili, was the main entrance of the underground passage that left from Cetatuia Hill to Fedeleşoiu, the gate of escape, in the old days, when the Ottoman Empire was a danger to citizens, flooded today by the Olt riverbed.

Citadel, which is a symbol of the city is a small fort built by Century XIV or XV century to guard the residence Oltean gentlemen, chair usual money and new bishoprics.

The church today, however, is rebuilt by Metropolitan Theodosius in the 17th century. The old legend says"For a long time, here was a fortress where Olea, the Emperor of the Tartars, ruled. And beyond, Negru Voda was the master in Cetatuia. As Olea was preparing for war with Negru Voda, he walked beside Olt. Here he sees a child writing on the sand << Olea makes pots and break them Negru Voda >>. That has upset Olea him and wanted to kill the child. But a magician stops him and tells him << Your Highness, here is a foreshadowing what you get Do not hurt the child. Black Voda will win >>”. (Hermitages and Churches in the Village", Priest Dominic N. Ionesa, Typography of the Capital, Bucharest 1931).

Bibliografie: 

Ghid turistic vâlcean.



Istoria cărţii vâlcene, sec.XVII-XVIII”, Costea Marinoiu, Ed. Scrisul

Românesc-Craiova, 1981

 Schituri şi biserici din sat”, Preot Dominic N. Ionesa, Tipografia Capitalei, Bucureşti 1931. Surse on-line

Name of school: GRĂDINIȚA CU PROGRAM PRELUNGIT NR. 5 SLATINA Country: ROMÂNIA Teacher’s name: DĂNCĂU IONELA SIMONA email: simina_dumitru2006@yahoo.com Age of students who took part: 5-6

Legend Trinket lad who offered to return the Sun Martisor is a symbol of spring’s return to life. In the beginning, it was represented by a coin, then turned into a small river stones painted white and red, strung on a thread.

Once the sun went down in a village, to dance, taking the face of a boy. A kite on the prowl and kidnapped the men, shut him up in prison. The world is saddened. The birds no longer sang, springs stop flowing, and children no longer laughing. No one dared to confront the dragon, but one day, a sturdy young man decided to go to save the sun. Many of Earth led him and gave of their powers to help him to overcome the kite and release the sun. Road's lasted three seasons: summer, autumn and winter. He found the dragon's castle and they fought. They clashed for days until the kite was shot down. Feeble and injured, he freed the sun. It rises in the sky cheering and rejoicing the world. A revived nature, people enjoyed, but not brave enough to see spring. Warm blood from wounds and flowed in the snow. As it melted, sprouted white flowers, snowdrops, harbingers of spring. Until the last drop of blood flowed young man in immaculate snow.

Since then, two young ciucuraşi intertwined: one white and one red. They offered girls that love or loved ones. Red means love for all that is beautiful, reminiscent of the color of blood Hale. White symbolizes purity health and the snowdrop, the first flower of spring.

1 March Romanians customary law children parents hand or neck one currency, so they have good luck all year and be healthy. Putting Trinket is usually before sunrise. He is given nowadays, mainly children, girls and women to protect their tenderness and sensitivity.

After 12 days of martisor worn, remove it and link to a fruitful, to make more fruit that year. They say that if the weather is nice, then we have a sunny spring.

Name of school: CENTRUL ȘCOLAR DE EDUCAȚIE INCLUZIVĂ BECLEAN Country: ROMÂNIA Teacher’s name: SILVEȘAN TATIANA email. tatianasilvesan@yahoo.com Name of students who took part: Paula, Denisa, Darius, Emilia, Mia, Ionuț Age of students: 10-12

LEGEND OF THE GHIOCEL It was once a Sun Ray. It was even the smallest face of the Sun. And because she was the youngest and most spoiled, her father let her go wherever she wanted her heart. One day the Sun Ray decided to walk in a garden. There was Heaven on the earth: flowers that were more colorful and fragrant, waving beneath the gentle gust of the warm wind in the spring.

-How about I choose a beautiful flower to get her in my hair? said the Sun Ray. And, as he was, he poured himself upon the garden, picked up a flower, and rose again in the air. All the flowers in the garden looked at the sky and began to murmur: -Have you seen her? She was beautiful? Did she have a gold dress? What flower has the princess chosen?

-Of course, she picked a rose," she said, a velvety and red rose, which the dew was glowing like diamonds in the sun.

-I think he was one of us," he murmured, "a yellow tulip, and her siblings were glad.

-Not that! a proud lily had cut them off. He was one of my brothers. Do not you see what beautiful and perfumed we are?

Even a small, but indeed splendid violet, claimed that the Sunshine had picked up a violet, not something else.

Only someone in the corner of the garden was crying. He was a tiny and tiny lady, whose trunks had been broken by the princess's gold dress train. As the Sunshine did not go too far, he heard it and it looked bad. She rolled on her golden cheeks a tear like a pearl, which fell on the ruptured tortoise of the snowdrop, healing it on time. But it was not just that. The Princess Sun Ray came near the snowmobile and said: -I'm sorry I made you suffer! What desire do you want me to do to fix my mistake?

-I do not want anything," said the snowman, leaving his handsome head down.

-Do not you want the beauty of the rose, the lily's perfume, the shine of the tulip? insisted the Sun Ray.

-No, I do not want them, but if you really want to give me a gift, let me take the first of all the flowers, under cold snow, and my perfume barely felt to make people to enjoy and know that spring came!

And that's how it was. The Sun Ray has kissed the spear and the spell was made. Then he disappeared into the sky where he had come from. Since then, the snowmobile is the first flower that smiles from snow patches every spring and everyone knows the bad weather is over.

Name of school: Scoala Gimnaziala “Inv. Radu Ion “Vadu-Parului, jud. Prahova Country: Romania Teacher’s name: Emilia Alexe email: star_emi2000@yahoo.com Name of students who took part: Bianca, Catalina, Robert, Clara, Gabriela Age of student: 13-14

Love’s Day In the countryside there is an old tradition with girls and boys going into the woods to pick flowers. When they return home, the tradition says that boys were running after girls to kiss them. If the girl likes the boy she lets him kiss her.

There is a saying in Romania that makes a lot of sense regarding this: "Dragobete kisses the girls." Romania celebrates Love Day on 24th of February –we call it “Dragobete’s Day“. Dragobete was the son of Baba Dochia, the main character in the pagan myth related to spring arrival and the end of the harsh winter. Due to his endless kindness he was chosen – according to some sources, by Virgin Mary – to be the Guardian of Love.

The day is particularly known as "the day when the birds are betrothed". It is around this time that the birds begin to build their nests and mate. On this day, considered locally the first day of spring, boys and girls gather vernal flowers and sing together. Maidens used to collect the snow that lay on the ground in many villages and then melt it, using the water in magic potions throughout the rest of the year. Those who take part in Dragobete customs are supposed to be protected from illness, especially fevers, for the rest of the year. If the weather allows, girls and boys pick snowdrops or other early spring plants for the person they are courting. In Romania, Dragobete is known as a day for lovers.

Name of the school: Colegiul Naţional “Avram Iancu”Ștei Country: Romania Teacher’s name: Cornelia Frai email: nelifrai@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Ariana, Bianca, Adriana, Cristina, Diana, Sorana, Andreea Age: 17-18

The legend of Dochia and Traian Considered by George Calinescu the myth of ethnogenesis, the folkloric legend of Dochia and Traian represents recognition of our cultural and national heritage ever since its very beginning. The origins of Romania descend from the cohabitation of the native Dacians, which were led by Decebal, and the Roman colonists.

According to the legend, Dochia was an amazingly beautiful woman that charmed everyone around her with her unlimited source of bravery. This girl was the daughter of Decebal and the future queen of Dacia. Traian, the emperor of Roman Empire, noticed Dochia when she was fighting against his soldiers and he was truly amazed by how fierce Dochia was, unlike another woman. In that time, when Dacia and the Roman Empire were at war, a love between them two was impossible. Dochia was going to become the leader of her nation and nothing could take her away form her responsibilities, but Traian wanted with any price to take her with him.

One night, Dochia took her twenty sheep that she took care of and went to hide in the mountains. Unfortunately, Traian followed her and tried to abduct her. Scared as she was, Dochia started praying to her God Zamolxis to turn her into a block of stone so she would not have to leave Sarmisegetuza, her home.

Dochia and Traian in the mountains

Sarmisegetuza The block of stone of Dochia and her sheep

Name of the school: Colegiul Naţional “Avram Iancu”Ștei Country: Romania Teacher’s name: Cornelia Frai email: nelifrai@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Ariana, Bianca, Adriana, Cristina, Diana, Sorana, Andreea Age: 17-18

The legend of Dochia and Traian

The new ending Traian never forgave himself for what he had done and every night he went and climbed the mountain, crying upon the stone hall begging Dochia to come back to life promising her that he will go and will not take her. He cried so much that a river started flowing from the mountain causing the stone to break and bring her back to her human form. People say that the river is the infinite love that was between the two. A love that was never meant to be shared, but it was real. But when Dochia returned nothing was the same because she was a block of stone for over a thousand years. Because she was freed with the tears of the man that loved her, she became immortal and ran to hid herself in the forest where her home once was, where she still lives nowadays.

Name of the school: Colegiul Tehnic "Traian Vuia" Country: Romania Teacher: Urs Marcela email: urs.marcela@yahoo.com Name of student who took part: Mădălin Age of student: 18

The last executioner One of the legends that continues to amaze the inhabitants of the city of Iași is related to the bloody past of this place located on seven hills. Gavril Buzatu, the man who took the lives of those who dared to stand up against the government, is still mentioned in the discussions about the history of Iași.

