// Project summary
"Diversity makes us richer" was a youth exchange that enabled 33 young people from Austria, Latvia, Armenia and Georgia to experience the diversity of European cultures and sharing their cultural heritage through traditional dances and folk songs, arts and crafts and national cusine. The project was concluded with a concert and an exhibition organized for the host community, in Armenia/Stepanavan.
The project date was 20.06.08 - 28.06.08
// SUPPORT ORGANISATION (Training)
The international department of Akzente Salzburg in Austria, was a great support for this project, - as well as in administrative as in organisational terms.
Akzente International supports people who want to take parte in international youth projects or start individual projects - as individuals, youth groups, youth workers, youth centers or multipliers. We mediate, advise, initiate, participate in differnt kinds of international and world wide projects.
www.akzente.net
http://www.akzente.net/fileadmin/allgemein/downloads/as_imagefolder_engl.pdf
posted by Verena Sommerauer on 29/12/2008
// ORGANISATIONS - the Armenian host (Event)
Stepanavan Youth Center (SYC) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization in Stepanavan, Armenia.
SYC was established in October 2001 by active young people of Stepanavan with the aim to assist in the development of their home town and country. The organization registered with the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia in June 2002.
While concentrating on local issues and challenges, we are actively working with international actors. Our main goals are to assist in the exchange of experience, knowledge and skills of young people from Stepanavan and Armenia with their peers across the world, increase information accessability and opportunities for cultural exchange
http://www.stepanavanyouthcenter.org/
posted by Verena Sommerauer on 28/12/2008
// ORGANISATIONS - the Austrian organisation (Event)
OBERALMER Heimat- Trachten- und Brauchtumsverein Barmstoana
We are a folk dance and traditional club in the village Oberalm next tosouth of Salzburg.
Purpose of the club ist the care for the folk culture, old traditions and rites in the region. We try to keep the traditional fashion alive, especially practice the local dancing tradition and music.
The club has 35 active members and about 100 inactive supporters in Oberalm.
We are proud, that our club has active dancers, mucisians, singers and actors from 15 to 80 so we integrate more than 3 generations of citizens of our village in the club.
posted by Verena Sommerauer on 28/12/2008
// ORGANIATIONS - the Georgian partner (Event)
The youth association DRONI (YAD) was established on the basis of the international Academy for Educational Development (2003) by young people with 5-6 years working experience in the NGO field. YAD is working mainly in the education field with different target groups (children, youth, students, refugees, IDP´s, etc). YAD is mostly focusing its activities to the Caucasian region and cooperates with different NGOs in Europe.
DRONI provides activities on:
civil and human rights education, peer education, youth policy development, conflict prevention and peace building.
www.droni.org.ge, association_droni@yahoo.com
posted by Verena Sommerauer on 28/12/2008
// ORGANISATIONS - the Latvian organisation (Event)
Association “Youth for Society” (YfS) as independent, non-governmental, non-profit, non-political organization was officially founded in September, 2006, proceeded from previous youth interest group in collaboration with youth branch of Nodibinājums “Ķenguru skola”.
The goal of the organization is to create an open society, and to help young people get involved in various activities. The main purpose is development of life-skills and abilities of rural children, youth and students, vulnerable groups; promotion and support for their growth and integration in social processes.
