Dear readers, Welcome to the first issue of BAF magazine created by the International BAF TEAM from Italy,

Germany, Turkey, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Poland. Many thanks to the students who about the shape and contents of the magazine. We hope you will enjoy our magazine. Best wishes, Project coordinators: Pawel Posnik (Poland), Peter Ferrari Demski (Italy), Maria Zographou (Cyprus), Derya Gulunay (Turkey), Ulrike Peterhoff (Germany), Verginia Veselinova Rakadijeva (Bulgaria) SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN THE COMENIUS PROJECT: Liceum Ogolnoksztacace im. Piotra Skargi, Grojec www.logrojec.pl logrojec@poczta.fm Liceum Ogolnoksztalcace im. P.Skargi in Grojec is an upper secondary school preparing students, aged 15 to 18, for university education. The school is one of the oldest in the district of Grojec and in Mazowiecke Province. It was founded in 1912. There are 50 teachers and about 600 students in the school. The secondary school students come from different social backgrounds. Even though there are a few organizations existing at school (e.g. Red Cross, Volunteers' Club, Film Discussion Club or Students' Sport Club), the students need additional activities so they could cooperate willingly, understanding the importance of both their cultural roots and respect for different social and cultural backgrounds. The school is situated in a small town, about 15 thousand inhabitants. The students feel the need of, and have deep interest in learning about other cultures and making friends with students from abroad (according to the results of the survey on the students' interest in and knowledge of other European cultures, carried out in December 2009 and January 2010). Thanks to the project they will have a chance to establish long-lasting relationships with young people from European countries. As a result, they will become more open and tolerant towards social differences and ethnic minorities. The project will certainly give all the students opportunities to be better understanding and fully aware of what it means to be part of the European community. ISTITUTO COMPRENSIVO MASSAROSA 1, SCUOLA SEC. 1 GRADO "PELLEGRINI" www.massarosa1.it segreteria@massarosa1.it The Scuola Media M. Pellegrini takes part of the Istituto Comprensivo Massarosa 1 that consists of 4 Kindergartens, 5 primary-schools and 1 middle-school with 1077 students (age 3 to 14/15) and 122 teachers. The middle-school M. Pellegrini has got more than 300 students (age 10 to 14/15) in 13 classes and 38 teachers. The headmaster is Dr. Primetta Bertolozzi. The curricular subjects are Italian, History, Geography, Maths, Science, Technical Education, Arts, Musical Education, Sports and Catholic Religion. The first foreign language is English and for the second one the students can choose between German and French. In the sections of tempo prolungato we can offer extra -courses, remedial teaching and enhancement. During the project-work we will use the moodle-platform http://massarosa1.org/comenius and the website www.massarosa1.eu/BAF , offering our students a little social network, absolutely protected, where the pupils can work using blog, chat, up/download functions, Wikis etc. Some of our teachers and students have just been working for more than 5 years with this media and so we can offer a great experience using it. Our staff will have a tutor-function for the platform-work and during the project we will organize onlinecourses for the other participants. Most of the administration and documentation concerning the platform will be managed by our experts. The work with different European partners will give us a choice to reflect on national differences and commons and to stimulate the integration of foreign students and will help us to open the minds of our pupils for a greater tolerance with strangers, creating the idea of an European Citizenship.

GYMNASIO LATSION, NICOSIA http://www.schools.ac.cy/gym-lat-nic/index.htm gym.lat.nic@cytanet.com.cy Our children are interested in projects because they have a chance to contact with foreign friends, to learn more about culture and history and to improve their language. We as school believe that these projects promote the tolerance and understanding among the students of various nationalities and cultures and help develop the European citizen .They also encourage friendship among the students of different cultures and nationalities. Tpra lkretim okulu, Krkkale http://www.tuprasioo.k12.tr/ 833167@meb.gov.tr Tpra lkretim Okulu is situated in the centre of Kirikkale. In our school, most families have average literacy skills. Our students mostly are eager to know about other cultures. This project idea made students really motivated and eager to learn new languages. By being involved in this project, they will learn to share knowledge, be creative and also imaginative. And to me, by taking part in such a big project, they will gain trust to themselves and have knowledge ,which will develop their point of view about other countries especially European countries. 122nd Primary School "Nikolai Liliev", Sofia www.122-ou.hit.bg ou_122@abv.bg 122nd Primary school is situated in one of the best living areas of Sofia the capital of Bulgaria. The name of our school is "Nikolai Liliev" - named after one of Bulgarian greatest poetry writers. Our children are are from 6 to 14 years old. We have a special resource office for children with special needs. Our children are interested in projects because they will have a chance to contact with foreign friends, to learn more about foreign culture, traditions and history, to improve their language. Now our teachers and children are convinced in the benefits of project work. Our first international school project was very successful our children found new friends, learnt more about foreign culture and traditions, they had a chance to use and improve their English language and to feel proud of its level. Comenius projects help teachers to learn more not only about culture and traditions of other countries, but to make aware with different educational systems, to change their opinions and experience with their colleagues from partner countries, to learn about new teaching methodology, to communicate and change ideas with colleagues from foreign partner-schools. In connection with the high interest of our students in the following areas: History, Culture, Traditions, Folklore, we teachers are enthusiastic to continue the projects related with these themes. By means of these students` and teachers` activities we show our permanent and profound interest not only in studying Bulgarian traditions and history but also in presenting the culture of our culture as a part of cultural and historical heritage of United Europe. Karlsgymnasium Bad Reichenhall www.karlsgymnasium-bgl.de kg@karlsgym-bad-reichenhall.de Bad Reichenhall Karlsgymnasium is a secondary school (I and II) preparing students for a university education. The students are in general between 10 and 19 years old. Most of them are from nearby villages and from Bad Reichenhall. There are also some Austrian students since the Austrian border is very close to Bad Reichenhall and Salzburg is just round the corner.It is very important that our students should have chances to communicate with other students all over European and learn more about their way of thinking, their culture, their way of life and thus make friends all around Europe. By communicating they will also learn more about their own culture, become more tolerant and practice foreign languages. Another reason for participating in the project is that the students often think that taking part in school life is not worth it. Now they might realize that this common prejudice is not true and learn that committing oneself is worth it. This project will certainly help all the students participating to understand each other better and give them a chance to become fully aware of what it means to be part of the European community.