The images that portray him are rare. One of Gavril’s few representations is right in the files of the State Archives of Iasi.

The man was taken out of prison to kill those who committed wrongdoings, becoming the last executioner of Moldova. His image, coming out of his cell to begin his new life, is widely depicted by historian Eugen Șendrea. “An unexpected look like a mountain of man, whose head was far above the threshold of a door, a terrible smell, an ugly face, small eyes, long and dirty hair and a fierce wolf like countenance. Strange large nails looked like the claws of a bear, “says Eugen.

Besides an old image in the National Archives in Iași, the only testimony of the passing of the last executioner of Moldova remains the Red Manta, where Gavril Buzatu is said to have lived. The former mansion, a frightening building, gathered around it a lot of stories about ghosts that are said to be the souls of those killed by the ruthless executioner.

Name of the school: Colegiul Tehnic "Traian Vuia" Country: Romania Teacher: Urs Marcela email: urs.marcela@yahoo.com Name of student who took part: Georgiana Age of student: 15

The legend of The Master Builder Manole I would like to start by telling you a famous and mythical Romanian legend, the legend of the master builder called Manole.

The legend (also known as the folk poem

Monastirea

Monastery

on

the

Argeșului Argeș

–

the

River),

the

masterpiece of the Romanian folk culture, remains irrevocably linked to the beautiful Curtea de Argeș Monastery, founded by the 16th century Neagoe Basarab Voivode.

Over time, the legend has become one of our fundamental myths, the myth of sacrifice for creation, whose message is that nothing can withstand time without a human sacrifice. This myth, alongside with others defines the spiritual profile of the Romanian people, the way they relate and give meaning to the fundamental moments of existence.

An unusual fact for a folk creation, such as the legend Builder brings

of

the

Master

Manole

(which imaginary

explanations for real facts), is that the place where Ana, Manole’ s wife was built, is inscribed on the southern

wall of the monastery as a kind of proof. The legend of the Master Builder Manole knows over 200 variants, but in all, the "story" is the same: Negru-Vodă Voivode (in history, Neagoe Basarab) alongside "nine great masons and builders and with Manole, ten” are looking for a special place for the monastery. They want to built a unique monastery, as no one before. The work of the craftsmen is, however, in vain because everything that is built during the day, crumbled during the night. In a dream, Manole is revealed with the necessity of sacrificing the first woman who will come to bring dishes "to her husband or brother". Ana, Manole’s wife, is the one who arrives first, and although the master builder asks God to stop her, nothing can stop her sacrifice. Ana’s building within the walls of the monastery is the most dramatic moment of the legend. After the monastery’s completion Negru-Vodă Voivode wanted to prevent the craftsmen from building a much more beautiful monastery, so he left them stranded on the roof. In order to escape the craftsmen built some ”artificial wings” made of light shingles. But their attempt is in vain as they all die. In the place where Manole’s flight broke, a fountain emerged, Manole’s fountain.

The legend of the Master Builder Manole has remained one of the most famous, but also the most valuable Romanian legend. It is really moving, through the message of the lyrics, through the emotion it causes, and especially through the fact that it is the only one that associates the sacrifice not only with the durability of the construction but also with its artistic value. The monastery and the fountain can be interpreted as metaphors of the two souls (Manole’s and Ana’s) linked, by death, to eternity. The Monastery of Argeș and the legend of the Master Builder Manole are so united in the same destiny that we could not talk about one, without remembering the other. They are like open doors to the essence of Romanian spirituality. It is never too late to discover them.

Name of the school: Colegiul Tehnic "Traian Vuia" Country: Romania Teacher: Urs Marcela email: urs.marcela@yahoo.com Name of student who took part: Cătălina Age of student: 15

The Legend of Master Manole The Romanian folklore is full of amazing myths and legends that you can quickly get into. One of the most popular and interesting legends is The Legend of Master Manole.

Master Manole is the main character of the ballad named “Monastery of Argeș”. According to the legend, Manole is the one who built “Curtea de Argeș Monastery”. He is portrayed as a character

with

heroic

traits of character.

and

unusual

There are over

200 versions of this ballad, but all of them show something similar: the scene in which Manole built in his wife Ana into a wall. During the daytime, the monastery was built up, but during the night time it fell down into pieces. In a dream Manole is told to bring a sacrifice so the monastery would not fall down into pieces every night.

The most well-known version of this ballad is the poem written by the famous Romanian writer Vasile Alecsandri. In the poem entitled “Master Manole“, he describes the scene in which Manole built in Ana with so much passion and commitment. The words and expressions used in the poem are so emotional and hearty that you can really imagine Ana screaming after his husband’s help until her final breath. The poem ends with Manole regretting his deed, falling from the Roof of the monastery and dying as well.

This legend is one of the most renowned legends in the Romanian folklore alongside with many other beautiful legends. The Legend of Master Manole has not died to this day, with grandparents telling the legend to their grandchildren with joy and nostalgia, people still talking about it and schools still lecturing on it.

Name of the school: Colegiul Tehnic "Traian Vuia" Country: Romania Teacher: Urs Marcela email: urs.marcela@yahoo.com Name of student who took part: Ionatan Age of student: 17

The Night Fairies According to an old Romanian legend that dates back to ancient times, each year, on the 24th of June around the summer solstice, the people celebrate an event which is commonly known as ’’The time of the fairies’’. It is believed that the Solstice and Equinox give birth to mythical creatures, unlock forgotten secrets and ancient tales detailing acts of divination and prophecies. This is the time when the gates of the Magical Realm open for a short period of time.

After the Summer Solstice, the fairies come into the realm of the people bringing with them the power of love and the warmest day of the year. The legend has it that the fairies are beautiful women, nocturnal divinities hidden in the forest, in places where the light of the sun and people cannot enter. The fairies are believed to be gentle and kind. They live together in groups, hidden from the sight of humans, and only show themselves during the night of the 23th to 24th of June, that is the time when they can enter the realm of humans from their magical domain.

During this time, they spend their time floating in the air, dancing together in the meadows and on riverbanks, they help the wheat grow, they intensify the smell of the flowers, they grow the strength of the trees and increase the healing powers of the plants. Also, they protect the children from sickness, cast away bad weather, enrich the soil and improve the health of all creatures.

However, if the people behaved badly during the year and they showed disrespect towards one another and to nature, the fairies punish humans with sickness, they take away the fertility of the lands, they take away the healing powers of the plants and the strength of animals which are in the possession of humans. Despite all this, the fairies are loved rather than feared, and people sometimes call them ’’The Queens of the Harvest’’.

During the night of the 23th of June, the sky opens for those who know how and where to look, unlocking secrets and comforting people by giving them hope and filling their hearts with love. It is the time of the year when the magical world communicates with the world of the humans, creating a powerful energetic connection. It is the night in which to those who truly love each other, good fortune will cross their path one day. It is also believed that during this particular night, the animals speak like humans and it is the only time when the fern grows flowers, a plant that never grows flowers only during this time, and the person who finds this flower can unlock many secrets

and

location

of

find

the

hidden

treasures.

It

is

a

celebration

characterized by bounty and happiness, the time when people come together to enjoy nature together and help each other, it is legend turned to reality.

Name of school: Beylikdüzü American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Numan Ustun email: Matthewakk@beylikduzuamerikankoleji.com Name of students who took part: Gokçe Naz, Zeynep, Elif Age of students: 12

The Night Fairies (Drawing creation) According to an old Romanian legend that dates back to ancient times, each year, on the 24th of June around the summer solstice, the people celebrate an event which is commonly known as ’’The time of the fairies’’. It is believed that the Solstice and Equinox give birth to mythical creatures, unlock forgotten secrets and ancient tales detailing acts of divination and prophecies. This is the time when the gates of the Magical Realm open

for

a

short

period of time.

After

the

Summer Solstice, the fairies come into the realm of the people bringing

with

them

the power of love and the warmest day of the year. The legend has it that the fairies are beautiful women, nocturnal divinities hidden in the forest, in places where the light of the sun and people cannot enter. The fairies are believed to be gentle and kind. They live together in groups, hidden from the sight of humans, and only show themselves during the night of the 23th to 24th of June, that is the time when they can enter the realm of humans from their magical domain.

During this time, they spend their time floating in the air, dancing together in the meadows and on riverbanks, they help the wheat grow, they intensify the smell of the flowers, they grow the strength of the trees and increase the healing powers of the plants. Also, they protect the children from sickness, cast away bad weather, enrich the soil and improve the health of all creatures.

However, if the people behaved badlyduring the year and they showed disrespect towards one another and to nature, the fairies punish humans with sickness, they take away the fertility of the lands, they take away the healing powers of the plants and the strength of animals which are in the possession of humans. Despite all this, the fairies are loved rather than feared, and people sometimes call them ’’The Queens of the Harvest’’.

During the night of the 23th of June, the sky opens for those who know how and where to look, unlocking secrets and comforting people by giving them hope and filling their hearts with love. It is the time of theyear when the magical world communicates with the world of the humans, creating a powerful energetic connection. It is the night in which to those who truly love each other, good fortune will cross their path one day. It is also believed that during this particular night, the animals speak like humans and it is the only time when the fern grows flowers, a plant that never grows flowers only during this time, and the person who finds this flower can unlock many secrets and find the location of hidden treasures.

It is a celebration characterized by bounty and happiness, the time when people come together to enjoy nature together and help each other, it is legend turned to reality.

Name of school: Szkoła Podstawowa nr 2 w Rawie Mazowieckiej Country: Poland Teacher’s name: Anna Siudzińska email: anna.siudzinska@op.pl Name of students who took part: Natalia, Natalia (other girl), Nadia, Maja, Piotr, Amelia, Karolina, Weronika, Blanka, Martyna Age of students: 10

We chose to create still images to narrate the story „Night Fairies” from Romania.