http://youthforsociety.org/wb/
posted by Verena Sommerauer on 28/12/2008
// PARTICIPANTS - Directly from the Northern Europe - Latvian group (Culture)
Santa Grinberga;
Katrīna Privka;
Liene Krauze;
Maija Ozola;
Reinis Klaužs ;
Uldis Sīpols ;
Mārcis Āboltiņš ,
Aivis Vanaģelis,
Mārtiņš Vesperis;
posted by Santa Grinberga on 27/12/2008
// PARTICIPANTS - Sparkling youth spirit - Austrian group (Culture)
Dominik Meier,
Daniela Walkner,
Maria Walkner,
Claudia K.,
Christoph Hirscher,
Christian Hager,
Markus Riedel,
Günter Berger,
posted by Santa Grinberga on 27/12/2008
// PARTICIPANTS - Caucasian neighbours - Georgian group (Culture)
Giorgi Jobava,
Beqa Goletiani,
Maiko Bochorishvili,
Ana Qimutsadze,
Bondo Todua,
Tengo Chijavadze,
posted by Santa Grinberga on 27/12/2008
// PARTICIPANTS - Much praised hospitality - Armenian group (Culture)
Lilit Simonyan,
Arsen Simonyan,
Nona Bagratunyan,
Artjom H.,
Arina Ayunts,
Artur Mirzoyan
Marta Kiszczak,
Margarita Harutyunyan,
Sona Zalinyan,
Narine Papyan,
posted by Santa Grinberga on 27/12/2008
// thank you!!!!!! (Event)
i wanted to thank everyone who was part of this great project!
i enjoyed some of the best time in my life and am grateful for all the experience and the friend i got to know! expecially the people in armenia who welcomed us so warmly! Maria from Austria
posted by maria on 10/09/2008
// Do you speak Armenian? (Training)
just to not forget :)
hello (informal) - barev
hello (formal) - barev dzez
what’s up? - inch ka chika?
how are you? (informal) - vonts es?
how are you? (formal) - vonts ek?
very well - shat lav
not bad - vochinch
good morning - bari luis
good evenign - bari yereko
good bye - ts’tesutyun
posted by Verena Sommerauer on 01/09/2008
// Maia - in memory of our Georgian friend (Event)
Dear participants of youth exchange, dear friends,
I do not know if all of you have been informed about the tragedy a week ago...
In Georgia in a terrible car accident died one of our friends Maia from the youth exchange "Diveristy makes us richer". It was unbelievable for everyone, and it is not fair that God has taken young person that could do many things in her life.
Let's keep the memories about her in a light and hope that she is in a better world!
In this tragedy we all are together in thoughts with our Georgian friends...
With condolence, Santa from Latvia
posted by Verena Sommerauer on 05/08/2008
// Friends forever (Event)
And most important of all – we made a lot of friends from all over Europe! Even today I still have contact to some of them, exchanging Emails regularly and calling them up every now and then. It is great to have friends from other cultures!
posted by Magdalena Mazgaj on 28/07/2008
// Go ahead! (Culture)
Bari luis, dear Armenian group! go ahead!!! with the pictures you posted every single moment of the exchanges passes by my mind again. here are more pictures :)
posted by Verena Sommerauer on 10/07/2008
// Remeber?... (Culture)
Just posting a few pictures... so that you don´t forget this great exchange!!
posted by maria on 02/07/2008
// Special thanks to Katharina! (Culture)
We had really a nice and a wonderful concert in Armenia!!! It was sooooooo great!!!!!!
Thank You very much for including us in the project!
Greetings still from Armenia,
Santa - Latvia
posted by Verena Sommerauer on 30/06/2008
// Feedback from participants (Party)
-I enjoyed the time in this project a lot, it was very funny and I like the people I met here a lot! It was really a great week, thank you!
-It was a perfect mixture of cultural activities to make youth sensitive on cultural issues and the concert was the perfect peak of the week!
-It was a great experience to participate in this project, the more because it was the first time for me to meet people from Latvia, Armenia and Georgia.
-It is great that there are such events and that we could participate. The cultures are really different. Nice groups and good ideas.
posted by Verena Sommerauer on 29/06/2008
// Evaluation results (Event)
Do you want to know what people found most impressive?
- Concert - 11
- Georgian dances - 6
- That all people so friendly and nice -6
- Show dancing and singing - 5
- Mountains - 3
- Free time - 1
- Enjoyed Vanadzor game -1
- Music - 1
- The “strong” cars - 2
- The food - 1
- New friends - 4
- All others - 2
- Night live - 1
posted by Verena Sommerauer on 28/06/2008
// Differences among cultures (Culture)
So, which differences could we figure out?
