Palermo May 2007Palermo May 2007the final meetingthe final meetingand concluding and concluding presentationspresentations

How it wasHow it wasWhat impact it made upon usWhat impact it made upon us

Sicily & Palermo as seen through Sicily & Palermo as seen through the eyes of other Europeansthe eyes of other Europeans

Acknowledgements/Acknowledgements/RingraziamentiRingraziamenti

The dissimination of resultsThe dissimination of resultsin the Palazzo Steriin the Palazzo Steri

the difficult preparationsthe difficult preparationsthe entrance of the flags of all the participantsthe entrance of the flags of all the participants

the openingthe opening

The magnificent Palazzo SteriThe magnificent Palazzo Sterithe struggle with the equipment, the audience the struggle with the equipment, the audience

and… an amazed watching daughterand… an amazed watching daughter

Some of the many SpeechesSome of the many Speechesthe headteacher, il Rettore, the chairman of the headteacher, il Rettore, the chairman of

the parents board, one of the Italian the parents board, one of the Italian studentsstudents

The presentations of the results of our work over 3 yearsThe presentations of the results of our work over 3 yearsby all the delegationsby all the delegations

+ the post event reports of+ the post event reports of all the meetings in posters and in all the meetings in posters and in p.p.p.p.

Before the presentations……Before the presentations……during the presentationsduring the presentations

and.... The Paparazziand.... The Paparazzi……

After many hours of hard work it was good to have a lunch in the After many hours of hard work it was good to have a lunch in the Palazzo finallyPalazzo finally

Presentation in the afternoon of the project Presentation in the afternoon of the project for the for the

Italian national Agency representativesItalian national Agency representativesin the Giardino Inglesein the Giardino Inglese

Presentation of the Project Presentation of the Project at the European Dayat the European Day

Each delegation in its own National Colour + Each delegation in its own National Colour + Speculum logoSpeculum logo

It was serious, fun and It was serious, fun and crowdedcrowded

in the Giardino Inglesein the Giardino Inglese

An interview for the local TVAn interview for the local TV

and two of the postersand two of the posters

A few more impressions of theA few more impressions of the European Day European Day

After all the presentations After all the presentations most of us could relax at most of us could relax at

Mondello BeachMondello Beachand the beach became coloured by our coloured shirtsand the beach became coloured by our coloured shirts

A A Gala DinnerGala Dinner at the at the Saracen Holiday ResortSaracen Holiday Resort on May 9 on May 9 after the European Dayafter the European Day

It was half way the week and we already had a farewell It was half way the week and we already had a farewell dinner because the Belgian delegation – partly – had to dinner because the Belgian delegation – partly – had to

gogo

It was a major event with a splendid It was a major event with a splendid dinner, many speeches……..dancing dinner, many speeches……..dancing

…….…….

and…. a………. BIG SURPRISEand…. a………. BIG SURPRISE

A phantastic cake in the shape and form of the Island of Sicily A phantastic cake in the shape and form of the Island of Sicily with the with the Etna Etna as a tower of as a tower of chocolatechocolate

and so the splendid party went on and on…. and so the splendid party went on and on…. near the Isola della Femminenear the Isola della Femmine

Where is Sicily’s most beautiful Where is Sicily’s most beautiful seashore??seashore??

Come and have a lookCome and have a lookIstituto “Luigi Einaudi” is your hostIstituto “Luigi Einaudi” is your host

Zingaro is a quiet Nature Reservepark Zingaro is a quiet Nature Reservepark with the cleanest seawater and the with the cleanest seawater and the

most amazing deep blue sky of Sicilymost amazing deep blue sky of Sicily

For the good sports after the museum there was For the good sports after the museum there was next the climb to the caves (the older generation) next the climb to the caves (the older generation)

and for the others... ..eh... and for the others... ..eh... Well...there was the just the sea of course ... all the Well...there was the just the sea of course ... all the

timetime

To see the difference there we also visited To see the difference there we also visited the sandy beach of San Vito lo Capothe sandy beach of San Vito lo Capo

and... Tasted one of the delights of the region:and... Tasted one of the delights of the region:Caldo e Freddo (a very special icecream)Caldo e Freddo (a very special icecream)