Name of school: Neos Skopos Senior High School Country: Greece Teacher’s name: Thekla Kafkia email: thekafkia@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Zoe, Marina, Maria, Konstantina, Klea, Dimitris, Christos, Estela, Marie, Anna, Sofia, Athanasia, Christina, Maria, Rafaela, Anatoly, Konstantinas, Vaggelis, Aggelos, Kristi, Xristi, Nerantzis, Age of students: 16 A story written collectively by the 2nd grade of Neos Skopos Senior High School, Greece. Teacher: Thekla Kafkia, inspired by the story “The Night Fairies” posted by Colegiul Tehnic "Traian Vuia", Romania. Teacher: Urs Marcela.

MANUEL AND THE FAIRY Manuel is a tall 20 years old boy, with dark curly hair and big green eyes. He is very kind and friendly. He has a little sister. Her name is Alice and she is very beautiful. But, they are orphans. They lost their parents in a car accident. Now, they live in an abandoned house in Romania. Here is how the story goes.

It is 23th June. All Romanians will celebrate ’’The time of the fairies’ tomorrow’. But not Manuel. He is desperate. Alice is very sick with pneumonia.

During the night of the 23th, he goes for a walk to get some fresh air but gets lost in the forest. He sits on a rock and starts crying. And then, he sees a dazzling light in the lake! He gets closer and sees the fairies.

They are floating in the air dancing together in the meadows and on the riverbanks. When they see him, they float away really fast. But not all of them!

One fairy approaches him. She is very beautiful with very long straight blonde hair and blue expressive eyes. She asks him why he is crying. He tells her all about his troubles. She is moved. She tells him to take her home. She can do magic. She can make his sister well again.

She helps him find his way home. The fairy approaches Alice who is barely breathing. The fairy says some strange rhymes, chants her spells and, all of a sudden, Alice gets up. She isn’t sick anymore!

Manuel thanks the fairy who dissolves in the air. Poof! She’s gone!

When the fairy arrives back at the forest, she realises something really disturbing. She is in love with Manuel!!!

But alas! When a fairy falls in love with people, she loses her wings and wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be fairy any more. But she doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care. She loves him so bad and wants to live with him. She wants a human life.

So, she gets back to find him. She meets him in the alley just outside his home.

Hurray! He has the same feelings. He loves her, too. She kisses him and at the same moments her wings are lost forever. She becomes human.

The following year they get married. Alice leads a healthy life living with them. They are all happy. And live happily ever after.

Name of school: Școala Gimnazială Nr. 4, Grădinița Dumbrava Minunată, Rm. Vâlcea Country: România Teachers’ names: Ispir Iuliana and Vlad Alexandra Group Piticii Năzdrăvani

The Rainbow of Words Once upon a bear who could not speak. She liked honey very much, but because she did not know how to pronounce the words correctly, the bees never gave her honey, although he always came to the hive to ask. A Queen Bee â advised the bear to look for Blackbird, who will teach him to speak. Following the Queen of Bee's advice, the bear searched for Blackbird and thus, taking lessons from her, she soon learned to speak. Going to the Hive, the bear asked the bees for beautiful honey, and, understanding what he wanted, they gave him a large jar of honey.

Myths, legends and stories from Slovenia 1. MOKRONOŽCI A. K. A. “WETFEETERS“

Name of your school: OSNOVNA ŠOLA MOKRONOG Country: SLOVENIA Teacher's name: CILKA ZUPANČIČ email: CILKA.ZUPANCIC @GMAIL.COM Name of students who took part: Filip Age of student: 13

MOKRONOŽCI A. K. A. “WETFEETERS“ Mokronog got its name after little dwarfs called Mokronožci (literal translation: Wetfeeters).

Tone Pavček, a well-known Slovenian poet wrote that they are in today's (ugly) times of electric witches, dirty rivers, all the trash and other problems on the world that there can exist cute and nice things. But only if you have a pinch of imagination, or if we trust into the old test of the magi cof our childish grandmas and grown-up kids. That's what it's like to believe into supernatural meaning that there are gnomes in the world. They stand here, right in front of your noses and tricking you, and laughing at you with their tiny wicked eyes. And then someone comes and writes these stories of these little men, listens to them carefully and that's how we got the name of this little village. Mokronog. After men with wet feet.

Myths, legends and stories from Spain 1. The punished bee 1a.Dramatize the story and create a video 1b. Different ending 2. The legend of Ardemil 2a. Different ending

Name of school: Nuestra Señora de las Nieves Country: Spain Teacher’s name: Paula Carranza email: paulamaestranteacher@hotmail.com Name of students who took part: Adam, Adrián, Alex, Ana, Andrés, Daniela, Daniela, Dorisa, Ethan, Ian, Inés, Inés, Irene, JuanCarlos, Lucía, Lucía, Martina, Martín, Paula, Paula, Vicente, Ávaro Age of students: 4-5

"The punished bee" After God had finished the animal’s creation and had decided what was their own place in the Earth, he still wanted to give them a last gift. He called them all together and told: -I gave you skills and body according to what I consider is good for the live you are going to have from now on, but I want to concede you a last wish you may have. Ask me and I will give it to you: Those words made all the animals happy and all of them asked for something.

The lion asked for a thicken hair, the rabbit asked for a bigger ears, the bear asked for keeping sleeping the whole Winter, the dog asked to be human’s friend, the giraffe asked to be taller, the canary asked to sing extraordinary.

God gave it to them and when he was about to leave... the bee buzzed angry.

-My Lord, I still did not ask for anything.

-And what else do you need, bee? I provided you with amazing eyes, you can see all the colours, you can fly, you can understand your mates and create the sweetest honey but if you think you still miss something i will give it to you.

-What I want is that men do not be able to take what I produce. I do not want they take my honey. I wish you dotate me with a tool to harm who wants steal me.

-Bee, the honey will be enough to everybody. You will have excess to share it.

-But my Lord, you have said you will give us the last wish and I really want to defend my honey.

-Conceded –Says God – but as punishment for the bad intention you have shown, when you sting your stinger in some living-being you will die.

And that is what happens since then. (Spanish tale).

Name of school: Beylikdüzü American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Maria Yiğit email: mariayigit82@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Zümrut, Irmak, Şimay, Yağmur

The punished bee (Dramatize the story and create a video) (click on the photos)

Name of school: 6th Kindergarten school of Volos Country: Greece Teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name: Sophia Tsigara email: sotsigara@gmail.com

Spanish Tale: The punished bee (different ending) The bee buzzed angrily and went back to her cell. She didn't agree with God's decision.

After days, locked alone in her cell, she realised that she was the only one that was unhappy. Then, she started thinking about all the words that she said and understood her mistake. She was so selfish!

She decided to make up. She took a jar with honey and went back to God.She apologized for her behaviour and asked for a second chance.

God felt sorry for her and told her: -Bee, I can't take back my decision, but I can tell you this. Your stinger will have a poison that people can take and use for medicines. They will love you for this, even though you stick them. And I will provide you with amazing antennaes to feel the danger and protect yourself!

And that is what happens since then!

Name of school: CEIP Mesón do Vento Country: Spain Teacher’s name: Xela Cuñarro, Rocío Souto, Alejandro Varela email: xelacunarro@edu.xunta.es Name of students who took part: Rubén, Sabela, Iria, Pedro, Alba, María, Noa, Cristian, Juan Manuel, Mikel, Fabián, Brais, Natalia Asunción, Paula, Natalia and Lucas.

Age of students: 9/10

THE LEGEND OF ARDEMIL It is the most poetic legend and maybe the oldest one in our area. Our school is located in Ardemil, a small village in Ordes (A Coruña, Galicia). It was here where a legendary fight took place during Medieval times, and we can also state that maybe one of the campaigns of the Spanish Reconquest* started here.

We can quote Celso de Baión in his book Os nomes da Terra: 'A Muslim troop arrived to Galicia and they were doing as much harm as they could. Galician people got ready to receive them like they deserved. They were very well armed and felt strong due to hatred, fought against the Muslims and managed to defeat them. Only one thousand of the Muslim's troop withstood the battle and took a small village, whose name no one remembers. Galician people sieged the place, (the Christian had all left before the battle) and the village was set on fire. It was burnt to ashes, with one thousand Muslims in it. After everything had finished, local people came back to live in the village, which lost its original name in favor of Ardemil (Arde means burn, and mil means one thousand in Spanish, so the name literally means 'one thousand burn'), since there one thousand Muslims (mouros) from the story burned. Poor people’.

Of course, no one has ever found the remains of this battle and we don’t need to. We don’t have another clear explanation about the origin of the name Ardemil, but it may have a Suevi origin, meaning something like ‘Ardemiro's Lands’.

*

Reconquista, English Reconquest, in medieval Spain and Portugal, a series of

campaigns by Christian states to recapture territory from the Muslims (Moors), who had occupied most of the Iberian Peninsula in the early 8th century.