Description of the Bavarian school system

Since Germany has federalism every state has a different educational system. In our state Bavaria students visit a primary school the first four years. The primary school teachers than decide at which secondary school their students can continue. There are three possibilities: They can visit a Hauptschule for the next five years (so they went to school for together nine years). After this type of school the students mainly start an apprenticeship as craftsmen, sales assistant, hair dresser... The second type (Realschule) of school lasts five more years. The students are prepared to become banker, clerical assistant... or enter another school for two more years where they can achieve the permission to enter a technical college. The last school is the Gymnasium where the students in eight year are prepared to go to university.

Our school is a Gymnasium where all students learn English as a first language. Then they can decide either to learn French or Latin. After four years they choose either to learn another language or emphasize on science.

GENERAL STRUCTURE OF THE TURKISH EDUCATION SYSTEM Administration of education up to Higher education is centralised under the Ministry of National Education. The Ministry is responsible for : * drawing up curricula, * coordinating the work of official, * private and voluntary organisations, * designing and building schools, * and developing educational materials. FORMAL EDUCATION Official Language: Turkish Alphabet: Latin Alphabet, since 1928 Academic Year: September through May/June Duration of Schooling: 5 + 3 + 4 Compulsory Schooling: 8 years (ages 6-14) Formal education is the regular education of individuals in a certain age group and given in schools at the same level with programs prepared for definite purposes. Formal education includes Pre-Primary education, primary education, and secondary education and higher education institutions. Pre-Primary education Pre-Primary education includes the education of children who are under the age of compulsory primary education. The purpose of Pre-Primary education is to ensure physical, mental and sensory development of children and the acquisition of good habits, to prepare children for primary education, and to ensure that Turkish is spoken correct and well. Primary Education The purpose of primary education is to ensure that every Turkish child acquires the basic knowledge, skills, behaviors, and habits to become a good citizen, and is prepared for life and for the next education level parallel to his/her interests and skills. Turkish primary education is compulsory for every Turkish citizen from the age of six to the age of fourteen, regardless of sex, and is free of charge in state schools.Primary education institutions are schools that provide eight years of uninterrupted education, at the end of which graduates receive a primary education diploma. The basic education program includes Turkish language and literature, mathematics, social studies, science, civics and human rights, the history of the Turkish Republic and Atatrk's reforms, a foreign language (English, French or German), individual and group activities, religious culture and ethics, art/handicraft, music, physical education, traffic safety and first aid, career guidance, and elective courses. In primary schools, students are graded on a scale of 1-5 (maximum), with 2 being the minimum passing grade (equivalent to 45/100). Secondary Education Secondary education covers general, vocational and technical high schools (Lycees, Lise in Turkish) that provide four years of education (used to be 3 years until 2005). General high schools prepare students for higher learning institutions. Some of the secondary schools and the private secondary schools have foreign language preparatory classes. Vocational and technical high schools provide specialized instruction with the aim of training qualified personnel. The purpose of secondary education is to give students a minimum common culture, to identify individual and social problems, to search for solutions, to raise awareness in order to contribute to the socio-economic and cultural development of the country and to prepare the students for higher education, for profession, for life and for business in line with their interests and skills.

Educational System of Bulgaria Education in Bulgaria is mainly supported by the state through the Ministry of Education and Science. School education is compulsory for children from seven to sixteen years of age. The Bulgarian educational system falls within the continental European tradition. The main types of secondary schools are: general educational, vocational, language schools and foreign schools. Private schools are also being established and they are beginning to compete successfully with state schools. There are fifty-one higher educational institutions in Bulgaria offering degrees at undergraduate and graduate levels. The academic year for most Bulgarian universities begins around October 1 and consists of fall and spring semesters. The academic year covers up to 30 weeks. Classes usually meet once a week for 75 minutes or for two 45-minute periods with a 15-minute break in between. Languages of Study The official language of instruction is Bulgarian. At school level, the general curriculum provides opportunities for ethnic minority children to study their mother tongue. In specialized language schools and in the profile-oriented schools, instruction takes place in English, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Armenian, Hebrew, Russian, and other languages. At university level, instruction takes place in English at the American University in Bulgaria, and in German, French and English in some programs in Technical Universities. Primary and Secondary Education: General Authority: Ministry of Education and Science The Ministry of Education and Science lays down and applies national education policy, and plans and organizes the development of education by putting together long-term programs and operational projects. Education in Bulgaria is compulsory from the ages of 7 to 16. Children complete their compulsory education in upper secondary schools. Admission Criteria Basic (primary and pre-secondary) education is free, except in private schools. Students can enter the profile-oriented schools upon completion of grade 7 or 8 after passing entry examinations, according to the profile of the school (mother tongue/literature, mathematics, humanities etc.). Curriculum is unified for all schools. It includes subjects such as Literature (Bulgarian, English, French, German), Mathematics, Foreign Languages, History, Geography, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Psychology, Ethics and Law, Philosophy, Music, Arts, Vocational Training, and Physical Education. School School Year The school year is divided into two terms: the first is from Mid-September to the end of January, and the second from the beginning of February to the end of May, 15th June or the end of June depending on the grade level of the students. At the end of each term students receive term grades in each subject, and at the end of the school year they get final grades in the subjects. Classes meet five days a week and usually take two shifts (morning and afternoon). The school year is divided into two terms with Christmas, Easter and Summer holidays. The grading system is based on numerals, where 6 is the highest and 2 is the lowest grade a student can obtain.

The Italian school

The Italian scholastic system is currently based on the subdivision between public school and private school. School levels are as follows: - Preschool (3-5 years) - Primary school (6-10 years) - Middle school (11-13 years) - High school (14-18 years). The school is obligatory up to the completion of the inferior middle cycle more two years of superior. Within the senior high school, the high school (classical, scientific, artistic, linguistic) and the professional technical institutes are distinguished. The obligatory education begins to 6 at the end of the five years of superior school, after various tests of examination, the diploma of maturity is gotten. In the third class of our school we have: 10 hours a week of letters (anthology, grammar, literature, writing, history, geography) 6 hours of mathematics (arithmetic, geometry, science) 3 English 2 German / French 2 of art (drawing and art history) 2 of technical assistance (technical drawing and theory) 2 ed. physics (volleyball, running, high jump, long jump, stretching) 2 music (instrument-flute, music history) 1 of religion (optional) 2 laboratory (free choice between the classes. Section A: reinforcement; Section B: theater)

