The First Meeting-Visit a Fascinating Country: Italy

Let's join hands and hug Europe!
Türkkonut Emel Önal Primary School from Turkiye started the comenius project "Join Hands and Hug Europe" in September 2011 with the partner schools from Croatia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Italy.Our first meeting was in Italy , La Spezia /Vezzano Ligure  between the dates, 26th September  and 30th September.We got   very warm  welcome when  we arrived there.

In the first day , It was a pleasure to meet  our European colleagues and friends and our students also knew pleasantly each other. We tasted delicious National Cuisine of Italy and had fun  at dinner.We loved "Sgabei" ,the special dish of Vezzano Ligure Village. It has very close taste to our meal "Pişi". All people were quite friendly, kind and hospitable.We explored our similarities between Turkish and Italian cultures. 

Italian students greeted us with songs and flowers. After that , We strolled to the partner school's classrooms and participated the some activities.

Our smart student, Selim Can Kılıçaslan performed the piano recital.

Talented Italian students and their music teacher presented us a musical banquet.

The headteacher of Türkkonut Emel Önal Primary School , Kenan Karlıdağ made the national instrument, "Saz" show for kids.

In the second day  , we went to the medieval castle of  Fosdinovo near Sarzana which still belongs to the noble family , Malaspina.Dolphins are the symbol of the family. It was very interesting to learn that Dante Alighieri was hosted at the castel and his room has been protected.

Some legends are surrounding the castel even now. It is belived that the original bed of the Marquis Ippolito who died from drinking poison  breathes  and you can hear his heartbeats  from the knobs  of  the bed .We tried to hear the heartbeats ,it was an exciting experience. Another story was about  a girl, Bianca who was loved  by a young  man.But her family didn't accept their marriage. She was closed a tower with a dog and ate only bread and water. It was told that  she and her dog are still moving room by room in the castle. We managed to see some images as a water stain on the ceilling  which recognized Bianca and her dog.

Our last day activity was a trip to a very attractive region,Cinque Terre that is formed by five villages,Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Manarola, Vernazza, Monterosso. We were surprised that there was no car road. We could  reach the villages by train and by boat. People have been living there for 1000 years.Bright coloured buildings of villages are very caracteristic. The  magnificient scenery is  impressive. At night , We had a farewell dinner in Vezzano Ligure together.

We  have great memories.Bye Italy! Bye kind and hospitable  people !

Aslı Altan Altundal, English Teacher of Türkkonut Emel Önal  Primary School/Turkiye