Saturday, December 19, 2009

Christmas wishes from Athens, Greece


The Greek team wishes to all partner schools "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" and good luck to our project

Friday, November 20, 2009

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Friday, October 9, 2009

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Monday, June 29, 2009

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Greek Quality Labels for this e-Twinning Project



Cork oak in Ancient History


In Ancient Egypt the cork was already used. Vessels with cork tops have been found in millenarian sarcophagus.
In Ancient Greece, cork was used to make balls for fishing nets, to make sandals and to cover wine and oil crocks.
The Greek philosopher Teofrasto (3rd century B.C) was the one who discovered that cork could be removed from the corkoak without damaging it. The Greeks used burnt cork to darken hair. In Efeso, a glass amphora from the 1st century B.C, containing wine and with a cork top has been found.
Romans also used cork. The agricultural technician, Lucio Columela (1st century B. C.), recommended cork to be used on making beehives. Because of its thermal isolation qualities, Plinius the Elder, wrote about the convenience of using cork on building houses.

(By the Spanish team)

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

One of the most modern parks in Paris


The Andre Citroen Park

It's a fourteen hectares park on the bank of the Seine. This amazing park was built on the former Citroen manufacturing automobile plant. It opened in 1992.
Its landscape designers are G. Clement and A. Provost and its architects are P. Berger, J-F Jodry and J-P Vignier.
People love wandering through this park and its serial gardens, children enjoy playing there and sporty people often go jogging in its alleys...

The oak and art

The oak and art

Oaks represent 35% of the trees in French woods. This is why one could suppose that Edouard Manet couldn't but paint oaks in one of his most famous paintings: "le Déjeuner sur l'herbe".



This oil on canvas measures 206 by 204,5 cm and can be admired in the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. "Le Luncheon on the Grass" was painted in 1862-3.
One should know that the juxtaposition of a female nude with two fully dressed men shocked the French public much at the time.

And yet, it inspired one of the most famous and talented painters of the last century i.e Pablo Picasso.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Once upon a time . . .

“The amazing journey” is a collaborative work.

The wonderful Teams’ members from all partner Schools have agreed, imagined and composed this unique, ambitious story, which presents the “Trees of friendship”, Nature and Environmental problems of Europe.
Enjoy their work efforts, sensitivity and productivity.


Once upon a time a plane tree, called Platan, all absorbed in thoughts
, was looking a the silent water of a Greek lake that was flowing near its roots and trying to wake up the little birds, which were still sleeping on its branches.
It was very sad, because the water of the lake and the nearby river was not clear and shining, as in the past. It felt sorry about all the plants and animals of the area and it swayed its branches in sorrow. A little homeless and friendless squirrel has told it all these bad news. Platan and the squirrel were trying to understand this human behavior in vain. They were thinking why men prefer the cement and pollution rather than the trees and fresh air. They couldn’t find any answers
Finally Platan got a nice idea: the little squirrel has to travel north towards the Balkan Peninsula, following the river Nestos upstream, in order to meet the old Platan’s friend, the wise Buk.
(The Greek team)

The squirrel asked her friend, another squirrel to go with her. They went north following the course of the river. They passed by many very different places:
polluted towns with high chimneys of big factories, clean forests and meadows.
The wise Buk was waiting for their arrival. The little birds, which were sleeping on the Platan’s branches had woken up and flown to the Buk before the squirrels.
The wise Buk was very old and told the squirrels that the nature wasn’t dirty when he was young. Then he remembered the beautiful Rila Mountain lakes which were still very clean. The Buk was very happy because the squirrels jumped and the birds sang on its branches. The song was about a beautiful Rowan tree with small red berries..
(The Bulgarian team)

Two little squirrels reached Poland just in the middle of spring, the most beautiful season of the year, when the trees start blossoming. Playing and running around they forgot about their mission for a while. But suddenly they recalled themselves how serious goal they have to get. The bees working hard in the orchard told them where to find Mr Wise, who knows everything. Mr Wise, the old owl, who was the most intelligent among the animals ware proud that the squirrels wanted his valuable advice. He lived in a hallow, scoped out in the rowan tree trunk. He told his guests about the environmental problems in Poland, about air and water pollution and how many people do not care about the nature, which is the highest value for all living creatures. But Mr Wise was full of hope as a young generation in Poland appeared to be clever and sensitive to nature. He asked the squirrels to travel along the river and meet his old friends, the Lime and the Oak, to share his opinion. ‘Maybe we could do something together?’ he said
(The Polish team)

Our friend the little squirrel was now in France and was looking forward to visiting its woods and parks. He had never been there before and was looking forward to visiting its woods and parks.
But it was already late and he had nowhere to sleep and nothing to eat.
Fortunately, the animals of the wood were very welcoming and a fox advised him to go and see the two-hundred-year-old oak that was the attendant of the wood.