STRUCTURE OF CYPRUS EDUCATION SYSTEM Pre-higher education: Duration of compulsory education: Age of entry: 5 Age of exit: 15 Structure of school system: Pre-Primary Type of school providing this education: Pre-Primary School Length of program in years: 1 Age level from: 4 to: 5 Certificate/diploma awarded: Certificate of attendance Primary Type of school providing this education: Primary School Length of program in years: 6 Age level from: 6 to: 12 Certificate/diploma awarded: Leaving Certificate
Primary education is provided free of charge at state schools for children aged between five years and eight months and 11 years and eight months. Age is the only criterion for the admission of children to primary education. From the 2006-2007 school year proof of pre-school attendance (from four years and eight months to five years and eight months) is a condition for enrolment in primary schools. The school year is divided into three terms of three months, with attendance on five days of the week

Lower Secondary Type of school providing this education: Gymnasium Length of program in years: 3 Age level from: 12 to: 15
Lower secondary education is provided free for children aged between 11 years and eight months and 15 years of age. Children are admitted to lower secondary education on the criterion of age and subject to possession of a primary school leaving certificate. . The school year comprises 180 days between the beginning of September till the first days of June. Schools open five days a week with an average of 37 lesson periods.The school day begins at 7:30 until 13:35 and a lesson lasts 45 minutes.

General Secondary Type of school providing this education: Lykeion Length of program in years: 3 Age level from: 15 to: 18 Certificate/diploma awarded: Apolytirion
Upper secondary education is provided free of charge for children aged between 15 and 18 years of age. The Eniaio Lykeio was launched on a pilot project basis in three schools from 1995 to 2001 to offer both general and technical/ vocational education.In the school year 2000-2001, the restructured Eniaio Lykeio, offering a great variety and flexibility in the choice of studies, was established on a pancyprian scale to replace the Lykeion system of optional subjects which functioned before for over 20 years. The Eniaio Lykerio is characterized by its focus on general education (including technology and economics) aiming at developing a multifaceted personality. At the Eniaio Lykeio, the A Form is for observation, guidance and orientation. In the B and C Forms, pupils attend common core courses which are considered as indispensable for all.

Technical Secondary Type of school providing this education: Technical School Length of program in years: 3 Age level from: 15 to: 18 Certificate/diploma awarded: Apolytirion At the same level, the Technical secondary education which is separate from the Eniaio Lykeio offers upgraded curricula. Higher education: At present, public and private universities operate in Cyprus.The university of Cyprus,the Open University and the Cyprus university of Technology . Private Universities The European University of Cyprus,the Frederick University and the University of Nicosia.

The show of Mr Bonaventura On the 27. May our show was held at the theatre Manzoni in Massarosa : il Signor Bonaventura, created with the help of our Italianteacher Mrs Nardini. We made our rehearsal and missed the last days of lessons. We chose parts and started to prepare the dresses for the show. We started going to the dressmakers and taking something to school that could be used for other characters too. I played the Baroness. I had a blue skirt with a large button, a white blouse with a cameo and a large hat with white and blue paper roses on. I had silver shoes with slight heels on. On the day of the show we went in the afternoon to visit the theatre Manzoni, the shows location. Everything was fine. In the evening we met there at 8 o clock. When we started to play we were all so excited. First of all we put our dresses on and made each other up; then we made a circle with our hands and we said aloud ooofs to wish us good luck. We took our position. In the theatre were a lot of people and so we were very nervous. The moment I went on stage I was excited but when I said my first cue I calmed down and felt at ease.

The show was held for the better. It was a great success, so we are taking part in a competition in Rome on 7. and 8. October, where we are playing our show once more. At the end we went to have a good ice-cream at the Butterfly. It was a beautiful experience and Im looking forward to playing it in Rome.

NATIONAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE DAY On 14th October 2010 Piotr Skarga's Secondary School celebrated the 237th anniversary of setting up KEN (National Education Committee). In Poland, the day is commonly called Teachers Day. That day was really special, because our school was the host of the whole event. Representatives of all the secondary schools from the district of Grojec had been invited to the ceremony. First, students of Piotr Skargas Upper-Secondary School in Grojec had an opportunity to take part in the official part of the event. Many guests have been invited: teachers, the Starost of Grojec, headteachers of all secondary schools of the District of Grojec and their representatives with school banners. On 18th October, classes IC and ID under the supervision of Mrs. Sobierajewska and Mr. Posnik gave a performance about the history of education. The performance was not only entertaining but it also gave students some interesting information about school systems in the past.

The whole event ended with beautiful bunches of flowers given by grateful learners to their teachers. Magdalena Jasinska

Our 122nd Primary school

122nd Primary school Nikolai Liliev was opened in 1962. It is situated in Lozenets area in central Sofia. Classrooms in the building are spacious and bright. There are extra rooms - a gym, a room equipped with computers, a canteen and a room where the pupils with special educational need study. At school there is a volleyball team, a basketball team, a handball team, a football team. The children also play badminton and go swimming. The school teams regularly win prizes. Our teachers and students have been working on projects on programmes eTwinning and Comenius since 2006. They enjoy doing activities in team with colleagues and pupils from different European countries. This opportunity motivates them to study hard, to learn foreign languages, to fill the sense of personal fulfillment, to be active European citizens.

The class 3 e of Massarosa is working with the project "senza zaino" ... but what does it mean? Sara Micheli tells us about "The project can be seen as an opportunity to take responsibility. We leave books at school, in a cabinet. We take them home for homework and then we report them to sign at scholl.All years in which various rules are written to be respected.We have tables for many children, each month we change places. Once a week we have the "Circle time" where we tell ourselves and talk about any porblem in the class.Every morning we go on the "Agora" (which, as our motto says, is the space "of democracy and freedom") where each of us can devote a sentence, a poem or another for the class.In class we have an interactive whiteboard, and technology is very large, very useful to use any material. On Monday afternoon we had two hours of lab expression, where the theater with real experts. At year end, we perform a little show where we show what we have learned during the course."
Sara Micheli, Massarosa, Italy

A trip to Pedoulas () Dear fellow students, On the 27 of October 2010 we left from our home town Latsia to go on a three day field-trip to the Environmental Educational Center whitch is situated in the Pedoulas village in the area of the Trodos Mountains .The field trip is sponsored by the Ministry of Education and around 30 students of the Latsia high school were chosen to attend. At 10:30 am we finally arrived to Pedoulas. We were taken to our accommodation area which was the Environmental Education Center (E.E.C.) and shown to are rooms. There was a room with 8 double Banc Beds for the boys and one for the girls. We ate breakfast at the E.E.C. but not lunch and dinner. We ate lunch and dinner at a tidy, clean and warm feeling restaurant. We were usually at bed by 10 pm and woke up at a quarter to seven. The first days program involved us visiting the Kalidonia forest and we had the advantage of seeing the Kalidonia waterfall. On day two we visited a forest that was not exactly in Pedoulas but in Prodromos (a nearby town). In that forest we learned about meaning of territory and the thematic connection with the Pedoulas community and the wider area of Troodos.On the third and final day we were introduced to the culture and environment unit and we had a field study in the community of Pedoulas compared with traditional architecture and a visit to the Folkographic Museum.

