12 Unna/Latina/Krzyżowa | ewoca³ Live

Moral courage

(Photo by Stefano)

Mood: Thoughtful
Weather: 20 degrees, windy.
Polish word of the day: Smacznego!

While we are living a relatively unburdened life here, in the last few days horrible news from other parts of Europe are reaching us. We mourned with our French friends for the victims of the terrorist attack in Nice – and since yesterday also mourn with our Turkish friends for all the innocent victims of the coup attempt. This shows, once more, how important it is for our school to take part in ewoca³ and how important it is to be actively supporting freedom, the great European idea, and peace among the peoples.

Not only the events around us, but also the topic of the fourth day are making us thoughtful. The day commenced at 9:30 with a theatre workshop on the topic of “moral courage”.

In our group, we discussed possibilities to become aware of social exclusion and discrimination – and how to deal with this. Thus prepared, in the afternoon, we visited Groß-Rosen, a concentration camp of the German National Socialists. For three hours we took a guided tour of the camp area. For many this was very touching; it is something very different to hear about the crimes of National Socialists in school, or to experience for oneself how inhumane the situation had to be here in the past. Between 1940 and 1945 a total of 130’000 people were imprisoned in Groß-Rosen concentration camp, about 40’000 of these were murdered.

These horrible impressions and the question of “How the hell could something like this happen in the first place?” were etched into our faces. In the evening, within our national groups, there was a long and emotional evaluation of the impressions we gathered in Groß-Rosen. The talks continued at the campfire into the night, and the mood for today was cloudy.

A special and important day

Saturday, 16th of July

Today was a special and important day.

We started with breakfast and we had an activity all together. In the morning we did an activity related to theatre. We have seen that in discriminatory situation we have different reactions and sometimes we don’t react for changing the situation. We so reflected about our personal responsibility and civil courage.

After lunch and we moved to Gross – Rosen, a concentration camp. This visit was really interesting and it touched us deeply. It left us a lot of emotions and reflections.

After this visit we came back to Krzyzowa and we had a reflection groups where we show the others our works about the visit of Gross Rosen.

We talked about reflections, emotions and feelings and we expressed them trough draws…

At the end of the day we had a bonfire night and we had a lot of fun together .

Chiara

Discover and Integration

The second day of our camp was dedicated to the topic of diversity and to discover the history of Krzyzowa.

We started as usual by presenting the program and after a warm up, where we were samurai and ninja, we entered in the main topic of diversity.

We had an activity where we shared some questions about diversity and our knowledge about jewish culture.

We discovered many things that we didn’t know of ourselves like the origins of our family, our traditions (for some of us were the same, for some others were completely different), we also find out that we don’t know so much about Jewish culture and their tradition. Then with another activity we match our birth dates with the Jewish calendar and when they celebrate feasts.

It was interesting to see that there are so many historical events that they celebrate. After this excercise we watched a video that showed us how close we are, even if we live in different countries. There were people that offer themselves to make a map of their DNA and check where they come from…they discovered that their origins are very far and different and even if we live in a country, we are really close to each other. The video promotes the integration of human beings and that we are all equal.

Of course, we also did the secret friends game…during this 2 weeks we have to take care of one of the participants (in a secret way) by give him\her little gifts.

In the afternoon we visit the house on the hill of Krzyzowa. It was the residence of the owner of the Krzyzowa farm and during the Nazi period it was the place where the so called Krąg z Krzyżowej Circle met three times, planning a new democratic system against the dictatorship of Hitler.

We discovered that this place has been important for history in general and this area was before the war Germany and then became Poland… This make us reflect on how borders are something artificial and they depend on the politic.

The evening activity was really nice and it was a talent show night. We were with another group of young people that are here in Krzyzowa doing an artistic meeting.

We first learnt Jewish popular dances and then there have been Italian dances, some Polish, Russian and Ukrainian songs, we listened a Belarussian poem and we dance Macarena with the German group. The Polish group teached us a popular dance and the Italian group sang “Bella Ciao”, a traditional partisan song.

We finished the day very tired but really happy because we had a very interesting day, inside history and traditions.

Word of the day: DISCOVER

(Mario e Wiktoria P)

Thursday 14,07

We met at 09:00 at the group room and we talk of the plan of the day. The bus pick us up at 09.30 and we went to Dzierzoniow and we met Raphael who told us the history about Jewish people and the synagogue.

After that everybody goes to the Ratusz (city hall) and we met the mayor, who gave each of us a present.

When he finished his speech, we went to work in the cemetery and we built the tent, then the expert shows everyone how to clean the graves, and explain the dates of the graves, so we learned a lot of things about the Jewish people and their religion.

It was very interesting, but we had to stop it because in was raining and very windy.

We eat something and went back to home.

In the evening everyone come to the kitchen and every group cooked a speciality from his country.

At 9 everyone sit togheter and eat, it was very delicious, we were disappointed that we had to stop the work because of the rain, but we were really happy with the ending of the day, because we discovered a lot of thing about other cultures.

