Swiebodzice meeting (October 2019)
International languages
There are few spoken languages which are truly and thoroughly universal. When it comes to other languages than the spoken ones the situation is profoundly different: dance, music, visual arts and various social structures are truly understood everywhere - at least to a certain extent.
The meeting in Poland was about dance. Rural dances, a mix of different styles of contemporary dances, TikTok moves. It was all there.
It was really nice to see students of from different countries, age groups, levels of skills etc. be so joyfully together discussing in the language of dance.
When visiting Poland its imminent that history is always an important part of the cultural experience. And so it was:
Battles, castles, fortesses.
This part is mainly a history of politics, but politics are not only history: We visited Poland just a few days before parliamentary elections. The political tensions and exitement could almost be touched. Interisting even as such, Wroclaw has possibly the smallest significant tourist attraction in the world: The gnomes of Wroclaw. But - as we were told - these fascinating little fellows have a political connection: The statues have their roots in anti-Soviet movement in 1980's - the Orange Alternative.
Which also was really interesting to see and to experice was the strong stress on science: Science has suprisingly significant role in the history of Poland and - what is even more elevating - it is very determinently marketed to young people. We visited marvellous exhibition at Hydropolis in Wroclaw. What really was something to think about was that how it is even possible to not have something alike at home? We as Kuopio citizens live by, in the middle and because of water.
The interaction and the joy of learning by doing is something that makes these projects worth doing - despite of the workload and time consumed way beyond any reasonable amount of hours. The greatest reward lies, of course, somewhere in the blurry future, but such moments of sharing are something to cherish.
We are grateful for the amazing teachers and students in Swiebodzice for all the organizational work, great hospitality, friendship and spirit of Song Of Joy!
For the behalf of the whole team visiting Swiebodzice during in October 2019,
Jarkko Virtanen & Aino Haikola-Pekkarinen, teachers
PS: These projects would not happen, if there were no students taking responsibility, giving their time and effort for common good.
We had an exceptionally motivated, amazing group of young people traveling with us. We are more than happy to have had a this possibility to spend this special week with you!
The meeting in Poland was about dance. Rural dances, a mix of different styles of contemporary dances, TikTok moves. It was all there.
It was really nice to see students of from different countries, age groups, levels of skills etc. be so joyfully together discussing in the language of dance.
When visiting Poland its imminent that history is always an important part of the cultural experience. And so it was:
Battles, castles, fortesses.
This part is mainly a history of politics, but politics are not only history: We visited Poland just a few days before parliamentary elections. The political tensions and exitement could almost be touched. Interisting even as such, Wroclaw has possibly the smallest significant tourist attraction in the world: The gnomes of Wroclaw. But - as we were told - these fascinating little fellows have a political connection: The statues have their roots in anti-Soviet movement in 1980's - the Orange Alternative.
Which also was really interesting to see and to experice was the strong stress on science: Science has suprisingly significant role in the history of Poland and - what is even more elevating - it is very determinently marketed to young people. We visited marvellous exhibition at Hydropolis in Wroclaw. What really was something to think about was that how it is even possible to not have something alike at home? We as Kuopio citizens live by, in the middle and because of water.
The interaction and the joy of learning by doing is something that makes these projects worth doing - despite of the workload and time consumed way beyond any reasonable amount of hours. The greatest reward lies, of course, somewhere in the blurry future, but such moments of sharing are something to cherish.
We are grateful for the amazing teachers and students in Swiebodzice for all the organizational work, great hospitality, friendship and spirit of Song Of Joy!
For the behalf of the whole team visiting Swiebodzice during in October 2019,
Jarkko Virtanen & Aino Haikola-Pekkarinen, teachers
PS: These projects would not happen, if there were no students taking responsibility, giving their time and effort for common good.
We had an exceptionally motivated, amazing group of young people traveling with us. We are more than happy to have had a this possibility to spend this special week with you!