Beyond local frontiers

The first wind park in Cyprus
The agreement for the construction of the first wind park in Cyprus has been signed. It is going to be built in the area of Oreites in Paphos and it is expected to start working before the end of 2010. The parks power is going to be 82 megawatt and it is going to be consisted of 41 wind turbines. 16 square kilometres are going to be used for its condtruction. The total cost for the park is expected to be approximately 200 million euros. The wind park is going to produce the 4% of the electrical energy in Cyprus. The park has a lot to offer to Cyprus in the fields of renewable sources of energy. The European Union has set this condition to Cyprus: the 13% of energy that is going to be used in the country on 2020 has to be produced by renewable sources of energy.

OUR CITY; KIRIKKALE

Kirikkale is a central Anatolia city located 80 kilometers away from capital Ankara city on the east, in the shore of red river Turkey. It has a rich historical background and culture as being an intersection in the area. The city has a great important potential for tourism. Krkkale is famous for its Boiled Pilaf. PLACES TO VISIT IN KIRIKKALE Weapon Industry Museum is displaying 299 pieces since 14th century to our present days, Kozlu Area Antique City; The antique city from Ancient Roma Era; Ceritkaya Rock Tombs; Those tombs left over from Iron Age; Hasandede Mosque and Tomb is 12 kilometers away from the city center; Seyh Samil Mosque and Tomb; The building constructed in 15th century is in Sulakyurt Town city center. Balli Mosque and Tomb; The structure is still unknown by whom was constructed was established in 12th century and is in the city center of Baliseyh Town; Cesnigir Bridge is the historical bridge constructed over Kizilirmak (Red River); Sulu Cave is a half natural cave with a distance of 285 metres. Gamze Nur Dadelen

GOK- The Centre of Culture in Grojec

This is a place where everybody can learn about culture, no matter how old they are. Here, young people can do their hobby or develop their skills and abilities. In the Centre of Culture in Grojec we can watch films with famous actors. There are both old films and films directed in modern times. Shortly after films there is organized a discussion club, where we can share our feelings and impressions of a given film. In the Centre of Culture in our town we can take part in some music concerts. At the moment there is a contest for the best teenage band. They are competing with each other to win the main prize. Among others, theres also annual Festival of English Song, having a well known celebrity as a member of jury each year. Theres also a local theatre group giving regular performances. Moreover, we can see exhibitions of photographs and paintings too. Everybody can show their skills. The citizens of Grojec are proud of this place and of the young people who are making progress in developing their talents. Thanks to this place, everybody has more opportunities to be some successful in future life. Beyond the shadow of a doubt it is a good place to make young people broaden their horizons. Agnieszka Tolak

WHERE TO GO IN GROJEC?
Four most interesting places for young people to see in Grojec are: 1.The Centre of Culture situated in the center of Grojec. In one building you can find a cinema and a library. In the cinema you can watch the best Hollywood productions or less known movies. Sometimes after watching the film you can meet face to face with actors or the director of the movie you have just watched. In the library you can find thousands of books. 2. Town Square in Grojec. Our Town Square is a very lively place. It has recently been renovated and it is kept in an old style. It was opened in September. You can sit down on a bench or go to the cafe and drink a cup of hot tea. 3.The Sports Centre there are many facilities: swimming pool , sports hall , skate park and two tennis courts. Many competitions are organized at the swimming pool . You can also try skating in the most modern skate park in our town. If you enjoy playing tennis , you can play it at the tennis court. 4. The park - situated in the city centre, is a very peaceful place. You can walk with your dog there or rest on the bench. There is also a play ground for children. You can see the monument of Jozef Piulsudski. If you want to relax its the best place for you. Maciej Warpechowski

NEW TOWN SQUARE IN GROJEC

On 18th September 2010 a new town square in Grojec was opened. From dawn to dusk there were many various events. In the stands you could buy commemorative coin stamped by a blacksmith, homemade bread and sausauges, and many other things. There was also a playground for children. On this day, there was also an exhibition about places and people from old photographs of Grojec. At 10:30 a performance of children and adolescents from Grojec and surrounding areas took place. After that, the fire brigade orchestra appeared on stage. Next, there was a concert of a local rock band that played well known songs. All the people gathered in the new town square had a good fun. They could see a great parade of motocycles. The greatest attention was focused on Jacek Czachor, who regularly takes part in the motorcycle Paris Dakar Rally. Everyone wanted to talk to him and to take a picture of him. Then there was a martial arts show given by children from Grojec. After that Manhattan 44 gave their concert. They perfectly entertained the audience with well known songs of bands like Deep Purple or Queen. After the concert the long-awaited moment came. The opening ceremony of the Freedom Square (the official name of our square) began with a speech delivered by the Mayor and then, from the tower of City Hall people could hear the sound of the bugle call. Another point was a ribbon cutting ceremony, carried out by the Mayor. After the official opening there were also two great performances. The first was tenors concert. They performed well known songs from operas and musicals. Finally, the time for the performance of Maciej Malenczuk, the biggest star of that evening, came. Despite low temperature, hundreds of people were having o good time until late at night. I think, that opening of the town square will certainly be rememberd for a long time. Great fun, a number of stands, stalls and great artists made this day unique. Michal Komarnicki

Our BIG Issue "National Heroes"

Costas Montis
Costas Montis was born on February 18 in 1914 in Famagusta, and died on March 1 in 2004 in his home in Nicosia, surrounded by his family. He has received numerous honors and awards throughout his life, and his books have been translated into several languages. Costas Montis hasreceived honorary doctorates from both the University of Cyprus and the University of Athens. He has been nominated for the Nobel Prize, and in 2000 he was declared Corresponding Member of the Academy of Athens, the highest honor conferred upon intellectual creators living outside Greece. In support of his proposal to the Academy of Athens, Professor Nicholas Konomis included the following: "Costas Montis is one of the greatest living Greek poets, and certainly one who renewed in a unique way modernistic lyric poetry, and enriched modern Greek poetry from the point of view of Cyprus. With his uninterrupted literary creation of 70 years, he has been able to depict artistically the authentic rhythms, the temperature, and the action of the deepest historical and emotional fluctuations of the soul and breath of Cyprus and her people. In his extremely powerful work he has recorded every vibration of the island (erotic, social, political), and all the thoughts of the people of Cyprus have been set down..... He has made use of the whole wealth of the linguistic, historical, and cultural tradition of greater Hellenism, and entrenched in his work, with unprecedented poetic force, the indelible character of the deep-rooted values of the Greek nation."