Word of the day: INTEGRATION

(Martina, Petrina, Aessia)

Ewoca³ Re:Member – Here we go!

One year after our last camp in Cisterna di Latina, the Italian and the German group meet in Berlin at Tegel Airport. This is where our next adventure starts.

Our next stop is KRZYZOWA. To get there, we take the bus. Despite unknown problems, something like a traffic jam, we arrived late, but this is not a problem because we sing and share our memories together in the meantime. Once we arrived, we get to know the place where we sleep, because a long and happy day is watining for us!

Sun is rising, the first Ewoca³-Day is beginning. After a great breakfast, we go to a special seminarroom where we get to know each other – and finally also meet the Polish group. To become closer to each other we play some games and laugh a lot together. After the luch we were divided in groups to take part in a rallye to discover the story of Krzyzowa. We had to walk a lot.

In the evening there was the daily “Reflection Group”. In the national groups we spoke about the day. And after that, around 21 o’clock, finally we had free time, but stayed together for some more hours before the night arrives and we go to sleep – waiting for another funny day.

And by the way… If you want more information and pictures: The Facebook site of the German group can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/WERKSTATT-Berufskolleg-Unna-1415140988698421/

[Stephano, Bilal & Wiktoria]

Getting ready!

Three more days! Soon the time has come – the preparations are on full throttle, ewoca³ can begin.
We are looking forward to welcoming you on Monday in Krzyzowa. Have a good trip and see you Monday!

Krzyzowa wartet auf euch! — Krzyzowa awaits you!

An enormous experience!

The group of our vocational college landed safe and sound on monday evening. And everyone agreed: An ewoca³ workcamp is an enormous experience and all participants will collaboratively work, live and deepen European friendships next year in Poland.

Hugs, a few tears, and the hope for a reunion
[by Leon Horz]

The final impressions from Italy: After the successful hiking tour, the order of the day was rewarding and relaxing. We visited the close-by beach, where we could recover from the stresses and strains for a whole day. On Saturday then, it was time for one of the most important events: The final presentation in our Casale. Visitors from the local press, municipal politicians, parents and friends were shown our work and what we had done, they received a tour around the complex, and were shown the benches and tables we built, and of course the tomato field where we worked. The highlight of the tour was a small theatre play performed by the Italian group, where they reenacted some of the best moments from the camp and were able to inspire everyone with their funny performance.

Sunday was the last day at the camp, and it was emotions from all sides, as the motto was “everything needs to come to an end.” The time together with nearly 30 people, 14 days of ewoca³ camp brought a lot of experiences. Participants reached their limits, and with the help of others have overcome them. Most of us will leave both happy and a bit sad, most could also stay for another week. Everyone was formed by this time with so many different people, and when the call “suitcases are packed” was made, some tears were shed. After all, you don’t just pack your belongings, but also the time together, the impressions, the experiences and being proud of oneself. I personally, am very happy to have made these experiences with such great people and there is hope for a reunion in Poland in 2016. Finally, I have to say: Germany, we are coming, and looking forward to a washing machine!

IMPRESSIONs

SILVIA:

I won’t lie.
The very first time i came in the school and looked at our “beds” and at the different people all around i started thinking about coming back home.
But this lasted just ten minutes, then we started knowing eachother and i began to appreciate the special qualities of everybody.
After only two days i didn’t want to go back to Rome yet, but i had to because of my exams.
Five days later i was again in the school enjoying the group as i had been always there.
And didn’t matter if the beds were unconfortable, we didn’t want to sleep, just to have fun together and enjoy every moment.
This camp has been for me a great adventure, made of new experiences, new friends and love.
We worked hard, had fun, played basketball till 2 am, looked at the beautiful stars in the dark of the mountains.. we lived, we really lived what every moment of our life has to be lived.
I will never forget this.

GIULIA:

What does Ewoca3 mean? After two weeks I found out that it is not just a cultural exchange. It is not just learning something. It is not just “experience”.
It is living the life… a real life, made of everything: laughters, tears, friendship, conflicts, love, work, quotidianity.
For two weeks I lived together with people I didn’t know and that now are part of me, as a family.
I loved staying with them and sharing my moments and emotions with them.
I loved staying with them and knowing a bit of their culture and making them find out something about mine.
The memories of those moments will never fade away.

CHIARA:

Ewoca3 was a very important and beautiful experience for me. With ewoca3 I learn that the differences make us very strong and I learn the real meaning of the words family and friendship.

VERONICA:

Ewoca 3 was one of the best experiences I’ve ever done.
I met fabulous people in the three groups.
Activity that I liked the most was the hike where I learned how to adapt myself in a new environment and to share things with the others.
I also discovered to be ” an actress ” and managed to make everyone laugh with my little English.

