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Implementation of the
Socrates Comenius “Children of Europe” project. Visit at Direzione Didattica Statale “Luigi Capuana” in Palermo, Sicily, Italy. - wersja polska - February 10 to February 17, 2008 - a group of Polish teachers and pupils from Primary School No. 46 in Bydgoszcz visited their partner school in Palermo. A group of Turkish teachers and pupils from the Konak Ulku Ilkogretim Okulu from Izmir arrived there, too. Our adventure started at Warsaw Okecie Airport. First, we went through the passport control, then we had a wonderful flight above the Alps to Rome and thence to Palermo. At Palermo Airport, we were cordially welcomed by the teachers, parents and pupils – having Polish and Turkish pupils as guests. We felt great at the Italian school. Pupils in blue white collar uniforms took care of their Polish and Turkish friends. We all admired their freedom of speech, their singing and drama skills. The pupils’ parents are hospitable, attentive and warmhearted people. We really appreciated that! The city of Palermo captivated us by its cultural and architectural diversity. Established in the 8th century B.C. by Phoenicians, it was one of the most often conquered metropolises. Phoenicians, Greeks, Roman, Arab people, Normans and Spaniards – they all wanted to govern the city which was situated in the centre of the Mediterranean world. It is still possible to come across some names of the streets written in Italian, Arabic and Hebrew. The High Street of Palermo is Corso Vittirio Emanuelle and it leads straight from Palazzo Normani and Nuova Porta – all the way to Porta Felice. Palermo – it is also a very beautiful Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, built on the area of the ancient Byzantine Basilica and Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele – the third biggest opera house in Europe. The Palermo district, in which the school at Via Alessio Narbone is situated, is a labyrinth of narrow streets full of rushing scooters, parked cars lining both sides of the street and passers-by squeezing on the pavements. During the trip to the Civic Museum in Terrasini we admired fine views of the city set at the Tyrrhenian Sea and surrounded by rocks. We were astonished by the houses built on the peaks of the hills. What a beautiful panorama extends over there! Last but not least, Sicilian delicacies are worth a mention. It is most appropriate to buy the foods on one of the three open-air markets, where the sellers recommend their goods out loud. Fresh fish, seafood, pesce spada (sword-fish), small sardines, silvery breams, aubergines, globe artichokes as well as tangerines can be found on the stalls. Everyday menu is mostly risotto vegetable rolls, seafood pastas as well as aubergines and tomatoes marinated in the olive oil. Palermo residents fancy potato or corn croquettes. We enjoyed these meals, too. They were often prepared by the parents of the Italian pupils. Molte grazie! Unfortunately, it was time to say goodbye. The pupils from Teatro della Scuola made a wonderful performance “In viaggio con la musica”. Among other recitations we could also hear a poem in honor of Pope John Paul II. Pupils from Turkey and Poland appeared in their national costumes. Turkish girls demonstrated the arrangement of rhythmic gymnastics. Polish group performed Trojak (a Silesian folk dance), Krakowiak dance and Polka dance. Everyone liked it! February 17, 2008 – Palermo Airport. Thanks and tears of emotion. We are saying Goodbye to great Palermo and its friendly residents, especially to the teachers and pupils of Direzione Didattica Statale „Luigi Capuana”. We would like to thank you all for your cordial welcome. See you in May in Poland in Primary School No. 46 in Bydgoszcz! Developed by Jadwiga Krobska Translated by Piotr Skladanowski 
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