Kyriacos Loannou (Cyprus)

Kyriakos Ioannou was born on July 16,1984 in Limassol, is a Cypriot high jumper. His personal best jump and Cypriot national record is 2.35 meters, achieved at the 2007 World Championships held in Osaka where he won the bronze medal. He became the first World Championships medalist from Cyprus. In the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, he won the silver medal.

Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus)

Marcos Baghdatis was born on June 17, 1985 in Limassol, Cyprus is a Cypriot professional tennis player. He have started playing dates with his father and brother. In the age of 15 he left Cyprus for the Paris Academy of Tennis.He was the runner-up at the 2006 Australian Open and a semifinalist at the 20th Wimbledon Championships and reached a career-high ATP ranking of 20 in August 2006. Now he is the number 20 of the world.

Our BIG Issue "National Heroes"

Evagoras Pallikarides (Cyprus)
Evagoras was born in Tsada, Paphos District, one of five children of Miltiades and Aphrodite Pallikaridis. He studied at the Greek High School of Paphos where, at age 15, he participated in his school's boycott of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in June 1953.When EOKA began the struggle against British colonialism in 1955, Pallikaridis took part in several anti-British demonstrations and joined EOKA when he was just 17 years old. In one of these, in November 1955, in an effort to free a friend who had been arrested, he struck a British soldier and was arrested himself. He was ordered to appear for trial but instead joined one of the many EOKA guerrilla groups that operated throughout Cyprus. For this, the colonial authorities put a 5,000 price on his head..Pallikarides was arrested on December 18, 1956 .The police had privately reported that he had murdered a man, considered to be a British collaborator by EOKA, although there was no evidence for this claim At his trial Pallikaridis did not deny possession of the weapon. He said he did what he had to do as a Greek Cypriot seeking his freedom. He was sentenced to die for gun possession on February 27, 1957. Pallikaridis was hanged on March 14, 1957, at the age of 19. He was buried at the Imprisoned Graves in the Central Jail of Nicosia.Pallikarides wrote poetry, it is said that he has written over 300 poems. His most famous poem was about the freedom of Cyprus entitled " ". Ill take an uphill road Ill take the paths To find the stairs That lead to freedom I'll leave brothers, sisters My mother, my father In the valleys beyond And the mountainsides Searching for freedom I'll have as company The white snow Mountains and torrents Even if it's winter now The summer will come Bringing Freedom To cities and villages Ill take an uphill road Ill take the paths To find the stairs That lead to freedom I'll climb the stairs I'll enter a palace I know it will be an illusion I know it won't be real I'll wonder in the palace Until I find the throne Only a queen Sitting on it Beautiful daughter, I will say, Open your wings And take me in your embrace

Our BIG Issue "National Heroes"

Paisii Hilendarski (Bulgarian National Hero)
Paisii Hilendarski (Paisius of Hilendar) is the father of Bulgarian renaissance, the first ideologist of the national liberation movement. The discerning monk was the first person in Bulgaria to feel the tendencies for development of the society undertakes the role to awake the national conscience by writing "History of the Slavs and Bulgarians". Paisii was born in Bansko in 1722. In 1945 he goes to Hilendar Monastery and accepts monasticism. In the middle of XVII century Hilendar Monasery was a proliferating centre of literacy. Undoubtedly, the monastery plays major part in Paisii's life, by giving the opportunity of the young Bulgarian to live in a free, spiritual atmosphere and thus form his selfconscience and ideology. Paisii used to collect donations for the monastery and go around the country. By doing this he met a lot of desperate people, with no perspective of their future. Deeply touched by seeing the apathy of the nation toward the Ottoman Yoke, he decided to resurrect the historic memory of the Bulgarians by writing History of the Slavs and Bulgarians. In his book he ground Bulgarian's right to have a country. It was extremely difficult for him to write the book, because one of the hardest things was to find historic evidence. For around two years he was going about the Atone monasteries to collect small pieces of evidences, after that he went to Austria to read historical evidence about the Slavs and the Bulgarians. "History of the Slavs and Bulgarians" shouts loud to awake the torpid Bulgarian spirit. This is why Paisii Hilendarski is considered the father of The Bulgarian National Revival. He dies in 1773, only 5 years before the liberation of Bulgaria.

Maria Sklodowska-Curie (Poland)

Maria Skodowska Curie was a physicist and chemist of Polish upbringing and subsequent French citizenship. She was a pioneer in the field of radioactivity and the first person honored two Nobel Prizes in physics and chemistry. She was also the first female professor at the University of Paris. Her the biggest achievements include the creation of theory of radioactivity, techniques for isolating radioactive isotopes, and the discovery of two new elementspolonium and radium. Then their work turned out a success. They made a breakthrough discovery. They proved that there is a radioactivity element. Maria called it polonium after her homeland-Poland. It was in 1898. But then, at night, they discovered another radioactivity element-radium. Maria and Piotr were amazed. It was an unusal night for them. In 1911 she received the Nobile Prize in Chemistry in recognition of her services to the advancement of chemistry by the discovery of the elements radium and polonium, by the isolation of radium and the study of the nature and compounds of this remarkable element." Rafal Nowicki

Our BIG Issue "National Heroes"