Information taken from: http://arqueotoponimia.blogspot.com.es/2018/02/batallas-miticas-en-elfolklore-de-los.html http://ordestories.blogspot.com.es/2016/02/lendas-toponimicas.html https://www.britannica.com/event/Reconquista

Name of school: Zespół Szkół Gastronomiczno-Hotelarskich w Gdańsku Country: Poland Teacher’s name: Łukasz Kamiński email: fuchur666@wp.pl Name of students who took part: Magda and Marek Age of students: 16

THE LEGEND OF ARDEMIL (changed ending) "It is the most poetic legend and maybe the oldest one in our area. Our school is located in Ardemil, a small village in Ordes (A Coruña, Galicia). It was here where a legendary fight took place during Medieval times, and we can also state that maybe one of the campaigns of the Spanish Reconquest* started here. " One day The Muslim troops arrived to Galician village. The Village was very old and no one remember the name of it. Muslims were thinking that will be the easiest attack ever. But Galicians were smart and devious. Galicians were ready and well armed. They sieged the village and let the Muslim came in. When the thousand Muslims came to the village Galicians want to burn them to ashes. But when the Muslims find out what’s going on they were scared. They run away because they know that they can’t win with brave Galician people. Galicians want to warn other enemies before they attack the village and they change the name of village to Ardemil. In Spanish Arde means burn and the thousand means Mil so Ardemil means "ONE THOUSAND BURN". The Galicians come back to the village after that incident with Muslim attack and they live there for our time. „Of course, no one has ever found the remains of this battle and we don’t need to. We don’t have another clear explanation about the origin of the name Ardemil, but it may have a Suevi origin, meaning something like ‘Ardemiro's Lands’."

Myths, Legends and stories from Tunisia 1. What is the Geographical zone of Tunisia?

2. Aisa Quandisha 2a. Images to narrate the story

Name of your school: pioneer middle school khair eddine pecha sidi bouzid Country: Tunisia Teacher’s name: Faten bouallagui computer science teacher email: fatenbouallagui50@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Gaith, Oumayma, Balkis, Ilef, Louay, Ichraf, Zeineb, Balkis, Nor, Safa Age of students: 13-15

Tunisia is situated in the warm temperate zone between latitudes 37° and 30° N. In the north the climate is Mediterranean, characterized by mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers with no marked intervening seasons.

Once Rome's major rival, Carthage was the city of the seafaring Phoenicians forever memorialized in the Punic Wars. The atmospheric ruins of this ancient town now sit beside the sea amid the suburbs of Tunis, a warning that even the greatest cities can be reduced to rubble. The ruins are extensive but spread out, and if you've been lucky enough to visit ancient city sites such as Ephesus in Turkey or Volubilis in Morocco, which are well-preserved, Carthage can seem quite underwhelming at first. But these UNESCO WorldHeritage-listed remnants are hugely important historically, and any tourist interested in North Africa's ancient past shouldn't miss a visit here.

Tabarka

Name of school: El Manar preparatory school Kairouan Country: Tunisia Teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name: Manel Boualia email: manelbouala@gmail.com Name of student who took part: Yassine Age of students: 15

Aisha Qandisha It is said that there was a woman called Aisha Qandisha. It was said that she preferred to eat men's meat and was said to be so beautiful and her legs in the form of hooves.

She went in the night beside the valleys and empty streets and eat her favorite meal, the flesh of the man and she attacked them on the way of one of the men at night attract them by her beauty and then go to leave in the top of the mountains and then kill him with her feet in the form of hooves and then drink his blood and eat his flesh were the men when they hear In her name they fear more than the children and as she have been terrified a lot of fire so people traveling light the fire in the night for fear of bringing them Aysha Qandisha and remain the best superstition myths all over the Maghreb and consider it so far exist and real.

Name of school: Beylikdüzü American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Maria Yiğit email: mariayigit82@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Mahru, Efe Dölek, Musa, Kayra

Aisha Qandisha (Create images to narrate the story)

It is said that there was a woman called a Aisha Qandisha. It was said that she preffered to eat men's meat and was said to be so beautiful and her legs in the form of hooves.

She went in the night beside the valleys and empty streets and eat her favorite meal, the flesh of the man and she attacked them on the way of one of the men at night attract them by her beauty and then go to leave in the top of the mountains and then kill him with her feet in the form of hooves and then drink his blood and eat his flesh were the men when they hear In her name they fear more than the children and as she have been terrified a lot of fire so people traveling light the fire in the night for fear of bringing them Aysha Qandisha and remain the best superstition myths all over the Maghreb and consider it so far exist and real.

Myths, legends and stories from Turkey 1. Sheperd Keloğlan 2. Keloğlan 3. Keloğlan and Freckled Chicken 4. Keloğlan / Bad Boy and Squirrel 5. Keloğlan’s life / Keloğlan and Magical Bawl 6. Nasrettin Hoca – Fourty year old Vinegar 7. Give the money blow the pipe 8. Karagöz and Hacivat 9. No Fault with the Thief 10.Keloğlan and the magic pot 1 11. Ergenekon saga 12. Hezarfa Ahmet Çelebi 13. Leila and Mecnun 14. The legend of Saribiz 15. Nasreddin Hodja and his Ride backwords on donkey 16. Maiden Tower 17. Cenkiz Khan 18. Keloğlan and the magic pot 2 19. The prophecy of Istanbul 19a.Instant photos 19b. Different ending 20. The Cauldron Gave Birth 21. Has the Thief no crime?

22. Lokman Hekim 22a. Recreation

Name of school: Beylikduzu American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Maria Yiğit email: mariayigit82@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Mahru Nefise, Efe, Musa, Kayra Age of students: 9-10

SHEPERD KELOĞLAN Once upon a time, in the past Keloğlan and his mother have been made to live with the shepherd of his father. One day, while grazing the sheep in the mountains, his father's way cuts off the bandits. They want a few sheep.

Keloğlan's father is also: "These sheep do not trust me." Keloglan's father confronts when the bandits are forced. Then the bandits catch him, throw him in the dungeon, and take away all the sheep. Soon the news spreads through the pioneer. Keloğlan's father was taken captive. The days have passed, and the livelihood of the mother-in-law has become difficult. When Keloğlan could not find the new shepherd who had thought of the moved peasants, he decided to do the village shepherd. villagers; Though they insisted, "You can not, you need to read," she began to take her mother's consent to the shepherd. He had freed Keloğlan's father from his hands. In the early morning, the villages took their sheep and went down. He came to the foothills of a mountain. He passed the stream from the edge of the mountain. The sheep have begun to drink water from within. Keloğlan was very tired, saying to himself: "I will take some rest in the shadow of that tree."

It has become a harmonious tiredness by laying under the tree. By the way, the sheep have begun to weed after they have exhausted their thirst. After they fed their bellies, they spread out. It has been a long time since ... It was evening. They were alarmed when they saw that villager sheep did not come.

What the hell were we doing, we delivered so many sheep to a young child ... I hope they do not get a job!" However, they did not feel comfortable and went out to look for Keloglan and the sheep. In the meantime Keloğlan woke up to hear a great noise from his sleep. What a sight! The baldnessers are collecting the grazing sheep around ... Kelogan: "Hey! What are you guys doing? They are my version ... entrusted to me! .. "he shouted. Bandits: "In the past year, someone said the same as you, now lies in the black jungle that does not see the sun!" Keloğlan, I realize that these bandits are the

bandits that captured his father. He's started to cunning the plan right away.

The bandits approached Keloğlan: "Do not you give us these sheep now?" Dopey: "Ages, what a hangover! Just let me go. Even if you wait a bit, you will get a lot more! " On this, the bandits: "If you do not want to be hurt, come quickly!" Keloğlan was delighted to grasp the bandits and kept the road to the village. The aim is to save the father by bringing villagers and capturing bandits. After traveling for a while, he encountered the villagers who had been searching for him. He told me what happened with excitement. The villagers immediately went to Keloğlan where they were crawling together.

They were secretly approaching the bandits and suddenly they were thrown at them, and the bandits caught up. They learned the location of Keloğlan's father's dungeon and rescued Keloğlan's father. Keloğlan said to the villagers with joy: "I saved my father from scumbags ... I will not be a shepherd anymore ... I will continue my education." Then they went home with their father and lived a happy life.

Who is Keloglan Keloğlan became a Turkish fairy tale hero. It has the most important place in Turkish folk culture. Children are heroes of the Kelogan tales described as fairy tales. There have been various stories in the ear and spread. It is a fantasy hero who has been from the heroes of the fairy tale and has overcome the evils of the era with funny and entertaining moments. It comes from the top of the business thanks to cunning, using the mind against the evil. He goes through the front of those who are cunning him as if he came under difficult circumstances.

Because it is the head bald that is at the table, it is called the bald.

Name of school: Beylikduzu American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Maria Yiğit email: mariayigit82@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Zümrüt, Şimay, Irmak, Yağmur, Ahmet, Melik Age of students: 9-10

KELOGLAN Keloglan is a famous character in Turkey. And now we are going to present to you some facts in order to learn about Keloglan.

Keloğlan has got a donkey . He has got brown eyes. And he is bold . Also he has got a scoop ears. He is always wearing baggy trousers.

HE IS FUNNY. HE IS KELOGLAN. NOW WE ARE BACK TO THE STORY

Keloglan and the giant Once upon a time they lived in a village in a house on their own with a bold boy and his mom. Keloglan is intelligent like a gin he is so lazy . Poor moments she finds squeezes and put something in front of her son . Keloglan have just eaten . One day like this five days like this.

Where do you want you can work but never come back with out gold.

After she said this she puts Keloğlan out of the door and he goes in a forest . He saw a giant who took him to his home. Keloğlan prepared a cream and they put the cream on giants eye and Keloğlan became rich.

Name of school: Beylikduzu American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Maria Yiğit email: mariayigit82@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Eylül, Ceylin, Sevval, Ergun, Murat Age of students: 9-10

KELOĞLAN and Freckled Chicken One has arrived, one has disappeared, and in time, in the sieve of time, one of the distant countries has witnessed our own wolves. Keloğlan is curled up, but his features are very beautiful. He takes care of people, treats his friends well, loves animals, but does not like working. The moment he gets a job, he makes up an excuse, and the real girl stops hiding in there.