The venerable oak kindly gave shelter to the worn-out squirrel that ate some of his delicious acorns. The oak was happy to do him a good turn though he was in low spirits.
As a matter of fact, the oak felt somewhat depressed. He told the squirrel how sad he was to witness how much men didn’t respect nature and its wonders.
The oak resented much heavy industrialisation and energy consumption which were to be blamed for air and water pollution.
The oak had seen men uproot thousands of trees. He wondered how men could have forgotten how useful trees were. Didn’t they know trees produce oxygen thanks to photosynthesis! Yet, the oak and the squirrel agreed on the fact that some French environmentalists did their best to encourage reforestation in developing countries. Men created green walls and roofs that may improve the air quality. The oak wanted to believe the younger generation would fight for nature and imagine green technologies to protect the
Earth!
(The French team)


The oak tree said him also:“You must look for the oldest national tree in the Czech republic“. The squirrels were desperate, because they didn´t know, what tree they have to look for and where they have to go. But little birds heard them and one of them was golden
nightingale, Karlik. They asked him: “Where is your nest?“. Karlik was vain and he didn´t want to tell them the way. The bee Maja disclosed it. „He lives on the oldest lime-tree in the Czech Paradise“, said Maja. So they set on the way to the ancient lime-tree and for the way to the Czech Paradise is very nice, they were happy, because they didn´t see any factories and idustry. Lime-tree welcomed them and it invited them to tea party. It was a magic lime-tree, but the squirrels didn´t know it. The squirrels told lime-tree all about their troubles and the lime-tree told them: „All will be better, wait. Take a cup of good lime tea.“. The squirrels soon fell asleep and they woke up near a big town. They were startled and they didn´t know, what they have to do. Two small children were walking around and they saw the dismayed squirrels on the ground. The children took the squirrels home and they took care about them. Squirrels recovered gradually and one day, when children spoke to them, the squirrels found that they can speak human´s language, because they drank lime tea! Squirrels and children became the best friends. The squirrels got an idea: „the children can help them with their problem!”
(The Czech team)

The squirrels told the children that they had to go on their journey looking for a big forest, where thousands of cork oaks lived but they didn’t know the way they had to follow. The children helped them. They used their computer to show the way to the South. It was a long distance but they were sure that the squirrels will manage to finish that adventure. So, they said goodbye to each other and continued traveling towards Spain.
When the squirrels arrived to the south of Spain, they saw a huge forest: a beautiful area rich in water, where a great variety of plants, trees a
nd animals could live happily. There, they met a stork who tell them that, as in many other places, men where damaging the environment, building roads and factories. The stork told that many trees had got ill and died because of pollution. It was a sad view. But the stork told the squirrels they shouldn’t lose hope, because some people were now sensitive to the environmental problems and they were trying to change. Using new energies or recycling paper, glass, plastic, tins...
And young generations seem to enjoy keeping in touch with Nature.
So the stork, said good-bye to the squirrels and flew over the magnificent oak trees
She felt hopeful and encouraged the squirrels to be optimistic about the future.

(The Spanish team)

ile he was in Spain he decided to have a voyage to China. On the last night he farewell the wonderful country and got lost us he was in the rhythms of flamenco dance a bit more than usually.He arrived at the airport late and confused as he was, he came to Cyprus instead of going to China.
His luggage was lost. This was really bad as he found himself in a tourist resort with palm trees and sandy beaches. He had a wonderful day, but at night he didn’t sleep in a hotel but under a carob-tree because he had not got any money. Even though, he had the most wonderful holiday in his life.
It became more interesting when he met an attractive turtle careta- careta. They fell in love and decided to travel together all over the Mediterranean Sea
.
(By the Cypriot team)