Visit to Agrigento,Visit to Agrigento,the Valley of the Templesthe Valley of the Temples

After a long, hot and dusty day there was After a long, hot and dusty day there was afterwards a refreshing plunge into the afterwards a refreshing plunge into the

waters of waters of San Leone BeachSan Leone Beach

The last day before departure:The last day before departure:a visit to the island of USTICAa visit to the island of USTICA

all the flags of all the participantsall the flags of all the participantsand an animated pledge for Ustica by the major and and an animated pledge for Ustica by the major and

his associateshis associates

Waiting for the ferryWaiting for the ferrya walking tour with explanations by the a walking tour with explanations by the

major around the islandmajor around the islandand the splendour of its blue watersand the splendour of its blue waters

Some more pictures of UsticaSome more pictures of Usticanote the white dot on top of the mountain on the right?note the white dot on top of the mountain on the right?

It is the CORK of Ustica... it is very important for the islandIt is the CORK of Ustica... it is very important for the islandif you take it away a volcanic eruption will occurif you take it away a volcanic eruption will occur

and the island is blown away...and the island is blown away...

Unfortunately one of these two gentlemen stepped upon a Unfortunately one of these two gentlemen stepped upon a sea-urchin and the other was caught by a jelly fishsea-urchin and the other was caught by a jelly fish

- why they always only get us - ?- why they always only get us - ?they asked themselvesthey asked themselves

While most of us prefered to stay on the island a few others enjoyed a While most of us prefered to stay on the island a few others enjoyed a boat tripboat trip

through the bottom of the boat one could gaze at the sea lifethrough the bottom of the boat one could gaze at the sea life

TravellingTravelling

the buses were always kindly provided for by the buses were always kindly provided for by the hosting schoolthe hosting school

…… there often was

lots of singing

- initiated by the coordinator –

but… sometimes one has to sleep

Eating and drinking is one the most interesting activities for Eating and drinking is one the most interesting activities for foreigners when visiting Italyforeigners when visiting Italy

the lunches had been provided for by the school and for the lunches had been provided for by the school and for dinner we always were their GUESTdinner we always were their GUEST

Such an untold and unbelievable HOSPITALITY...Such an untold and unbelievable HOSPITALITY...

OF COURSE OF COURSE TYPICALTYPICAL RESTAURANTS WERE CHOSENRESTAURANTS WERE CHOSEN

A TREAT AT SCHOOLA TREAT AT SCHOOLWITH OUR THANKS TO WITH OUR THANKS TO all all THE WONDERFUL THE WONDERFUL

Italian colleagues involvedItalian colleagues involved

While travelling there were many While travelling there were many couplescouples

Like these ….and….Like these ….and….

These...…loving couples... And..These...…loving couples... And..

……... singing and dancing ... singing and dancing couplescouples

And many walking couplesAnd many walking couples

Speeching and talking Speeching and talking couplescouples

The posing and eating The posing and eating couplescouples

And so on... And so forth...And so on... And so forth...

And many, many more...And many, many more...

There was lots of talking There was lots of talking and discussingand discussing

And time to look at some of And time to look at some of the marvels of Sicily’s naturethe marvels of Sicily’s nature

Some more of Nature that was interesting Some more of Nature that was interesting for us, for us,

people from the Northpeople from the North

Just a few Palermo snapshots Just a few Palermo snapshots by some visitorsby some visitors

And a few more… the last one is a And a few more… the last one is a view on the “piazza dei 13 vittime “ view on the “piazza dei 13 vittime “

where our hotel Ponte is located where our hotel Ponte is located

What you can do in PalermoWhat you can do in Palermo

The crazy traffic at day and night in Palermo is what amazes a The crazy traffic at day and night in Palermo is what amazes a visitor most -–visitor most -–

for us it is like looking at dodgems at a fair for us it is like looking at dodgems at a fairwe – as delegations - even made bets who would see an we – as delegations - even made bets who would see an

undamaged car first…undamaged car first…below at the right a car we think is typical for Palermobelow at the right a car we think is typical for Palermo

The story of our projectThe story of our project

•How did it start?