Fatih Sultan Mehmet (Turkey)
Mehmet II was born on 29th March 1432, in Edirne. He was the son of Sultan Murad II. His mother was Huma Hatun. He was a tall, strong and muscular man. Mehmet II was a statesman and a military leader. He was also interested in literature, fine arts and monumental architecture. He was educated by famous scholar Aksemseddin. Mehmet was speaking seven languages fluently. Another worthy tribute to the Ottoman ruler is the famous portrait of him by Gentile Bellini. He also interested in philosophy and science. He invited Ali Kuscu the famous astronomer to the observatory in Istanbul. Mehmet II was ascended the throne in his 20th year.He took the name conqueror (fatih) after the conquest of Istanbul on 29th May 1453. The conquest of Istanbul spelled the end of the Byzantine Empire and entered a phase of urban revival under the wise and tolerant administrations of Mehmet and his immediate successors. The capture of Istanbul was followed by a long succession of campaigns which resulted in a tremendous extension of direct Ottoman rule. Among those areas that fell to Mehmet II were Serbia, Greece, the Empire of Trezibizond, Wallachia, Bosnia, Karaman, Albania and several Venetian and Geneose maritime establishments. He ruled the Ottoman Empire for 30 years and joined 25 campaigns himself. He was a very strict statesman and a very brave soldier. He took place in front of his army in the wars and he encouraged his soldiers. The emperor had died on 3rd May 1481. He was buried in Fatih Turbesi (tomb), near the Mosque of Fatih in Istanbul. Muhammed Kksoy

A tribute to all victims of the Mafia (Borsellino and Falcone, Italian heroes)
Giovanni Falcone (May 18, 1939, Palermo May 23, 1992) was an Italian magistrate whose career was spent prosecuting the Sicilian Mafia, Cosa Nostra. He was killed by the Mafia, together with his wife and three of his bodyguards, by a 350 kg dynamite bomb placed beneath the motorway from Punta Raisi Airport to Palermo near the town of Capaci.

Paolo Borsellino (January 19, 1940 July 19, 1992) was an Italian anti-Mafia magistrate who was killed by a Mafia car bomb in Palermo, less than two months after his fellow antiMafia magistrate Giovanni Falcone had been assassinated.

Our BIG Issue "National Heroes"

Giacomo Puccini (Composer, Italy)
Giacomo Puccini was an Italian composer born in Lucca (Tuscany) in 1858. Later on he moved to Torre del Lago, a small community near Viareggio. He studied at the Milan Conservatory thanks to a scholarship given by the Queen Margaret. While he was studying at the Conservatory, in 1883, he entered a competition for a one-act opera. This work, The Villi, did not win but it was staged at the Teatro del Verme. A second important opera was Edgar which was staged at La Scala in Milan, one of the most important Italian opera houses. This work failed and made Puccini feel very depressed. Later he composed Manon Lescaut, which became one of his greatest works. However,his most famous work was La Bohme, an opera based on the novel Scnes de la Vie de Bohme by Henri Murger. Further great works areTosca and Madama Butterfly . The latter is an opera based on a play by David Belasco. It had its premiere at La Scala Theatre in Milan but was a huge failure. With some modification it was performed at the Teatro Grande in Brescia and was a huge success. Other final works are: La fanciulla del West, La Rondine, Il Trittico and his incomplete opera Turandot. Puccini went into crisi mode because of a car accident that cost him a long, painful convalescence, and because of the suffering and death of its main partner in the field of music. He died in Brussells on 29 November 1924. Federico Lucania, Massarosa, Italy

Nobel of Economics (Cyprus)

Christopher Antoniou Pissarides is a Cypriot economist. He currently holds the Norman Sosnow Chair in Economics at the London School of Economics. His research interests focus on several topics of macroeconomics, notably labor, economic growth, and economic policy. In 2010, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in economics, jointly with Peter A. Diamond and Dale Mortensen, for his contributions to the theory of search frictions and macroeconomics.

Panagiotis Anastasiou

Our BIG Issue "National Heroes"

Rita Levi-Montalcini(born April 22, 1909)
Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI is an Italian neurologist who, together with colleague Stanley Cohen, received the 1986 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery of Nerve growth factor (NGF). On August 1, 2001 she was appointed as Senator for Life by the President of the Italian Republic, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi. On April 2829, 2006 Levi-Montalcini, aged 97, attended the opening assembly of the newly-elected Senate, at which the President of the Senate was elected; she declared her preference for the centre-left candidate Franco Marini. Levi-Montalcini, who is the senior member of the Upper House, chose not to be the temporary president on this occasion. She actively takes part in the Upper House discussions, unless busy in academic activities around the world. Due to her support of the government of Romano Prodi, she was often criticized by some right-wing senators, who accused her of "saving" the government when the government's exiguous majority in the Senate was at risk. She has been frequently insulted in public, and on blogs, since 2006, by both center-right senators such as Francesco Storace, and far-right bloggers for her age and Jewish origins. Levi-Montalcini is currently the oldest living and the longest-lived Nobel laureate who, though hard of hearing and nearly blind, recently vowed to remain a political force in her country.On Sunday, January 17,

Johannes Gutenberg (Germany)

Was born around 1400 in Mainz as Johannes Gensfleisch and died where in 1948. As a son of a rich merchant he could visit a convent school. Only very little is known about his life. He was a goldsmith and printer who introduced modern book printing. His invention of mechanical movable type printing started the Printing Revolution and is widely regarded as the most important event of the modern period. Among his many contributions to printing are: the invention of a process for mass-producing movable type, the use of oil-based ink, and the use of a wooden printing press. His truly epochal invention was the combination of these elements into a practical system which allowed the mass production of printed books and was economically viable for printers and readers alike. His method spread fast throughout Europe and later in America. It is seen as a key element in the time of Renaissance. His main work is the Gutenberg bible.

Our BIG Issue "National Heroes"

Grimm Busch (Germany)
Wilhelm Busch (15 April 1832 9 January 1908) Wilhelm Busch was a famous German caricaturist, painter, sculptor and poet who is well known for his satirical picture stories with rhymed texts. At the age of 19 he started his career in arts and studied in Dsseldorf, Antwerp and Munich. One of his first picture stories and probably one of the most famous ones is Max and Moritz - A juvenile history in seven tricks, published in 1865 and with the following beginning: Ah, how oft we read or hear of Boys we almost stand in fear of! For example, take these stories Max and Moritz as well as many of his other picture stories are considered one of the main precursors of modern comic strip and many couplets from verses have achieved the status of adages in the German language The Brothers Grimm (Jacob 4 January 1785 20 September 1863; Wilhelm - 24 February 1786 16 December 1859) They were both academics and linguists dedicating their lives to old languages and poetry. They are counted among the most famous story tellers of folk tales and fairy tales of Europe. Very famous are their tales like Rumpelstiltskin, Snow White, Rapunzel, Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood or The Frog Prince. They used to live in Berlin. They dedicated much of their lives to the creation of a German dictionary. This work was finished only in 1961 (33 volumes) and until today the dictionary of the Brothers Grimm is one of the most important, extensive and academic dictionaries of the German language. Jacob Grimm also participated in the composition of a German grammar.