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Eco School in Bulgaria


We stayed in a small hotel in the village of Ognyanovo with a hot mineral swimming pool on the banks of a feeder of Mesta (Nestos) River.
On our way to Ognyanovo we stopped at Bansko. It is a town and ski resort in southwestern Bulgaria, located at the foot of Pirin at an altitude of 925 m above sea level.
On the second day we visited the Village of Leshten. It is situated in the Western Rhodopes with a beautiful view to Pirin Mountain. About 15 restored houses are in typical old Bulgarian Renaissance style.
On the third day we went to the monastery St.George near the village of Hadjidimovo and the town of Gotse Delchev which was founded in the 19 century. An old icon of St.George was found and the monastery was built. The town of Gotse Delchev has been at the same place since the10 century and was built near an old Roman town.
On our way back to Sofia we stopped at Blagoevgrad. It is located in the valley of the Struma River at the foot of Rila and Pirin Mountains. Bagoevgrad features a pedestrian downtown called Varosha with preserved 19th century architecture.
WE HAD A REALLY GREAT TIME!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Greek Easter

A rowan tree in art

The picture 'Jarzębina' was made by a priest, Marian Malarz, who was born in 1922 in Poland. The artist started painting in 1952. His passion is painting all types of flowers. He painted a lot of paintings showing flowers and one of them is this beautiful painting 'Jarzębina'. It was painted with oil paints and it shows bouquet of rowanberries. The colour of this work are gorgeous. These various and vivid colours make that smile appear on people's faces. The background is soft, muted, rather in dark colours. Applying those colours was a painter's goal to get observer’s attention focused on the main part of the painting – the bouquet of rowanberries. The author wanted to show us that living around flowers can be really amazing.

The painting 'Kobieta na tle gaju z jarzębiną' was painted
by Jacek Malczewski in 1917 in Poland. Its dimension are: 31,7 x 54,5. It was painted with oil paints on cardboard. It shows a mature, dreamy look woman who is having a rest in a grove overcrowded with rowan. She is savouring this beautiful place and the scent of the surroundings. She is wearing a modest white and blue dress. There is quite a big watch on her hand, which attracts our attention. She has a pleasant and calm look on her face and her hair is pinned up. She seems to be happy. The painting colours are subdued and calm but expressive. The painter perfectly presented that beautiful woman's feelings.

Greek Easter tradition


Sunday, April 12, 2009

Easter in Poland

Easter in Poland

Easter, also known as Pascha , the Feast of the Resurrection, the Sunday of the Resurrection, or Resurrection Day, is the most important religious celebration of the Christian liturgical year, observed between late March and late April. Before Easter a whole family clean the house. We bake cakes and we paint Easter eggs. Eggs which are painted in one color are called “kraszanki”. On Saturday people go to church with the small baskets to have the food blessed. In our baskets are: bread, eggs, some ham, horseradish, pepper, salt, cheese, butter or honey. After that, on Sunday morning everyone sits at the table and we eat traditional breakfast, we divide an egg and we wishes each other health, wealth and happiness. The beautifully laid table is covered with colored eggs, cold meats, coils of sausages, ham, yeast cakes, pound cakes, poppy-seed cakes, and in the middle of it all, a lamb made of sugar, commemorating the resurrected Christ. Horseradish was mixed with beets, “cwikla”, traditionally present on Polish Easter tables. Sharing a boiled egg with our relatives is a national tradition. A piece of egg with salt and pepper, consecrated by priest, is an inseparable accessory in the good wishes we extend to each other at Easter.
On Easter Monday there is a very ancient Easter tradition called “Smingus-Dyngus” – custom of pouring water on one another. "Smingus Dyngus" is celebrated in Poland on the first Monday after Easter. On this day boys sprinkle girls with water. It is said that girls who get caught and soaked with water will marry within the year. It's been suggested that this is the very reason why some girls make feeble attempts to escape the dousing. In that day everyone is wet. It is very funny celebration.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Happy Easter

The Greek team has painted these Easter cards in order to send to all partners its best wishes for "Happy Easter"