One day in the day, while sleeping in front of the house door, a short boy approached him: - Hish keloğlan, keleşoğlan, screaming at her boys who are upset with her mother.

Keloğlan turned right back, continued to sleep, and began to dream. He walked in a long way in his dream, encountered a chicken before he walked, Chicken; - Ah, an archeologist who knows what to do, what to do, what to do, do not know what happened, telling you what to do first, telling how fools traveled in front of their coops. Kelogan is awakened, just trying to help him ... What do you see when he wakes up, the freckled chicken in their house does not sit right on his chest? Holding him from his wings, he ran around and put it in his pile. She was surprised at what the freckled cock was going through, but she thought that the fox would take the freckled chicken because she was influenced by the dream. Few days later, he saw the same dream and took the chickens' chicken, the only chickens in the coops, and began to lay them down in his own bed. He was very angry at this job, what a job he had in the bed, like a man, a coop. Kelogan saw his eyes when he missed the freckled chicken of the tall fox. At last he decided to visit the fox, which would not have looked. The fox was very happy to see our mothers, invited him to his home, and entered into the fountain of our fox, is not there the chicken fox stolen from the whole village's coops? He's seen it, but I can not see it ...

The fox pursued a plan as usual, but it did not account for how quickly the mind was working. The bald man sitting in the nest of the till does not want to let it but will the fox ever let him? His plan was to close a cage and eat it.

KeloÄ&#x;lan took a whirlwind, hanging on the wall and holding it to his bald head, eyes of the fool looking at daughter. Then the villagers were picked up by the peasants who were stolen, and the villagers were so nervous that they left the fox house and left. No one ever saw her there again.

Name of school: Beylikduzu American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Maria Yiğit email: mariayigit82@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Duru, Ece, Duru T., Ayşe Age of students: 9-10

KELOĞLAN There is also a theatrical piece with a musical dance for children named "Skillful Bee Of Keloğlan" written by Tahsin Melan, who has staged many time in Ankara Union, Eti children's Theater and many private communities. It is also the name of Necdet Sen's Quick Journalist comic book Published in Cumhuriyet newspaper 1991 as a book by Remzi bookshop. Young deputy Doğan Önder's rapid rise in polities and the short face of another face in a short time to get acquainted with the politics of the well cannot adapt, the choice between power and honor to tell a story.

BALD BOY AND SQUIRREL Once upon a time there was a woman and his bald son was living in a town, they were so miserable due to poverty. Sometimes they would not have anything to eat at home. Therefore, Bald Boy took a basket to his hard and go wander at the forest.

He's get some mushrooms and brought them to her mother to cook. That day was another gloomy day and it was foggy and rainy. Bald Boy went to the forest again to collect some mushrooms and he ate some of them on his way. Later on, he sat under a big and old tree to rest. When he looked up above the branches he saw e squirrel that was just staring at him. When she saw the Bald Boy she got off from the branch that she was standing and started to cry. Bald Boy held it and tried to calm her down kissed her hugged her Squirrel said, ''Aaah, Ahh. You are treating me very friendly and it has not I had for a long time.'' And Bald Boy talked about his poverty to the squirrel. And the squirrel feels pity on him and she said: ''I will dog favor to you. They walked for hours and hours and

eventually at the forest they saw rock cliff. The squirrel said that: ''Go over the rock cliff and grouses are going to the welcome you. They would be asking you three questions to you and you can answer them you will find out what is going to be your reward.''

Everything that the squirrel said becomes true and grouses welcomed the Bald Boy, the queen of the grouses said that: ''We are going to ask you three questions and if you can answer them you are going to get two jar of gold as a reward. The queen showed to Bald Boy a cherry tree and said that: ''tell me how many cherries on that tree.'' Bald Boy said ''it is piece of cake as much as number of heather you've got. If you want to find out you can count them.''

The answer is taken as a correct. Second question was that ''where is the middle of the earth.'' Bald Boy said you are standing on it if you don't believe you can measure it. This answer is also taken as a correct one again. For the last question the queen hold to walnuts and asked tell me which one is the heavier?

The one that sinks into the water said Bald Boy. As a result this answer is also taken correct and he has got two jar of gold. He run to his house and gave the jars of treasures to his mother and went back to the forest to look for the squirrel and when he found in the squirrel was still crying. I said the squirrel, I am daughter of a Sultan but I was enchanted and I become a squirrel. You have to go to the Mountain of Kaf and you have to pass through a mountain that is guarded by a dragon and you will gather and fetch me the water of emerald.

Bald Boy went to the town and bought a very sharp sward and went to Mountain of Kaf. There were giant snakes guarding to front of the cave and Bald Boy was able to kill them by his sword. When the dragon heard the sounds of the snakes he flied to around to see what was going on. Bald Boy took it as an advantage and got the emerald water put it in to a bottle. He run back to the forest and found the squirrel.

The squirrel was so happy to see that Bald Boy was accomplished the mission and as soon as she drunk to the water of emerald she becomes the prettiest girl on the earth. They went to the Sultan's place and when Sultan heard to the story he rewarded Bald Boy with millions of gold and treasuries at the end, Bald Boy and his mother lived happily ever after.

Name of school: Beylikduzu American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Maria Yiğit email: mariayigit82@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Servan, Özge, Ezel, Zafer, Nagarjuna Age of students: 9-10

Keloglan’s Life Keloglan is a very well known Turkish folk stories hero. He is a poor and an orphand boy who lives with his elderly mother. He is a lazy boy who works unwillingly with the force of his mother and keeps the job grudgingly, because of his stupidity and forgetfulness to work hand side is one of the propagator.

Unexpectedly, the power status remained in a human or animal for helping them with the support of the extraordinary power of fortune turns. Keloğlan chopper's fate, ruthless, cunning in the face of injustice to those who had gained.

Keloğlan And Magical Bowl One day Keloğlan went fishing to catch some fish. “I can catch a few fish for me and my mother and shall be full up that evening”, he thought. On the edge of the river he threw his fishing-line to the water, soon he caught a very,Once there was a bald boy, named Keloğlan. His old, poor mother was addressing him as “Bald big fish in the afternoon.

Its eyes were as light as a glass, and its scales were as brilliant as silver, it was a very beautiful fish. Keloğlan carved its scales, and went to cut its belly and clean it. It’s was then he saw a big bowl inside the fish. He felt very happy “I shall take both the bowl and the fish to my mother”, he said. He wanted to wash the fish by the bowl of water and pour the water in the bowl on the fish but at that time he saw that gold was flowing from the bowl instead of water. He tried a few times to be sure.He saw again that gold was flowing . “I

think it is a magical stone, I should tell my mother right away”, he said and he ran all the way home as fast as he could. Keloğlan soon became very very rich, even the king of the country was poorer than him. He built a wonderful palace and he had a lot of servants and he was eating the most delicious me- als. After sometime, Keloğlan started to be spoiled by richness, he wasted a lot of gold unnecessarily. He even did not listen to his mother’s warnings about it. “I have a magical copper bowl and I can do anything and everything I want” he said. People started to lose their interest in him because of his pride and ambitions. People have now commented that ‘Keloğlan was better in his old days, now we cannot know him, he is a spoiled and very ambitious person at present’. One day Keloğlan came to the edge of the river “Gold does not finish, I can bu- ild a palace here too” he thought and at that moment his magical copper bowl in his hand fell into the water. Keloğlan jumped into the river to catch it, but Ke- loğlan was not a good swimmer and he nearly drowned. He was able to rescue himself after sometime, but during this time, thieves have stolen all the gold. Keloğlan cried and went back to his home, he told his mother what hap- pened on the edge of the river and how he lost the magical copper bowl and the thieves stolen all his gold. “Don’t worry, my dear son, that magical copper bowl was not your right. You did not gain it by your work and effort. Besides, you were very spoiled and proud. Leave it. You will be rescued of looking down people like that” his mother said. Keloğlan was comforted by his mother and found what mother said was right.

Name of school: Beylikdüzü American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Elham Salahi email: elham.m.salahi@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Kaan, Alican Age of students: 12

Nasrettin Hoca Fourty-year-old Vinegar Nasrretin Hoca was resting at home when a neighbor knocked at the door.

Nasrettin Hoca woke up and opened the door.

The neigbour told him: “Hey Nasrettin Hoca, My wife is really ill. Doctor has told me that she needs some fourty-year-old vinegar.And I heard you are the only person who has it. Can you give me some of your fourty-year-old vinegar?”

Nasrettin Hoca got angry and told him:” Of course, I can’t.”

The neghibour asked him why.

Nasrettin Hoca told him: “ If I gave it to everyone who asked for it, it wouldn’t be fourty years old”

Name of school: Beylikduzu American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name: Sina Panahi email: s.panahi.m@gmail.com Name of student who took part: Kuzey Age of student: 9-10

GIVE THE MONEY BLOW THE PIPE Once upon a time, Nasreddin Hodja was going to market and the children of the neighbourhood asked him for various toys, but did not pay him. Only one among them said: Hodja buy me a pipe with a nice sound and gave the nacessary amount of money to the Hodja.

Late that day the children began to watch for the Hodja.When the finally arrived he took out a pipe from his saddlesack and gave it to the child who had paid for it.The other children asked him why he had not brought them the toys they had asked for, upon which he said: Children, give the money blow the pipe!

Name of school: Beylikduzu American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Sina Panahi email: s.panahi.m@gmail.com Name of student who took part: Özden Age of student: 9-10

KARAGÖZ AND HACİVAT Karagöz and

Hacivat

are

the

lead

characters

of

the

traditional Turkish shadow play. They were very popular in Ottoman period and now in Turkey. They are not exactly known whether live or not.