John Paul II - Pope (Poland)

Karol Wojtyla (John Paul II) was born in the Polish town of Wadowice and was the youngest of three children of an ethnic Pole, and Emilia Kaczorowska, who was of Lithuanian & Polish ancestry. John Paul II had a special relationship with Catholic youth and is known by some as The Pope for Youth. Before he was pontiff, he used to camp and mountain hike with the youth. He still went mountain hiking when he was pope. He was particularly concerned with the education of future priests and made many early visits to Roman seminaries, including to the Venerable English College in 1979. He established World Youth Day in 1984 with the intention of bringing young Catholics from all parts of the world together to celebrate the faith. Young people are threatened... by the evil use of advertising techniques that stimulate the natural inclination to avoid hard work by promising the immediate satisfaction of every desire. John Paul II is our saint, an example to follow. He had a big influence on young people. He showed the truth and as did good for the world. Sylwia, Marlena, Marlena, Marta

Our BIG Issue "National Heroes"

Albert Einstein (Germany)
Was born on 14 March 1897 in Ulm (Germany) and died 18 April 1955 in Princeton (USA). His parents were non observing jews. He was a good student especially in science but had problems in school because of his behavior. His teachers accused him being disrespectful. He studied science at the polytechnical university of Zrich (Switzerland). Where he got a diploma as a subject teacher for maths and physics. After a year of teaching he got a job as a technical expert at a patent office. 1905 in the age of 26 he published his most important works on the theory of relativity which include the famous formular E=m*c2. This point is regarded as the beginning of modern physics. From 1909 to 1913 he worked as a professor at he university of Zrich. 1914 he moved to Berlin and worked as the director of the academy of science in Berlin where he worked together with the famous scientist Max Planck. 1921 he won the Nobel-Price in physics. 1933 he traveled to the States and didnt return to Germany. Although he resigned from the jewish religion he had to be afraid of being arrested in Hitler-Germany. In he states he worked at the university of Princeton. Albert Einstein was married twice and had two sons.

Martin Braxtenhaler (Germany)

Martin Braxenthaler was born at March 11th 1972 and is an German monoskier. 1994 he had an accident than he was disabled. His really job is mechanic. Martin Braxenthaler started 1995 with a monoski carrier and two years later he was under the best monoskier of Bavaria. He won the German campionships several time, as well as the weltcup and 10 gold medals, lots of silver and bronze at the Paralympics.Braxenthaler lives and trains in Surberg (close to Bad Reichenhall).

Our BIG Issue "National Heroes"

Steffi Graf (Germany)
Stefanie Marie Agassi geb. Graf was born in 14th Juni 1996 in Mannheim. She is a former professional tennis player from Germany. She won 22 Grand Slam matches and was the number 1 of all tennis players of the world for 377 week.1988 she won all 4 Grand Slam matches and the olympics so she was the first and the last person who won the Golden Slam.

Martin Luther by Lukas Cranach d. ., 1529

Martin Luther (1483 1546) was a German priest and professor of theology who initiated the Protestant Reformation. Strongly disputing the claim that freedom from God's punishment of sin could be purchased with money, he confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzelwith his Theses in1517. His refusal to retract all of his writings at the demand of Pope Leo X in 1520 resulted in his excommunication by the pope and condemnation as an outlaw by the emperor. His theology challenged the authority of the pope of the Roman Catholic Church by teaching that the Bible is the only source of divinely revealed knowledge. His translation of the Bible into the language of the people (instead of Latin) made it more accessible, causing a tremendous impact on the church and on German culture. His marriage to Katharina von Bora set a model for the practice of clerical marriage, allowing Protestant priests to marry. In his later years, Luther became strongly anti-semitic, writing that Jewish homes should be destroyed, their synagogues burned, money confiscated and liberty curtailed. These statements have made Luther a controversial figure among many historians and religious scholars.

Our BIG Issue "National Heroes"

Karl The Great (Germany)
Karl the great (742-28 January 814) was King of the Franks from 768 and Emperor of the Romans(Imperator Romanorum) from 800 to his death.He expanded the Frankish kingdim into an empire that incorporated much of Western and Central Europe.During his reign,he conquered Italy and was crowned Imperator Augustus by Pope Leo 3.

Sophie Scholl (Germany)

(9 May 1921-22.Febuary 1943) was a student,active within the White Rose non-violent resistance group in Nazi Germany. She was convicted of high treason after having been found distributing anti-war leaflets at the University of Munich with her brother Hans.As a resault,they were both executed by guillotine.

Our BIG Issue "National Heroes"

Lech Walesa (Poland)
Lech Walesa (born 29 September 1943) is a Polish politician, trade-union organizer, and human-rights activist. A charismatic leader, he co-founded Solidarity (Solidarnosc), the Soviet bloc's first independent trade union, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983, and served as President of Poland 199095. Walesa was an electrician by trade. Soon after beginning work at the Gdansk Shipyards, he became a trade-union activist. He became a co-founder of the Solidarity trade-union movement. Arrested again after martial law was imposed and Solidarity was outlawed, upon release he continued his activism and was prominent in the establishment of the 1989 Round Table Agreement that led to semi-free parliamentary elections in June 1989 and to a Solidarity-led government. Why is Lech Wasa our national hero? We debated about our national hero for a long time. We have chosen Lech Walesa, because he isn't appreciated enough and we have many reasons: *Fristly Lech Wasa is one of the most important oppositionists. He showed courage, when he became an activist of Solidarnosc, which was Independent Self-Governing Trade Union. *Secondly, he organized many strikes, which were base of his activity. Thanks to them work of shipyard workers improved and dismissed workers were given back their jobs.. *What's more, Lech Walesa's actions were characterized by determination in order to solve his country's problems through negotiation and cooperation. *Lech Walesa is for us a national hero, because he showed that we can fight against opponents who might seem more important. Agata Matulka and Adriana Gorecka

Nicolaus Copernicus (Poland)