- dances (different moves and pace) - 7
- religious habits and traditions - 3
- food - 3
- songs - 3
- music - 3
- history - 3
- people - 2
- alcohol - 2
- habits - 2
- attitude for time -2
- different behavior - 1
- respect to others -1
- costumes - 1
- attitude for women -1
- celebrations -1
- hard to communicate with Eastern (Southern) countries -1
- the language -1
- the traffic -1
posted by Verena Sommerauer on 28/06/2008
// "Sunny" Daily Evaluations (Training)
Every day the participants were showing our emotions, satisfaction or homesickness in a special chart drawing weather signs. “Sun” meant happiness, “rainbow” was satisfaction, “snow” was calmness, “clouds” showed loneliness. Some of the participants were very creative and artistic and did nice drawings every day!
posted by Lilit Simonyan on 28/06/2008
// The Farewell Party and National Food (Diner)
The preparations for the farewell party started from early afternoon when all groups made preparations for the intercultural dinner cooking national food. It was so much fun to cook all together in the kitchen our national food and sharing it at the end of the program.
posted by Lilit Simonyan on 27/06/2008
// Our Participants (Culture)
...and here comes the list of participants
This list should help you to keep in touch with each other and not to forget our names too soon :)
posted by Verena Sommerauer on 27/06/2008
// Armenian barbeque - khorovadz (Diner)
Armenian national cuisine cannot be imagined without meat and its specialty – barbeque. In Armenian language it is called "khorovadz". Barbequed could be not only meat, but also vegetables - aubergines, paprica, tomatoes etc. It is eaten together with bread "lavash".
If in kitchen it is possible to see only women cooking, then khorovadz is prepared by men. Whole afternoon Armenian male participants were outside in courtyard and everybody was curious what is going on there. Well, the result was really tasty!
posted by Santa Grinberga on 27/06/2008
// Short-cut of traditional Latvian cuisine (Culture)
We all enjoyed the day of preparation our traditional specialities. "The best team-building is to put everbody in kitchen and let them to prepare food together". Here I am going to give you some feeds of Latvian cuisine.
Latvian foods are characteristically bland, without a use of strong spices, and have a reasonably high fat content. As a result of the territory of Latvia being ruled by the German aristocracy for seven centuries, Latvian peasants learned to use new ingredients and to prepare food in different ways. For example, one of the most popular Latvian foods today - sautéed sauerkraut - is a tradition inherited from the Germans.
In the 19th century the potatoe that came from North America was spreading quickly. It is believed that the most common meal for Latvian coastal fishing families in the 19th century was boiled potatoes with cottage cheese and herring or pilchards. Today potatoes, prepared in different ways, are still a very popular component of the Latvian diet.
Latvians have always been great fans of dairy products. Milk, rūgušpiens, cottage cheese, cream, cheese and butter and this tradition has continued. Latvians have always been able to find many delicious edible foods in the wild: foods that do not need to be cultivated, only gathered. Since long ago people in Latvia pick berries in the summer time, mushrooms and nuts in the autumn. Many Latvians like to eat honey, and bee-keeping traditions have developed over the centuries.
posted by Santa Grinberga on 27/06/2008
// Try yourself - Debesmanna (Diner)
Debessmanna (Whipped cranberry dessert with milk)
You will need: 75g cranberries (or other berries), 200g water, 50g sugar, 30g semolina.