According to a legend, they were working as construction workers in a mosque in Bursa. They always make jokes to each other and the other workers.

Because of their jokes Sultan of Ottoman empire thought they were slowing down the construction. One day they were executed by the Sultan. The construction of the mosque was completed without them but other worker did not forget them and kept their jokes alive.By the time people tell their jokes and stories over and over. In time the traditional Turkish shadow puppet theatre Karagöz and Hacivat was born.

Karagoz and Hacivat was the most enjoyed entertainment of the Ottoman.

They were

performed for the public and in private houses especially

during Ramadan,festivals and coffee gardens. Karagöz acts common and ordinary person in the street. He doesn’t have any job and always thinks to get Money easly. He is often rude . You can recognize him by his bald head and his black beard. His left arm is longer than the other one. His friend Hacivat is the opposite of him; he is educated, speaks Ottoman Turkish and uses poetical and literary language. He's very clever as well.

Today a limited number of artists continue the studies related to the art of Hacivat and Karagoz. Their tomb stands in Bursa today.

Name of school: Beylikduzu American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Sina Panahi email: s.panahi.m@gmail.com Name of student who took part: Yagmur Melek Age of student: 9-10

No Fault with the Thief Nasreddin hodja has his donkey stolen. Grieving over his loss to his neighbours he hears them all talking at once: “hodja, why on earth didn’t you put a good lock on the barn door?” Says one.

“A thief breaks in, and you are unaware!

“

criticizes

another

yet

another blames hodja “please don’t take offense but you alone are to blame for it as you do not even have a decent barn.It’s falling to pieces, period!” İndignat at the eriticism, hodja reacts “For Heaven’s sake! If you say but is the fault all mine? No fault with the thief?”

Name of school: Beylikdüzü American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Elham Salahi email: elham.m.salahi@gmail.com Name of students: Selen, Azra Nigar Age of students: 12

Keloğlan and the magic pot Once upon a time there was a boy. His name was Keloğlan. He lived in a village. He was a bald boy with a kind heart but he was a little bit lazy and not willing to work. One day he went fishing. He caught a big fish. He started skinning the fish. When he cut the fish in half he saw a small pot inside the fish.

He told himself “I am so lucky! I caught only a fish but I got a pot too.”

He filled the pot with water to wash the fish. Then something strange happened! To his surprise the water in the pot turned into gold. Keloğlan couldn't believe his eyes. He told himself: ”This pot is certainly a magical pot.”

He ran home right away. He showed the pot to his mother and told her what happened. She cried happily. Keloğlan started turning water to gold. He had so much gold that he was richer than the king of the country.

So, he built a big castle and moved to his castle. He hired a lot of servants.

He started spending all his gold for unimportant things. His mom told him: “Keloğlan, this is not good for our future.” But Keloğlan didn’t listen to his mom.

He told his mom: “I have a magic pot. I can have whaterev I want.” He was spoiled and greedy. So, his friends didn’t like him as much as before.

He spent all his gold. He decided to make more gold. He went to a river.

When he was filling his pot, he dropped it into the river. he tried to catch it but he couldn't and he fell into the river. He didn’t have any hope to find it again.

He went home crying. He told his mom what happened to him. His mom said: “don’t be sad Keloğlan. ‘easy come easy go.’ Having a lot of gold changed you. You were greedy and spoiled. You would not see yourself better than others now.”

Keloğlan thought about what his mother told him. He thought his mother was right. He didn’t think about the magic pot anymore.

Name of school: Beylikdüzü American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Asude Aslıhan Gültekin email: agultekin@beylikduzuamerikankoleji.com Name of students who took part: Ada Taş, İdil Sezin Arel Age of students: 13

Ergenekon Saga In the Turkish case, there was no place that did not bow to the Turks. This situation made foreign peoples jealous. Foreign tribes united, marched on the Turks. Then the Turks gathered their tents and their pastures together; They dug around and waited. When the enemy came, the shooting started. They've been fighting for ten days. As a result, the Turks were superior. Upon this defeat, the inns of the enemy tribes gathered

and

spoke

at

the

hunting

grounds of the lords, and they decided to cheat the Turks and acted like they were running away. The Turks accepted the defeat and thought they had escaped and rushed to their horses. The shooting started when turks were seen by the enemy. The Turks were defeated. The enemy came to kill the Turks and they killed every single people they saw. Turks returned to their homeland. Here they found horses, camels, oxen, sheep that escaped from the enemy.

They sat down and said: “Four sides are full of enemies. Inside the mountains enemy can’t find us, let’s settle down there”. They came to a point where there was no other way except the one they came from. The only way this was so steep was to ride the camel, the horse hardly walked; it would roll and shatter if it put its foot at the wrong spot. There were rivers, resources, kinds of plants, nuts and preys in the country where the Turks had. When they see such a place, they are grateful to the great God. In the winter, the meat of the animals is eaten, and the in the summer the milk of the animal is drinken. They said "Ergenekon" to this country. Four hundred years later, they and their flocks multiplied so much that they could not fit in Ergenekon. The conference gathered to find a cure. They said: "We have heard from our ancestors; Apart

from Ergenekon, there were large countries, beautiful dorms. Our home also used to be in those places. They decided to go through the mountains and find a way and leave Ergenekon but they couldn’t find somewhere to go. Then a blacksmith said: “There is an iron mine in this mountain. If the iron is melted, maybe the mountain gives us a passage”. They went and saw the iron mine.

They covered the mountain with coal. Seventy times they made seventy great bellows and put them in seventy years. They fired and charred wood charcoal. With the help of God, the iron was angry, melted and was flowing and become a passage. Then a Wolf appeared unknown where it comes from. The Wolf came, stood in front of the Turk. Everybody understands that it will show the way. The Wolf walked, and then the Turkish nation and the Turks came out of Ergenekon under the leadership of the Wolf and on the holy day of the holy month of that holy year. The Turks had a good time on that day. This holy day was the holiday of the Turks. Great ceremonies are held every day that day.

First of all, a piece of iron was fired up and emboss it with jealousy and anger.

Then the other Turkish beacons do the same thing and celebrate the feast.

Name of school: Beylikdüzü American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Elham Salahi email: elham.m.salahi@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Azra, Nazlı, Irmak Age of students: 12

HEZARFEN AHMET ÇELEBİ There lived a knowladgable young man in Turkey. His name was Ahmet Çelebi.

He had big dreams. His bigest dream was flying like a bird and living free.

He always dreamt about this and worked hard for it . he believed that everyone would fly one day, and he was telling this to everyone but people called his ideas rediculus. His family didn’t support him and thought his ideas were crazy. Even his best friend Lagari Hasan Çelebi didn’t support him.He didn’t give up his hope because of his family and friends discouragment.

Because of his great knowledge of science and his designs people called him “Hezarfan”. It is a Farsi word. İt means a person who knows how to handle everything.

Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi was inspired

by birds. To him, birds were free

cratures. He designed his own wings in 1632 Then he went to Istanbul which had a high tower in it named “Galata Tower”. He went to the top of the tower. He put his wings on. He was ready to have his first flying experience. He jumped off the tower and after flying for almost three kilometers he landed in a place named Uskudar.

King Murat IV was watching Hezarfen in his palace’s balcony. The king was impressed. He invited Hezarfan to his palace. He gave him a bag of gold and told him he is a great man. But the king was afraid of Hazarfan because Hazarfan was too smart and knowlagable. Because of that the King decided to send Hazarfan to exile. He sent him to Algeria. He died after 8 years.

Name of school: Beylikdüzü American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Asude Aslıhan Gültekin email: agultekin@beylikduzuamerikankoleji.com Name of students who took part: Can Güzeyli, Irmak Gürbüz, İrem İlayda Karamık, Büşra Meryem Aydın Ageof students: 13

Leila and Mecnun Kays (Mecnun) has born with prays and vows. He was a son of clan head. He met with a girl called Leila who is daughter of another clan head. They both fell in love each other. Leila’s mother learned this big fired love. Her mother got angry with this situation. And she didn’t let her to go to school. When Kays didn’t see her at school, he went crazy. And he went to desert and everyone started to call him Mecnun.

Mecnun’s father was mad at the situation. Then Mecnun’s father went to Leila’s father to talk to him. But Leila’s father didn’t want Mecnun

to

marry

with

her

daughter. Leila escaped from home.

And she found Mecnun in desert.

He was being friendly to gazelles and bires. His love was too big so that’s why he didn’t remember Leila.

Mecnun’s father took him to Kabe to make him well. Mecnun prayed to God for increase him love. And the other side, Leila was tired for difficulty of living without love.

After all, her family let her to marry with Ibn-i Selam who is rich and reputable man. But Leila removed him from herself in some ways. Then, Mecnun found out Leila’s relationship with Ibn-i Selam from his friend Zeyd. Mecnun sent a reproach letter to Leila. And then Leila explained the situation directly with a letter to Mecnun. And also she got angry to Mecnun for not understanding her.

After a while, Ibn-i Selam died. Leila went to her father’s home. After that, she started to search for Mecnun in the desert again. But, Mecnun forgot Leila because of him big divine and fired love. Leila found him on desert but Mecnun didn’t remember her. Then Leila got sad. Then she became ill. In short time she died. Then Mecnun learned her dead news. After, he came to Leila’s tomb and he hugged to Leila’s tomb.

After a while, Mecnun’s loyal friend Zeyd saw two valentines that they met in heaven garden in his dream.

When we ask ‘’Who are they ?’’. They say: ‘’They are Mecnun and his loyal valentine Leila.’’