GAGANDEEP (GAGA):

In fact this is not my first exchange, but I don’t know what, EWOCA3 have something special, it’s my second time, and is useless to say that it was fantastic. I want to say more, I had the pleasure to meet such a wonderful people, I had the opportunity to learn more about different cultures and lifestyle. This kind of European program give you the chance to grow up with different technique, not like the boring school type. This 15 days make you more European. At least I hope that all the youth can have the possibility to have an experience like this.

STEFANO:

I remember the first Italian reflection group, when I said that my purpose was to come back home with beautiful memories, and so it was. This two weeks taught me many things, they have reminded me that we can work in GROUP whenever. They have made me know extraordinary persons, all different from each other, but with which I’ve spent special, unique, unforgettable moments. I’ve to say that even though this was not my first experience, it was decisively the best. Each one has left an indelible memory inside me. Every laugh, argument, hugs and kisses, silences, have made us to become a real family. Every moment that we spent together, from the first day at the train station; from the waking up to prepare the breakfast to the cleaning up; from the concerts on the bus to go to the CASALE, to the workshops and the water games; from the efforts to find the wood for the bonfire, to the all together dinner around it; from the departure to the hike, to the arrival at SEMPREVISA; EACH, EACH of this moments, were for me the bests moments in my life. I would like to meet them (The youth leaders too, of course) again and hug each of them; I would like to cry at the top of my voice and say ‘THANK YOU, THANKS FOR THIS TWO WEEKS, THANK YOU. I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU, YOU WILL BE ALWAYS IN MY HEART!

Who could have ever thought that a GRO:UP like this, would have became a great FAMILY.

See you in Poland Brian, Giuliano, Bilal, Leon, Dominika, Jana, Dominik, Ola, Asia, Kasia, Ewa, Wiktoria, Matteo, Mario, Chiara, Giulia, Veronica,Gagandeep and Selene. I love you all!

I like to hike!

Good shoes, headdress, portion your water and most of all: Don’t feed the wild cows and horses. Alright.

After eight days of becoming a close community and amstering a number of challenges together, days 9 and 10 bring something special: The peak of Monte Semprevisa, a 1600m high mountain, about 60 kilometres to the south-east of Rome. We were to climb it in a 20 kilometre hike over two days. In the middle of the Italian summer. Already the day before hiking expert and teamer Peppe held a workshop on how to erect the big tent, what to look out for, and how to have a dinner in the wild using collected firewood. Food as well was something the group should plan for themselves. All tasks for which close collaboration within the group is essential, in order to avoid problems with living and surviving in nature.

After a night with a romantic camp fire, we climbed the summit. Brian and Bilal were among the first, wo, with a view that leaves one speechless, made a picture of themselves and the summit cross. Around 90 minutes later, the last ones arrived, having climbed a 700 metres altitude difference.

After the descent, we all agreed: It was an exhausting, but very intense, experience, which was worth all the blisters, and which we will remember for a long time.

Day 7 with the Motto “Building, Chilling and Weeding”

[by Leon Horz]

Casale Piano Rosso, Cisterna di Latina, Italy: Today is a big day for the youths of the ewoca³ camp 2015. For the first time, we leave our marks in the sand. We build seating and a place to eat for people who will visit Casale in the future. What is so special about that??? Everything is recycled. Here the big topic of the ewoca³ camp becomes visible: Sustainability! Old palettes are the basis for our individual pieces. For us it is all about testing, testing testing. Will the construction hold up? Once again we are proving that together we are strong and can create great results. Those not so much into craftsmanship could go to the tomato field and pick weeds.

The time here at the ewoca³ camp is a formative time for all of us. It does not happen often that so many youths from different cultures are at the same location, speaking different languages. But here we can see again: “You can understand even without words”. After only a short time, ewoca³ is becoming like a small family for us. Everyone is authentic and this is important for ewoca³. “Being oneself!”

Day 6 International evening

Today we spend another day on the farm and vineyard “Casale Piano Rosso”, which we just call “Casale” for short, which means “farm”. Today we made pasta ourselves, which is surprisingly complicated and time-consuming, as Brian and Giuliano experienced. Lunch had to be moved by 90 minutes, in order for the pasta to be rolled three times, as is customary.

The international evening was coming, each of the three partner nations was trying to kindle enthusiams for their home country. Our German group was to start: Miss Mantaj prepared Sauerkraut, mashed potatoes and sausages on an improvised cooking top in our little school. All day we had learned “Über den Wolken” by Reinhardt May (Helene Fischer “Atemlos” somehow didn’t sound right), wonderfully supported by Leon on the guitar. And everyone was inspired. And we had also German presents: pumpernickel, “Klümpchen”, and fair trade chocolate. This way, something from our school was left with the others.

The Polish group brought their country closer using songs and a picture presentation, the Italians wowed us with their Italy quiz, which we won very narrowly. We partied until late at night – with handmade Italian pastries.

Now we could feel it: We are no longer Germans, Italians and Poles, we are Europeans. ewoca³ feeling.