Rinse cranberries. Crush and squeeze out juice. Place cranberry solids in a saucepan, cover with water, boil for five minutes and strain. Add sugar. Gradually add semolina, stirring constantly. Heat until semolina thickens, then add cranberry juice. Pour mixture into a bowl and cool rapidly. Whip mixture until it becomes light and airy and has doubled or tripled in volume. Serve in deep dessert dishes with cold milk.
posted by Santa Grinberga on 27/06/2008
// Art and crafts of our countries (Culture)
We taught each other how to prepare arts and crafts of our countries: creating pictures from straw, painting Easter Eggs, making a sophisticated female Georgian outfit from playing cards, and Christmas decorations.
posted by Lilit Simonyan on 26/06/2008
// Colouring Easter eggs (Training)
At the time of the spring solstice, or Easter, food stores would usually have been running low, so eggs were saved for some time before Easter. Boiled eggs coloured with brown onion skins and decorated with scratched designs have been the main Easter food for many centuries. It's a Latvian tradition to decorate Easter eggs using onion peels. It's an age-old technique that stains the eggs. Many are brown in colour as the eggs are boiled in onion skins. A green colour in the eggs shows that they were boiled with the leaves from birch tree branches. Many times the eggs are wrapped in such things as yarn, grass, dried heather, lingo berry leaves or grains. Generally the eggs are coloured with dried blueberries.
posted by Santa Grinberga on 26/06/2008
// Making pictures of straw (Training)
In the afternoon we had the chance to make our own piece of art. Local specialist came to show us how to make pictures from straw. First of all we did frames for each of us where the picture will be filled in. After that the most patient participants finished with creative ideas of their works – birds, butterflies, fruits, symbols and different other nice pictures. It was not only serious preparation, but also fun with the colours :)
posted by Santa Grinberga on 26/06/2008
// Final concert (Culture)
The last day was the main preparation day for the concert. We selected the dances, and presented them to the whole group. There were rehearsals and preparations the whole day. We also asked the Armenian dance group Kochari to act in the concert with us.
The concert was definitely the culmination of the project! Two local dance groups – Ani and Tatev – came to greet us and performed their dances. The public showed great interest in international dances. This was a unique opportunity for the public in Lori region to see dances of other nations. The local TV channel broadcasted news about the concert, newspapers had small headlines about the event. The people of Lori talked about our concert even days afterwards!
posted by Magdalena Mazgaj on 25/06/2008
// City Hunting Game (Culture)
A very interesting and much liked activity was the city hunting game which was an excellent opportunity for us to get acquainted with Armenian culture through talking to locals on the streets of Vanadzor. Also we were making posters for locals to express our concerns and ideas about gender roles and stereotypes.
posted by Magdalena Mazgaj on 25/06/2008
// Poster (Event)
Posters of the concert in Vanadzor were posted in the city informing of the upcoming event.
posted by Lilit Simonyan on 24/06/2008
// Festivities and Celebrations in our countries (Culture)
We created a nice calendar with all holidays and festivities of our countries on it. Armenians drew some posters and Austrians did mask and demonstrations, Latvians and Georgians used a lot of historical information. Presentations were informative and interactive, we shared about common and learnt about different celebrations.
posted by Lilit Simonyan on 23/06/2008
// Summer Solstice (Latvian festivity) (Event)
The third day of the project we celebrated Summer Solstice, the Latvian summer festivity. Preparations started in the morning of the day with collection of flowers, making of coronals and celebration took place in the evening with the bonfire, Latvian treats and songs.
Here is some information about the holiday: Jani are being celebrated on the eve of the 23rd of June. That is the time when people mark the day which is the longest in the year and has the shortest night. The preparation for this night starts a few weeks earlier: people start brewing their own beer and making their own cheese as well as baking rye-bread. On the morning of Janu day people get up early in the morning and start singing songs to chase away the evil spirits. People go in the fields and gather different flowers and tree branches which are used to make coronals. After nightfall fireplaces are being prepared so that the evil spirits can’t do any harm on this night. During the night people sing songs, dance and play games till dawn. During Jani people go in the forest in search of the brake flower, because it is believed that the brake blossoms in this night.
posted by Lilit Simonyan on 23/06/2008
// A day of dancing & celebration traditions (Culture)
On the 3rd day we concentrated on traditional dances and festivities & celebrations. We made a small calendar of holidays and celebrations of participating countries emphasizing differences and similarities. 23 June was a Midsummer Solstice Festival in Latvia, we could feel the real traditional celebration in the evening.