Name of school: Beylikdüzü American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher: Asude Aslıhan Gültekin Email: agultekin@beylikduzuamerikankoleji.com Name of students who took part: Zeynep Betül Karartı, Sudenaz Çiçek, Sudenaz Korkmaz Age of students: 13

THE LEGEND OF SARIKIZ Located between the provinces of Canakkale and Balikesir, Turkey's precious Kaz Mountains (Mount Ida) among the villagers, there is an old tradition to celebrate the legend Sarıkız place in the last week of August every year.

According to the legend, Sarıkız, translated as Fair Maiden, was a beautiful and pureborn girl from Assos who moved a village near Güre in Edremit district of Balikesir province with his father after his mother's death. One day, every father is entrusted to his neighbors when he goes to the Hajj. Sarıkız's talents have delivered this opportunity to marriage. When she turned everyone down, out of resentment, her suitors began spreading malicious rumors about her chastity. Her father decided to let his daughter and a goose ran away because of the shame she brought to the family, to take her to the summit of Mount Kaz and to die there. As the story progressed, he asked his daughter to bring some water to him to find that the water she brought to him was salt water. He immediately sensed that something had changed in his daughter and asked her to fetch more water.

However, it rained suspicion to see that Sarıkız extended his hand to the mountain to gather the water in the Aegean Sea. Realizing that his daughter had been slaughtered, he left the summit, now called Sarıkız Tepesi, and clambered to the summit of it’s neighbor in a deep desperation for his daughter to stand up. They were both said to be found dead by villagers on their respective neighboring peaks.

Name of school: Beylikduzu American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Sina Panahi email: s.panahi.m@gmail.com Name of student who took part: Efe Age of student: 9-10

NASREDDIN HODJA AND HIS RIDE BACKWARDS ON DONKEY One day Nasreddin Hodja goes to the mosque with his companions. After the prayer, he decides to ride on his donkey backwards. His companions ask, ‘’Why are you riding on the donkey backwards?’’

He answers, ‘’I think a bit and decide to sit in this way and also I don’t like to be disrespectful. If I sit facing forward, you will be behind of me. It is not respectful. If you go in front of me, I will be behind of you. It is not respectful too. I sit on my donkey like this, because it is the most respectful and logical way!’’

Name of school: Beylikdüzü American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Numan Ustun email: Matthewakk@beylikduzuamerikankoleji.com Name of students who took part: Gokçe Naz, Zeynep, Elif Age of students: 12

MAIDEN TOWER Byzantium’s queen gave birth to a beautiful girl . Emperor became so happy to have a daughter that he wanted a big celebration. Every year on his daughter’s birthday everyone in the country celebrated it.

Emperor asked all the great scholars and wise men of his country to educate his daughter to become a queen in future. But one of these wise men who was an oracle told the Emperor that his daughter was going to die with a snake bite before she turned 18. Emperor decided to build a tower on a small island in the sea of Marmara.

The emperor took the princess to the small island far from snakes. He thought his daughter would be safe in the middle of sea. He visited his daughter every day.

Years passed. Emperor’s daughter was turning 18. But life doesn’t go as you want. Emperor decided to send a basket of grapes to her daughter. When the basket arrived a snake that was hiding under the grapes came out of the basket.

The snake bit the princess. The princess died.

Emperor was very sad. He understood that people couldn’t escape from fate. It was time to bury the princess but he thought that snakes would disturb the princess, if he buries his daughter under the soil. That is why he turned his daughter’s body into a mummy and put it into a coffin. He ordered to put the coffin on the highest wall of the Hagia Sophia. And he thought that he could protect his daughter from the snakes this way.

And today the coffin is still in Hagia Sophia. There are two holes on the coffin. People believe that those holes are because of the snakes. It seems that snakes continued disturbing the princess. After all, who can escape fate?!

Name of school: Beylikdüzü American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Asude Aslıhan Gültekin email: agultekin@beylikduzuamerikankoleji.com Name of students who took part: Ege Oktay, Can Toker, Yasin Aslan, Berke Taşkınvardar Age of students: 13

CENGIZ KHAN Cengiz Khan was born in 1167 with name of Temuçin . Temuçin means blacksmith. He is named Cengiz after his father Yesügüy Bahadır, He was the leader of trible of Kıyat Takar in Mongolia. He inosculate all tribles of Mongolia to one. He attacked to Pekin in 1221 and he had victory. A china prince and Cengiz Han married for peace but it didnt go long.In 1215 he took the china to be his country. He started a war with Harzemşahs and he had victory once again.He had 3 brother Hazar Kasar, Kaçiun and Temüge and a sister whose name was Temülin. Also he had 2 stepbrothers Bekter and Belgütey.His soldiers killed more than 40 million people (11 percent of the earth). Cengiz Han's death was in 1227/8/18 when he was 60 years old. In myths it says an arrow that fell into his leg or falling from the horse maybe it can be a illness.He took his tag name "Cengiz"in 1206 Onon river and Big congress gave his tag name.

Name of school: Beylikdüzü American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Numan Ustun email: Matthewakk@beylikduzuamerikankoleji.com Name of students who took part: Buşra, Selen Age of students: 12

Keloğlan and the magic pot Once upon a time there was a boy. His name was Keloğlan. He lived in a village. He was a bald boy with a kind heart but he was a little bit lazy and not willing to work. One day he went fishing. He caught a big fish. He started skinning the fish. When he cut the fish in half he saw a small pot inside the fish.

He told himself “I am so lucky! I caught only a fish but I got a pot too.”

He filled the pot with water to wash the fish. Then something strange happened! To his surprise the water in the pot turned into gold. Keloğlan couldn't believe his eyes. He told himself:”This pot is certainly a magical pot.”

He ran home right away. He showed the pot to his mother and told her what happened. She cried happily. Keloğlan started turning water to gold. He had so much gold that he was richer than the king of the country.

So he built a big castle and moved to his castle. He hired a lot of servants.

He started spending all his gold for unimportant things. His mom told him: “Keloğlan, this is not good for our future.” But Keloğlan didn’t listen to his mom.

He told his mom: “I have a magic pot. I can have whaterev I want.” He was spoiled and greedy. So his friends didn’t like him as much as before.

He spent all his gold. He decided to make more gold. He went to a river.

When he was filling his pot he dropped it into the river. he tried to catch it but he couldn't and he fell into the river. He didn’t have any hope to find it again.

He went home crying. He told his mom what happened to him. His mom said: “don’t be sad Keloğlan. ‘easy come easy go.’ Having a lot of gold changed you. You were greedy and spoiled. You would not see yourself better than others now.”

Keloğlan thought about what his mother told him. He thought his mother was right. He didn’t think about the magic pot anymore.

Name of school: Beylikduzu American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Burcu Özer email: burcuozer@beylikduzuamerikankoleji.com Name of students who took part: Zeynep, Tuana, Nazanin, Jude, Dila, Çağla Age of students: 10-11

THE PROPHECY OF ISTANBUL Settling in Constantinople in other words Istanbul starts with a prophecy preached by Delphy’s prophets. The traveler who was going to take the road for a new colony was going to ask for a foresight from the prophet, and the prophet was going to say to him, “Move forward to the Black Sea, and there you will see the city of blind, waiting for you.” They, as always, do not

understand

anything

as

the

prophet said, but even so they take the road according to the prophet’s foresight. “How does a person not settle here, they must be blind”, passing through their minds as they set foot in Istanbul for the first time. The region which is located on the opposite side and has never attempted to settle to this side remains with the same name, Chalcedon. The city of blind, now known as Kadıköy… The prophet took a long shot, and managed to get it right. (Great Apollo don’t lend an ear to my words)

Name of school: 1st Experimental Primary School, Alexandroupoli Country: Greece Teacher’s name: Angeliki Kougiourouki email: akougiou@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Anastasia, Maria, Stavrilia Age of students: 11

The Prophecy of Istanbul (instant photos) Settling in Constantinople in other words Istanbul starts with a prophecy preached by Delphy’s prophets. The traveler who was going to take the road for a new colony was going to ask for a foresight from the prophet, and the prophet was going to say to him: “Move forward to the Black Sea, and there you will see the city of blind, waiting for you.”

They, understand

as

always, anything

do

not

as

the

prophet said, but even so they take the road according to the prophet’s foresight.

“How does a person not settle here, they must be blind”, passing through their minds as they set foot in Istanbul for the first time. The region which is located on the opposite side and has never attempted to settle to this side remains with the same name, Chalcedon.

The city of blind, now known as Kadıköy…

The prophet took a long shot and managed to get it right. (Great Apollo don’t lend an ear to my words)

Name of school: I.I.S. "Don Lorenzo Milani" –Gragnano Country: Italy Teacher’s name: Antonietta Calò email: tonia.calo@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Luigi- Domenico- Vincenzo Age of students: 14/15 aged students Pupils changed the final to The Prophecy of Instanbul “Setting in costantinople in other words Istanbul starts with a prophecy preached by delphy's prophets. The traveler who was going to take the road for a new colony was going to ask for a foresight from the prophet, and the prophet was going to say to him:"Move forward to the Black Sea, and there you will see the city of blind, waiting for you".

Our ending: But during his way the traveller met a terrible lynx who wants to eat him.

After an orrible fight the traveller managed to kill the lynx but he lost the sight and he became blind and also, he got lots of scars. But the traveller could build a colony in this place. From that moment the city was called ''city of blind'' in honour of this famous traveller.