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Poland

Kuyavia (Polish: Kujawy) is a historical and ethnographical region in the center of Poland in the Greater Poland Lakes area. Kuyavia is situated in the basin in the middle of Vistula River and upper Noteć River, with its capital in Włocławek.
The etymology of the name Kuyavia was seen differently in history. The most probable explanation has been put forward by professor Stanisław Rospond who thinks the name Kuyavia derives from the words kui, kuiati, meaning: gale and also flat, dune land which was at the risk of this gale. Though, the etymology of the name Kuyavia is connected with the physiography of the land.
For the first time, the name Kuyavia appeared in written sources in 1136 in the Bull of Gniezno (Polish: Bulla Gniźnieńska, Latin: Ex commisso nobis. The Bull of Gniezno was issued by the Pope Innocent II.
Later, the name of the land was mentioned in many documents from medieval times. It is also mentioned in the chronicles of Wincenty Kadłubek.
The episcopal see of Kuyavia was Kruszwica, and later Włocławek (after the episcopal see in the early 12th century). The capital of this Duchy, and later (from 14th century until the year 1772) the residences of the governor was Inowrocław, Brzesć Kujawski, and Radziejów as a residence of the shared Regional Council of the Kuyavia provinces. Now, the biggest centres of Kuyavia is Bydgoszcz, Włocławek and Inowrocław. Also the southern part of Toruń (Podgórz) lies in the historical region of Kuyavia. This region is divides into White Kuyavia (west) with the capital in Inowrocław and Black Kuyavia (east) with the capital in Włocławek. The latin equivalent for Inowrocław delineates it as New Włocławek. The capital of Kuyavia is Włocławek.
Kuyavia lowland has an average high of 100-130 meters above sea level, is post-glacial landscape, slightly undulating, in some places there are moraine hills elevations and sandy gravel embankments. In deep dykes and depressions is about 600 lakes with surface higher than 1 kilometre, under ice formation there are layers of rock-salt and potassium, in the layers from the Tertiary Period there are layers of lignite and ceramic clay.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Friday, March 20, 2009

More about the beech tree

THE BEECH AND THE OTHER TREES
IT must surely be difficult to resist enthusiasm for beech trees when standing, at the close of April or beginning of May, under the young foliage of a Beech.
Belonging to the same family as the Oaks, the Beeches occur over a great part of the world. They are absent in Africa and in southern Asia; but clothe the hills alike of Japan, New Zealand, South Australia, Tasmania, Tierra del Fuego, North America, Norway, Spain, and Asia Minor, and Europe.
The Beech is generally fatal to grass, and injurious even to evergreens growing beneath it. The well-drained soil in which it delights is by it drained yet more thoroughly; so that it has a marked power of holding the ground against other species. This has earned for it the evil reputation of symbolizing selfish ambition, the ambition of a forest prince who, in his rivalry of the monarch Oak, "bears no rival near the throne." Though its leaves enrich the soil, this characteristic renders it perhaps better suited to the grove, the wilderness, or a corner of the park than to the garden lawn. Hollies and other evergreens, bracken and brambles will grow beneath its shade, and it must not be forgotten that it is a tree which, for the development of its highest beauty, should occupy an isolated position.
The woods of the East Beech and East Durmar are specific. They can be found mainly in the fresh places. The East Beech takes nearly 12% from a forest area of the Strandja mountain.One of the oldest Beech forest, which are situated on 22 000 acres, is situated in Bulgaria, in the Balkan mountain. It is the biggest and the oldest Beech forest in Europe.You can find the widest and the most beautiful Beech forest zone in Bulgaria near the town of Teteven. You should go there and see the beauty of the nature.
The team from Bulgaria

Welcome to Los Barrios: Spanish team's home place

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Beech tree in History / The Glozhene Monastery

There are a lot of beeches around a Glozhene monastery. The monastery is near to Glojene village and the river Vit. It is one of the oldest monasteries, but looks like a castle. The monastery is not big. The content is about church and room. Under the monastery have three stones which is made many difficult and beautifully monastery-castle.
According to the legend, the monastery was built in the 13th century when Ukrainian knyaz Georgi Glozh settled in the area. He helped the Bulgarian King to win a battle against the Byzantine Empire. The knyaz founded a monastery carrying the name of St. George, whose icon he had brought with himself. The icon then disappeared numerous times only to be found on a hill. Once it was found in a beech tree not far from the village.
The monastery was visited by our national hero Vasil Levski. He hid in tunnel of the monastery because the priest was his friend.
(The Bulgarian team)