The dancing part of the day aimed to provide a possibility for us to learn some elements of dances of different countries. Latvian polka steps were easy to learn, Armenian movements we had to remember for the last performance in the concert. The most enjoyable were Georgian dances with difficult steps that everyone tried, however no one could be so virtuous in movements as Beqa.
However, for Latvian girls the most attractive seemed Austrian dances with clapping. They learnt pas quickly and exhausted Austrian boys that after several “noch einmal” gave up and admitted – Latvian girls are tough! After this, we were ready to prepare a dancing concert for a big audience that took place in 2 days!
posted by Magdalena Mazgaj on 23/06/2008
// Jani cheese - how is it prepared? (Culture)
If you want to have traditional Latvian specialty, please follow these directions :)
You will need:1kg skim milk dry cottage cheese, 5l milk, 100g sour cream, 2 eggs, 100g butter, salt, caraway seeds.
Heat milk, stirring occasionally, until the temperature reaches 90-95 °C. Grind or process cottage cheese and add to milk. If the cottage cheese is sweet, mix with ruguspiens (curdled milk) for the whey to separate more easily. Continue to heat at 85-90 °C for 10-15 minutes. When a clear whey separates, remove from heat, and allow cheese to sit. Pour off liquid. Place cheese into a dampened linen cloth. Holding corners of the cloth together, roll cheese back and forth to allow any extra liquid to separate out before the cheese cools down. Put cheese in a bowl. Mix sour cream with eggs, salt and caraway seeds and gradually add to cheese, mixing with a wooden spoon. Add the mixture to a saucepan with melted butter, and stir continuously over a low flame for 10-15 minutes, until cheese is smooth and shiny, and has a temperature of 75-80 °C. (The lower the temperature and shorter the heating time, the softer and more crumbly the cheese will be. A higher temperature and a longer heating time will make the cheese harder). Place cheese in a dampened linen cloth. Gather corners of the cloth together and tie, smooth out any folds, and place under a weight in the refrigerator. When cheese is cool, remove from cloth, place on a shallow dish and slice. Jani cheese is served with butter or honey or as a snack with beer. If you wish to store the cheese for a longer period, rub with salt, wrap in paper or plastic wrap and store in a cool, dry place. The cheese can also be spread with butter and baked in a hot oven until brown.
posted by Santa Grinberga on 23/06/2008
// We did make traditional Midsummer wreaths (Culture)
During the day some of Latvian participants - Liene, Mārcis and Uldis - made everybody curios preparing wreaths of flowers and oak leaves. What was it for? - you may ask...
All of the herbs and flowers collected at Midsummer (Jāņi) are known as Jāņi-herbs, and the day before Midsummer is often known as Herb Day. During this time the collected herbs and roots are attributed special healing power, which is useful for healing both people and livestock. Midsummer herbs are plaited in wreaths and included in bouquets. Women and girls make wreaths for all celebrants to wear. Women traditionally wear flower wreaths while those worn by men are made of oak leaves or twigs.
posted by Santa Grinberga on 23/06/2008
// We had traditional Latvian cheese and beer (Culture)
Latvian group had prepare for the celebration even before the youth exchange. Santa and Mārtiņš had brought home-made caraway cheese and Aivis hosted everybody with one of the best Latvian beers "Bauskas". What do traditions say about it?