Name of school: Beylikduzu American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Burcu Özer email: burcuozer@beylikduzuamerikankoleji.com Name of student who took part : Ayşe Age of student: 10

The Cauldron Gave Birth One, Nasreddin Hodja borrows a cauldron from his

neighbour.When

returning it,he thanks the neighbourand puts a small cauldron in it.The neighbour wonders what the smaller cauldron is, Hodja tells the neighbour that his big cauldron gave birth to a smaller one, so the neighbouris glad.After a long while,Hodja asks his neighbour to lend his cauldron again.The neighbour willingly agrees to give it.However, this time there is no Word of either Hodja or the cauldron even after a long time.Finally, the neighbour asks for the return of the borrowed cauldron.

N: ”Hodja, whats happened to my cauldron?

H: “My dear neighbour, it’s been ages since then

and your cauldron has

died.I was wondering how to break the bad news.”Hodja says sadly Furious at this, the neighbour asks: “ What are you saying? Would a cauldron die ? It’s not alive ; now could it die? “ -“ You believed that it gave birth, so why can’t you accept that it is dead?”

Name of school: Beylikduzu American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Burcu Özer email: burcuozer@beylikduzuamerikankoleji.com Name of students: Ezel, Berathan, Yiğit Age of students: 10-11

Has the Thief No Crime?

Nasreddin Hodja has his donkey

stolen. Grieving over his less to his

neighbour, he hears them all talking at once : -“Hodja , why on earth didn’t put a good luck on the barn door?” say one.

- “A thief breaks in ,and you are unaware!” criticizes another.

Yet another blames Hodja: -“Please don’t take offense but you alone are to blame for it as you do not even have a decent barn.It’s falling to pieces, period!”

Indignat at the ariticism Hodja reacts: -“For Heaven’s sake ! If you say but is the fault all mine? No fault with the thief.

Name of school: SEYHAN ROTARY ANADOLU LİSESİ Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Ziya SARIBOĞA email: ziyasariboga@yahoo.com Name of students who took part: İrem, Senanur, Dilara, Melisa, Songül, Berkant, Fatma, Gülnihal Age of students: 16-17

LOKMAN HEKİM Lokman Hekim is the master of all the doctors. According to rumours, Lokman Hekim who understands the language of all the grasses and flowers, made a variety of medicines from these plants. Every flower, every grass would tell Lokman which ilness they treat. Lokman Hekim travelling all over the world, he settled in the city of Misis when he saw that everything was growing on the fertile soil of Çukurova. Lokman who finds cure of every disease treated all patients around him. Healthy people who have begun to live without disease, wanted to find a cure for immortality by coming to Lokman. He started to search for the plant that would be a cure for immortality by wandering around Çukurova. He heard a sound while he was sleeping under a plane tree. ‘’Lokman, stop searching. I’m the remedy of death. From now on there is no death neither for animals nor humans.’’ Running to the herb calling him, Lokman Hekim learned how to make the medicine and wrote it a notebook then he snatched the herb and set off the road. When he came to Misis he stood above the Misis Bridge, which is above the Ceyhan River. He was also carrying his notebook in his hand. He started to write the cure by looking at his notes. When he was just about to finish it the wind blowed the notebook and the herb into the river. Thus, Lokman Hekim could never find the cure of death. Since, all herbs have started to ignore him and they have never talked him again.

Name of school: VII LO im. Juliusza Słowackiego, Warsaw Country: Poland Teacher’s name: Małgorzata Malczyk email: malczykm@interia.eu Name of students who took part: Helena, Aleksandra Age of sudens: 17

Lockman (recreated) Once upon a time tere was a Man named Lockman, who had a special gift – He understood the language of plants. They were telling him which diseases they could cure. Lockman treated every patient around him. One day people asked him to find a cure from all illnesses so that people became immortal. While searching for it he fell asleep under a plane tree. Then he heard a voice “I am the cure you are looking for, but there is one condition – you must not fall in love.” Lockman wrote in his notebook how to prepare this medicine. He came back to the town and started to sell his medicine. A few days later people started to complain that the cure was not working, because people were still dying. “I haven’t told you about the condition – you mustn’t fall in love”, said Lockman. “As you can see living without love is impossible, so no one can live forever”.

Myths, legends and stories from Ukraine 1. Poverty 2. Why the dog lives around a man 2a. Comic strips 2b. video 3. Earth 4. The legend of Kaluna

Name of school: Romaniv gymnasium Country: Ukraine Teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name: Iryna Hlopchyshyna email: irisha2703@yandex.ru Name of student who took part: Dasha Age of students: 13

Poverty Myth Poverty is a dwarf-stuffed creature. As it appears in the house, though the owner was the richest one, it is getting poorer, because poverty is the children of trouble. They settled, if the hostess left the dishes unwashed on the night, or if a stolen thing appeared in the house. So the saying was born: "Happiness is timely, and poverty is life". In antiquity, wishing for a man of evil, they said: - Let you beat the poor! According to folk beliefs, they lived in a house in a batch or under the stove, which was considered the center of the domestic economy where would have to live a house. Protections were protected by wreaths woven from the last field grasses and flowers.

Name of school: Romaniv gymnasium Country: Ukraine Teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name: Iryna Hlopchyshyna email: irisha2703@yandex.ru Name of student who took part: Dasha Age of students: 13

Why the dog lives around a man Legend For a long time, a single dog has lived for itself. Finally, he bothered him to roam himself in the woods, and he decided to find a friend and friend. But he wanted that his companion was the strongest of all animals. Forest animals asked him to go to the wolf. A dog went to him and said: "Wolf, brother, live together!" The wolf answered: - Why not! Started to live together. Once, as I spent the night in the woods, the dog heard a rustle and began to shake-fear. A wolf is awakened, and he says to him: "Be quiet, because the bear will come and eat us!" The dog then realized that the bear was stronger than the wolf. He went to the bear and said: "Bear, brother, live together!" "When together, then together," answered the bear.

It's been a short time. Once in the stars, the dog heard a rustle and began to fear. The bear was awakened and said: - Let's hide in the convoy, because another lion will come and split us both! Thought the dog that the lion should be stronger. He left the bear and went to the court of the king of the lion. - Lev, the lion, the king of beasts, live together! "I'll accept you for my servant," replied the lion. The dog stayed with him. One evening the dog started to fear and began to wince, barking. A lion ran out of the chamber and said to him: Keep it silent, for another person will come and shoot us both! The dog is silent, but guessed that a person should be stronger when her lion is afraid. A dog went to a man and got ready to serve her. Since then, the dog lives with a man.

Name of school: Liceul Teoretic Videle Country: Romania Teacher’s name: Rodica Ionescu e-mail: rodycaionescu.74@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Alexandra FLori Jerlaianu

Comic strips about "Why the dog lives around the man"

Name of school: Beylikdüzü American Culture College Country: Turkey Teacher’s name: Maria Yiğit email: mariayigit82@gmail.com Name of students who took part: Eylül, Ceylin, Şevval, Ergun, Murat Pupils dramatized the story and created a video (click on the photo)

Name of school: Romaniv gymnasium Country: Ukraine Teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name: Iryna Hlopchyshyna email: irisha2703@yandex.ru Name of student who took part: Dasha Age of students: 13

Earth Myth The Sokol-Rod sits on top of the Oka-Starodub and thinks the Duma. Long time.

A lot of time has passed. And then he said to Falcon Belobogov: "You are burrowing at the bottom of the lake and collect as much as you can sacred sand and disperse in its darkness, so that there is solidity."

Then Bilobog dived into the bottom of Lake Zhyva Voda, grabbed the sand in both hands, spit out of water and went black earth to sow with sand.

And where he sank - the earth with valleys and fields was formed.

Then Perun spoke to Falcon: "Great Rod, let me go and create Earth."

And Falcon said, "Go." And here Perun jumped to the bottom of the lake, typing in both handfuls of sacred sand, but only wanted to spit out, until the lake of the Living Water covered the thick ice. Then Chernobog crept to Vyria and frozen the lake. What to do Perunov? He sanded himself into his mouth, and in his hands grabbed the fire arrows from behind the belt and struck hard with ice, and even threw a zipper in Chernobog, burned it. Chernobog failed in the black abyss and started hanging there until the time. And Perun rushed to create the earth. And where he spit out sand from the mouth, the mountains were formed there.

Name of school: Romaniv gymnasium Country: Ukraine Teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name: Iryna Hlopchyshyna email: irisha2703@yandex.ru Name of student who took part: Diana Age of students: 13

The Legend of the Kaluna Girl Kalina gathered in the forest of berries and suddenly saw that the enemies - the Tatars go to the village. She got to the village and warned fellow villagers. Cossacks rushed boldly into battle, but many times there were more enemies - burned the village, and Kalina - a beautiful girlfriend captured. For announcing the village, they cut off her head, and a wonder-bush grew up in that place, which was named after the girl Kalina. People love and remember Kalina, and Kalina became a peculiar monument about the native land, a gaze of Ukrainians.

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Different formats found in the padlets NIOBE (unknown teacher or country) In Turkey, in Manisa, in mount Spiylus there's a rock that looks like a woman.

It has been associated with Niobe's legend since Antiquity Niobe was a daughter of Tantalus and of either Dione, the most frequently cited, or of Eurythemista or Euryanassa, and she was the sister of Pelops and Broteas, all of whom figure in Greek mythology.

It's believed that after she lost ll children, she turned to a rock. Everyone knows it's weeping rock.

Name of school: 3rd PRIMARY SCHOOL OF AGIOS NIKOLAOS Country: Greece Teacher’s name: Porgiazidou Argyro Age of students: 9-10 THE MYTH OF EUROPE "EUROPE AND THE BULL" (click on the photo)

Name of school: XXIX LO. LUBLIN Country: Poland Teacher’s name: Teresa Wisniewska email: teresap65@wp.pl Age of students: 14-15 Polish legends in a project UNIQUE YET THE SAME