Take a hospitable Italian Take a hospitable Italian coordinatorcoordinator

A goodhearted Belgian A goodhearted Belgian partnerpartner

A sensible DutchmanA sensible Dutchman

Reliable PolishReliable Polish

A thoughtful PortugueseA thoughtful Portuguese

A wise LithuanianA wise Lithuanian

A diligent Turkish...A diligent Turkish...

And …. then you will have the team of this most wonderful, amazing and unique project

called “Speculum”

What made this 3 years Comenius What made this 3 years Comenius project so very unique?project so very unique?

• - there were 8 meetings• - we transported 102 teachers and 92 students• - we edited 6 on-line themes • and 8 post-event reports• - we made CDs, print outs, exhibitions and

interviews with the • local press• - the atmosphere was just great - in no project

there will have • been so much singing, dancing and laughing• - we have a high record of friendships that will • last also when the project is over

What made this last meeting in Palermo so very What made this last meeting in Palermo so very unique?unique?

•

There were more than 100 participants

Two farewell occasions with all that goes with it

Each delegation had its own dress and colour with the logo of the project

The Italian host provided a 100 Italian project shirts and caps for exchange

Involvement of the University, local press and the National Comenius Agency

Unique funds raising by the host and participation of companies so that all the delegations were treated as guests and hardly had to pay anything

All students were hosted for free at host families with the simple statement: “

friends are friends”

All of this has been for us foreigners an inconceivable and impressing lesson in hospitality and friendship...

And so – from the bottom of our hearts – we want to And so – from the bottom of our hearts – we want to thank the…thank the…

wonderful Italian students and their parents wonderful Italian students and their parentslike these 3 great guys who also taught us how to like these 3 great guys who also taught us how to

dancedance

Many thanks too Many thanks too to all the many Italian colleaguesto all the many Italian colleagues

• who served as taxi drivers, • computer assistants,• guides,

cooks, • dancing partners • And... pleasant

company

There are too many to picture and mention There are too many to picture and mention them all them all

special thanks go to Mrs. Rafti for facilitating special thanks go to Mrs. Rafti for facilitating this eventthis event

and being present at two important and being present at two important occasionsoccasions

Special Thanks go toSpecial Thanks go toLiaLia

MarilùMarilù

And… GiusiAnd… Giusi

all these wonderul woman we thank

for assistence in the organisation,

for their warmth and company

for patiently listening to all the many speeches and presentations

and for being there so often

AndAnd .. .. Of course Maria who did so Of course Maria who did so

muchmuch and always stays on the and always stays on the background and also manages to background and also manages to hardly get caught on a picture…hardly get caught on a picture…

Francesco for being the website masterFrancesco for being the website mastertaxi driver and a good companian who taxi driver and a good companian who

very frequently was therevery frequently was there

Mariarosa & Iole for their Mariarosa & Iole for their friendship and always being friendship and always being

therethere

The mayor of Ustica for his hospitality The mayor of Ustica for his hospitality and guided tourand guided tour

And of course...…And of course...…

• Our very special thanks to ...

• Ida• Who proved to be ...• A perfectionist in

organising• A wonderful

cheerleader• A multi speeches

miracle• The Mother of the project• And a warm personality

At the end there came the second and At the end there came the second and last goodbye occasion on the ferry last goodbye occasion on the ferry

boat from Usticaboat from Ustica again with many speeches and some again with many speeches and some

singingsinging

The hostess, the Italian students and all the guests tried to express in words their thanks and their feelings of frindship and gratitude

For us as guests it has been a lesson in hospitality and what multicultural friendship can be… We will never forget

!! Per noi era una lezione in ospitalita e amicizia multi

culturale !!Mille grazie a voi tutti …!!

The final Goodbye...The final Goodbye...

That last look could not be without That last look could not be without emotion…emotion…

Sicilia will be left to Sicilia will be left to itselfitself

And will look like the picture here And will look like the picture here below...below...

Now that we have left there is just …the brown of the mountains and

volcanic rocks …And the Mediterrean blue of the

waters and the sky…