For the Midsummer celebration, the mistress makes cheese, but the master brews beer. All the celebrants are treated with them. With the cheese wheel and the beer mug come the blessings of nature and God, but the songs, dances, and rituals of the Midsummer "children" in turn bring blessings to everything and everyone to whom songs are addressed.
posted by Santa Grinberga on 23/06/2008
// Ligo, ligo - we did learn and sing (Culture)
The most colorful Midsummer traditions are the ligotne-songs - Midsummer folk songs with a characteristic refrain - ligo, ligo. Several thousand songs sing about Saule (Sun), the sky son Janis, the hosts of each farmstead - "mother" and "father" of Midsummer, and the Janis children - the celebrants who go from farm to farm singing and bringing blessings with their songs, picking Jani-herbs along the road.
In the morning we all together learn few traditional Ligo songs to perform. Everybody got acquinted with this tradition excellent. We had to wait for the evening to show what we know. However, Latvians made another surprising step when they started to sing. The Latvian songs sometimes turn into friendly griping, somewhat akin to ancient Latvian "hip-hop battles" on a more friendly level. For example, one person might sing, "You have a very nice dress today, but those shoes are old and worn out and look awful." The other person would then respond with something like, "You have a very nice voice and a nice mouth, but your tongue is too sharp." So, it happened as well for this time - all leaders were teased in Ligo songs. Later on Georgians caught the spirit and started the "battle of chaffing" with Latvians :)
posted by Santa Grinberga on 23/06/2008
// No celebration without bonfire - we had it (Culture)
The most important and widespread Midsummer tradition is the lighting of huge bonfires. Thanks to Arsen, we had one in courtyard of the hotel. It was quite impressive and warmed us for several ours of celebration. And we used it also for another tradition - jumping over.
The bonfires which dot the countryside are believed to have purifying powers and are used for a number of different traditions surrounding the holiday. In Latvia, at least some of the bonfires should be built on top of a “mountain” (the term has to be used loosely since the highest hill in Latvia is only about 312 meters), or failing that a wheel soaked in tar and wrapped with straw is lit and raised to the top of a tall pole. Tradition has it that young couples soon to be married jump over the fire together, or young suitors jump over in hopes of finding a bride.
posted by Santa Grinberga on 23/06/2008
// Tradition that we did not introduce ...but we are not sure if somebody did :) (Culture)
Another popular thing to search for is the mystical (and non-existent) fern blossom. Whoever finds the fern blossom, which only blooms at midnight on midsummer, will supposedly be rich, prosperous, happy and healthy for the rest of their life, and will also gain the ability to understand birds and other creatures. Often these forays into the wilderness and the thrill of the hunt lead to relationships – particularly those of the passionate and short-lived variety – between young men and women.
We are not informed about it, but maybe during the shortest night somebody found this "mythical flower" in the middle of Caucasus :)
posted by Santa Grinberga on 23/06/2008
// Presenting where we come from (Culture)
During the project we had the opportunity to present our home country’s cultural identity with others through sharing national food and drinks, cooking national dishes and even showing pictures in Powerpoint presentations. Intercultural evening improved its name and we go to know about 4 different cultures in Europe.
Did you know why Latvian churches instead of cross have rooster? It is because of pagan traditions – Latvians believe that with the morning song of rooster the light is called and evil disappears with the darkness.
Did you know the charm of Salzburg? It was shown in small videos by Austrian group. By the way the story one of the most beautiful films ever “Sounds of Music” takes place in this wonderful place.
Did you know about wonderful Georgian dances? We had the chance to see them in all virtuosity by one of the famous Georgian groups prepared in special presentation video.
Did you know that Armenians were the first to accept Christianity? It was in 301 AD, when Etchmiadzin become the sacral centre of all Armenians.
posted by Magdalena Mazgaj on 22/06/2008
// We know how to sing in 4 languages (Culture)
Austrian song
Mei Huat der hat drei Lecha
Drei Lecha hat mei Huat
Und hetta net drei Lecha
Don wara net mei Huat
Latvian song – Zemenes
Kopš bērnu dienām tevi zinu es
Mēs gandrīz katru dienu bijām kopā
Gan uz skolas sola, gan uz tāfeles
Kā mācēju, es rakstu tavu vārdu
Pēdējo reiz, kā gribētos ar tevi atkal kopā
Pēdējo reiz būt mūsu pielijušā vasarā
Vai atceries kā uzsmaidīja gaiss
Kā lietū gājām lasīt zemenes
Kā aizgājām no stundām kopā mēs
Un skūpstījāmies tad zem ābeles
Pēdējo reiz...
