MY CULTURE - YOUR CULTURE - OUR CULTURE Newsletter #2
ABOUT MCYCOC PROJECT The project deals with the exchange of cultural traditions of the various partner countries, namely Italy, Turkey, Greece, Portugal, Croatia and Romania.
ABOUT THE ITALIAN MEETING The Italian Meeting held by ''Istituto Istruzione Superiore Orso Mario Corbino'' (Partinico, Italy) from 25 to 29 March.
Its topic was the local dance, where each country has represented its own characteristic dance, with students dressed in traditional clothing: the result of research and study.
Guests had the opportunity to visit Palermo, Monreale, Agrigento, Sciacca, Erice, the salt flats of Mothia, Marsala, Terrasini, Balestrate and of course Partinico.
They were 5 very intense days, in which it was possible to confront each other on their own traditions, on cultural differences and on affinities.
But in the end, the tears of students and teachers have shown once again that cultural or religious differences cannot be an obstacle to peaceful coexistence, but rather are a source of cultural enrichment and friendship. PRESENTATION OF THE HOST AND GUESTS The welcoming programme was enriched with the listening of the national anthems of all the involved countries, by starting with anthem of Europe based on "Ode to Joy" from the final movement of Beethoven's 9th Symphony.
SICILIAN LANGUAGE WORKSHOP: KAHOOT! Sicilian language workshop consisted in translating and explanating some of main sicilian ways of saying to foreign students and teachers.
Lastly, by using the game-based learning platform Kahoot!, a challenge test of achievements was performed for students and teachers.
The winner of challenge has been the Romanian student Andra- Cristina Frunză who received as prize a Sicilian puppet.
VISIT OF CIVIC MUSEUM IN PARTINICO
Set up in the Municipal Library in the ancient convent of the Palazzo del Carmine, it consists of an archaeological section, with finds relating to a tomb kit from the 4th century BC found during excavations in the area, Greek- Roman and Norman tombstones, amphorae and a numismatic collection.
An ethnographic section preserves tools typical of the local agro-pastoral tradition and objects of daily life. HISTORY OF SICILY BY ITALIAN STUDENTS
Sicily has a rich history as well as a rich culture due to the many invasions in the course of centuries.
It was colonized by the Greeks, Romans, Carthaginians, Saracens, Normans, Swabians, French, and Spanish and each new invading force left its imprint, in its towns and cities, countryside, language and cuisine.
Sicily is a true melting-pot of diverse cultures.
ITALIAN AND FOREIGN DANCES FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS Croatian dances: Poskoci (Hops), Kalendari (Calendars), Dorat (Horse), Žito (Wheat) and Taraban (Kettledrum).
Portoguese dance: Abracinho.
Greek dance: Hasapiko.
Romanian dance: Bătuta din Dorohoi.
Turkish dance: Harmandali.
Italian dance: Contradanza
SICILIAN DANCE: CONTRADANZA LESSONS BY A DANCE TEACHER. The term contradanza comes from the English country dance, it was born in England as a folk dance and brings together two types of dance: the rounds and the long ways.
It spread to Sicily as a court dance of the kingdom of the two Sicilies in the XVII century and became one of the most successful social dances thanks to the possibility of dancing with more people and exchanging couples. PALERMO: ROYAL PALACE AND PALATINE CHAPEL
The Palace of the Normans or Royal Palace is a palace in Palermo.
It was the seat of the Kings of Sicily during the Norman domination and served afterwards as the main seat of power for the subsequent rulers of Sicily.
Currently, it is the seat of the Sicilian Regional Assembly. The building is the oldest royal residence in Europe.
In 1132 King Roger II added the famous Cappella Palatina to the complex.
CATHEDRAL OF PALERMO
As an architectural complex, it is characterized by the presence of different styles, due to a long history of additions, alterations and restorations, the last of which occurred in the 18th century.
Here are the remains of Emperor Henry VI, his son Frederick II, as well as those of Peter II of Sicily.
CATHEDRAL OF MONREALE
The cathedral of Monreale is one of the greatest extant examples of Norman architecture. It was begun in 1174 by William II and completed four years later.
The church is a national monument of Italy and one of the most important attractions of Sicily. VALLEY OF THE TEMPLES (AGRIGENTO) Valley of the Temples is an archaeological site in Agrigento (ancient Greek Akragas), Sicily. It is one of the most outstanding examples of Greater Greece art and architecture.
The term "valley" is a misnomer, the site being located on a ridge outside the town of Agrigento.
HISTORICAL TOWN OF ERICE The ancient Greek name of Erice was Eryx (Έρυξ in Greek), and its foundation was associated with the eponymous Greek hero Eryx.
It was not a Greek colony, as the Phoenicians founded it, but was largely Hellenized. It was destroyed in the First Punic War by the Carthaginians.
Eryx was conquered by the Aghlebids in 831 and was renamed as Cebel Hamid (meaning Mountain of Hamid). It was ruled by the Arabs until the Norman conquest.
In 1167 the Normans renamed it Monte San Giuliano, a name maintained until 1934.
SALINE MOTHIA AND MARSALA SHIP On the coastal strip between Trapani and Marsala since before the Roman domination in Sicily there have always been places where the collection and processing of salt marked the seasons: ''Le Saline''.
The Marsala Ship is the earliest warship known from archeological evidence. The Marsala Ship's "nationality" was painted on the sides with letters by its Punic builders from Carthage. PRESENTATION OF “OPERA DEI PUPI” (BY A STUDENT) AND DEMONSTRATION BY “PUPARO” INSIDE THE ''REAL CANTINA BORBONICA'' OF PARTINICO
KAHOOT TEST OF CULTURAL ACHIEVEMENTS FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS
A final test of cultural achievements has been performed by using the game-based learning platform Kahoot!
The winner of this last challenge has been the Croatian student Tomislav Marić who received as prize a bigger Sicilian puppet.
ATTENDANCE CERTIFICATES
On the last day of this mobility all the participants were greeted by the Mayor of Partinico and handed out certificates and gifts. ITALIAN AND FOREIGN DANCES ESIBITIONS INSIDE THE ''REAL CANTINA BORBONICA''
SICILIAN TRADITION SONGS After lunch, the music teacher, Tanino Gaglio and his guitar, cheered us with beautiful songs taken from the Sicilian tradition.
FAREWELL DINNER WITH MUSIC AND DANCE - EXHIBITION OF A FOLK GROUP We look forward to the next mobility that will be held in Portugal in May 2019.
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.