Viss kārtībā, zied atkal zemenes
Un mūsu bērni tagad vienā klasē
Tu vienmēr būsi mana meitene
No mūsu pielijušās vasaras
Pēdējo reiz...
Armenian song
Na e im miak miak im sere
Yev izur er dzer datark xosquery
Duk asum ek indz vor na anhan e
Yes asum em dzez da datark ban e
Sirum em nran u verg isk duq
Bambasum eq anendmej isk duq
Bambasum eq anendmej
Anendmej
Georgian song – Tbiliso
Netav sad aris kidevca
udzirod lurji khalasi
stsored iseti rogorc shenia
naiarevi tsarsuli
nangrevi narikalasi
chagarasavit schemomrcbeaia
Tbiliso mzis da vardebis
mkhareoo ushenot
sitsotskles ar minda
sad aris skhvagan akhali varazi
posted by Santa Grinberga on 22/06/2008
// Intercultural communication (Culture)
The project started with a group activity which enabled us to express our general idea about culture and make a definition of the term, which involved a lot of discussion. In order to develop a sense of cultural identity and its importance we played a fun game called “Three Cultures”.
Now, we'll tell you the simulation game. First, we had to be divided into 3 groups – green, blue and red. OK, simulation can start.
The story was: On the occasion of new courses in youth policies in the world, delegations from all countries came to participate in World Student Conference with name: “Students' Movement and Building Democracy”. After you came to the airport, organisers of the conference are waiting for you and direct you into the Main Hall to meet other two delegations with whom you are supposed to cooperate closely during the conference. During that meeting, your task will be to choose 5 persons in total who will represent your 3 delegations in the Main board of the conference. So out of the three groups, only 5 people can be chosen to represent you.
Then we went with our group in separate rooms and worked with specific instructions 30-40 minutes to prepare. We had to represent all characteristics of our culture not by talking about them but through behaviour, way of touching/or not touching people, way of talking etc. We made costumes, gave ourselves names and practiced being in our culture. We also had to decide on the strategy of choosing those 5 representatives and how many representatives from our group we would like to have. We explored cultural differences and our emotions/behaviours when we meet differences.
posted by Magdalena Mazgaj on 22/06/2008
// Singing Cultures (Culture)
The afternoon part of the 2nd day was named "Let's sing together". Participants taught and learnt Austrian, Latvian, Armenian and Georgian songs. You can learn at least lyrics in the post below and sing with us! :)
posted by Magdalena Mazgaj on 22/06/2008
// International Buffet (Diner)
The dinner was added with some treats and food from different countries. Armenia presented lavash, basturma and local cheese. Austrians had brought ham, special cakes and sweets and Red Bull energy drink. Did you know that Red Bull is owned by Austrians? For many of us it was surprise! :) And wonderful Georgian churchela – sweet sausage made of grape juice and nuts. Latvians had with them several types of typical cheese and rye bread. More of Latvian specialities we tasted in the celebration of Midsummer Festival on 23rd June.
posted by Magdalena Mazgaj on 22/06/2008
// What is this thing called culture? (Training)
Defining Culture.
The aim: Creating a common understanding of what culture is… and of what it is not
Description: Split participants into groups and give each group an envelope with the words. Ask them to agree on a definition of culture using the words they are given. They have 20 minutes to agree. The participants present their definitions written on a flip-chart.
Words to use: culture, different, is, common, stable, and, the, from, values, attitudes, other, regulations, rules, rituals, religion, norms, opinions, generation, or, race, shared, unchangeable, group, opposite, things, these, are, the ones, in, groups, or, nations, culture, passed, is, genes, from, thus, on, generation, to, history, through, and, learning, socialisation, and, is, the, of, nature.
posted by Santa Grinberga on 22/06/2008
// Food (Diner)
The food was organized in the hotel and many of us got to know absolutely new dishes and tastes, as well as serving habits. It was not as traditionally in Europe that everyone receives its own portion; in Stepanavan 6-7 people were sitting together and could help themselves to share the food from the pots and plates served on a table. We had tomatoes and cucumber every day and with every meal :)
posted by Magdalena Mazgaj on 21/06/2008
// Arrival and Hotel (Event)
The Armenian organizers were responsible for logistics and practical issues. We, the participants, were picked up at the airport and the travel to Stepanavan was organized. The event took place in a very nice hotel "Lori", named after the region we stayed, that gave us excellent facilities to do activities, to use recreation center for free and enjoy the project.
Participants arrived in different times. Latvian group was the first one coming from Riga and it had explored Stepanavan already for 1 day when the others came there. Austrians had not enough rest in the day when project started, because they had night-flight from Vienna to Yerevan. Georgian group arrived by minibus from Tbilisi at lunch time. Armenians joined us during the day. Aaaaaand... the project could start!
posted by Magdalena Mazgaj on 20/06/2008
// The program (Training)
Hello, dear participants of the youth exchange "Diversity makes us richer", here comes the programme
1st day, 21st of June – Knowing each other
Arrival of Participants, Official Welcoming, Program Presentation, Ice Breaking, Name Games
Expectations and Fears, Team Building games, Game on Stereotypes
2nd day, 22nd of June - The magic word "culture", let’s sing!
Magic Word “Culture”, Group Discussions on What Culture Is and How It Affects Our Lives
Simulation Game “Three Cultures”; Let’s Sing! Austrian, Armenian, Georgian and Latvian Songs; International Buffet; Intercultural Evening – Sharing Cultural Heritaga
3rd day, 23rd of June – Festivities and dances
Start of the Midsummer Festival; Celebrations and Festivities of Countries
Traditional Austrian, Armenian, Georgian and Latvian Dances
Celebration of the Midsummer Festival in Latvian Traditions and with Latvian Food
4th day, 24th of June – Let’s dance!
Dancing and Preparation for Concert; Choice of Dances; Free time
5th day, 25th of June - Exploring Armenia, concert
Excursion to the City Vanadzor; City Discovery Game in Small Groups; Rehearsal for the Concert; The Concert
6th day, 26th of June – European arts and crafts
Presentation of City Discovery Results; Making Straw Objects (Austria); Creating Costume of Playing Cards (Georgia); Painting Easter Eggs (Latvia); Making Pictures of Straw (Armenia)
7th day, 27th of June – National cuisine, evaluation
Excursion to Lori Berd Fortress; Final Evaluation; Cooking National Food
Farewell Party
8th day, 28th of June – Final day
Saying Goodbye; Departure of Participants
and in between you will enjoy many breakfasts, lunches, dinners and talkative coffee breaks :)
posted by Verena Sommerauer on 09/06/2008
// This is where we are going to go (Culture)
Colourful Armenia -
it is said that... the colours of the flag represent the colours of the rainbow based on the premise that God gave the Armenian flag on the very day when the colours of the rainbow bathed the Ark of Noah on Mount Ararat.
posted by Verena Sommerauer on 07/06/2008
// Where is this country called Armenia? (Culture)
Armenia – or shall we rather call it: Hayastan, or use the official title Republic of Armenia - Hayastani Hanrapetutsyun, :)
In whatever case this wonderful country is a landlocked mountainous country in South Caucasus between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. It borders Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, Azerbaijan to the east, and Iran and the Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan to the south.
posted by Verena Sommerauer on 06/06/2008