Polish great astronomer, founder of the theory of heliocentric. He was the first one who proved that the earth and planets go around the Sun. Nicolaus Copernicius was born on 19th February, 1473, in Torun, in a family of Nicholas and Barbara. He was a Polish astronomer, mathematician, lawyer, economist, physician, astrologer. His most important work is "About the cycle of Heavenly Spheres" (De revolutionibus orbium coelestium), which described the heliocentric vision of the world in detail, to make it scientifically useful. It was a breatkthrough discovery for the development of modern science. Previously it was thought that the other planets orbit a motionless earth. He was famous because he wrote book: De revolutionibus orbium colestium and proved planets go around the sun. Described the heliocentic vision of the universe in detail so that it could be scientifically useful. We decieded to write about this famous person because he is a model to follow by young people. Nicolaus Copernicus possessed many splendid features. He was very intelligent,knowledgeable,creative and hardworking. Joanna, Iza, Kamila, Katarzyna

MICHELANGELO BUONARROTI (CAPRESE MICHELANGELO, MARCH 6, 1475 - ROME, FEBRUARY 18, 1564)WAS A SCULPTOR, PAINTER, ARCHITECT AND ITALIAN POET. THE PROTAGONIST OF THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE, WAS ALREADY RECOGNIZED IN HIS TIME AS ONE OF THE GREATEST ARTISTS OF ALL TIME. WANTED TO MAKE HIS WORK AN ENDLESS SEARCH FOR THE IDEAL OF BEAUTY. MICHELANGELO DID WORK THAT LED HIM TO BE ONE OF THE BEST ARTISTS WORLDWIDE. MICHELANGELO DID WORK THAT LED HIM TO BE ONE OF THE BEST ARTISTS WORLDWIDE. HIS MOST IMPORTANT WORKS WERE: DAVID, THE PIETA OR THE CYCLE OF FRESCOES IN THE SISTINE CHAPEL, THESE ARE CONSIDERED INSURMOUNTABLE INTELLECTUAL CREATIVE ACHIEVEMENTS. DAVID IS A VERY FAMOUS SCULPTURE, MADE OF MARBLE (H 410 CM, 517 WITH BASE) BY MICHELANGELO DATING FROM 1501 AND EARLY 1504 AND NOW HOUSED IN THE GALLERIA DELL'ACCADEMIA IN FLORENCE. WIDELY CONSIDERED A MASTERPIECE OF SCULPTURE WORLDWIDE, IS ONE OF THE EMBLEMS OF THE RENAISSANCE AND A SYMBOL OF FLORENCE AND ITALY IN GENERAL ABROAD.

LEONARDO DA VINCI (An Universal genius) Leonardo Da Vinci, born April 15, 1452 in Vinci was an artist, scientist and Italian painter. Universal man of genius and talent of the Italian Renaissance, embodied in the very spirit of his era, leading to higher forms of expression in the various fields of art and knowledge. He was a painter, sculptor, architect, engineer, designer, anatomist, writer, inventor musicistae. He is considered one of the greatest geniuses of mankind. Vasari also remembered how Leonardo worked "in the sculpture, making, in his youth, land a few heads of females that laugh, that are formed for the art of chalk, and likewise heads of children, which seemed out of the hands of a teacher ". It is not known, however, no safe sculptural work of Leonardo, despite various attributions made in the past. Alessandro Parronchi recently awarded him a Bust of Child, a private collection in Florence.

(Francesca Gelli, Italy)

Giuseppe Garibaldi

Giuseppe Garibaldi was born in Nice in 1807 by a family of sailors and fishermen. He began his career as a seaman, entered in "Young Italy", was forced into exile after the failure of the motions Mazzini in 1834. Between 1835 and 1848 lived in South America where he participated in numerous civil wars that afflicted more than a century that troubled continent. Once he was taken captive, flogged and dragged for miles tied to a horse. Brazil is tied to Anita, a beautiful Creole often pointed his gun at his side and they had three children. In 1848, Garibaldi returned to Italy to support the struggle of the Italians against Austria. Defeated, he returned to America, hunted by police in Italy. In 1870, already old, rushed to France to fight alongside the Paris workers in the town who died not to surrender the city to the Prussians, after which he died in 1882 in the island of Caprera. But in reality who was garibaldi? It was the reflection of a very kind and generous heart, had, along with naive child, even the imperious tone of one accustomed to command and be obeyed. He spoke little but well and was simple and direct. Did not act according to rules but according to his ideals, he believed in God but hated the church. by Irene Billet and Sofia Tomei, Massarosa, Italy Fryderyk Chopin is a Polish national hero. He is the best known Polish musician. Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin was a composer, virtuoso pianist, and music teacher. He was one of the greatest masters of Romantic music. Some of his piano tunes are very difficult to play. Chopin's musical ability was clear when he was very young and newspapers in Warsaw described him as a "Another Mozart". His correct birthday remains enigma to this day, but he and his family have always celebrated his birthday on March 1. Sometimes Chopin's date of birth is given as February 22nd because this is what his birth paper says. Chopin studied in Warsaw. He lived in Poland till 1830, then he moved to Drezno. After that he resided in Paris for the rest of his life. But he really loved Poland and he never forgot about his native country. Chopin died on the 17th October, 1849. His grave is in Paris, but his heart was brought to Poland because of his sister. Over 230 of Chopin's works survive; some manuscripts and pieces from his early childhood have been lost. All of his known compositions involved the piano. Only a few of them ranged beyond solo piano music, as either piano concerti or chamber music works. Chopin's house his grave his piano his monument

Reader's letter from the Mayor of Massarosa, Italy It is with great pleasure that I may give my greetings to all of you: students, teachers and families that will work together through this project for the realization and the promotion of a United Europe. It s an opportunity that we can not miss: the utilisation of technologies which enables us to have exchanges and contacts with partner schools and the practice of different languages are important stimuli not only for cultural and professional enrichment but also for a human experience that surely will be not be forgotten in the spirit of all the participants. Thus, special thanks to all the teachers, boys , girls and their families for their tenacity and commitment, which has given substance to this idea. A warm hug and a good study-holiday to all. THE MAYOR

What does Comenius mean to me ... ? Comenius is Learning things that you never would have learned Seeing things that you never would have seen Meeting people that you never would have met Making friends where you never would have been Making experiences that you never would have made In November 2008 I was in my bed (because a caught a flu) with the Notebook on my knees where I wrote the first draft of my ideas for a Comenius-project. In the following 2 years I found new friends, new partners, the project has been accepted, I met your teachers and some of your students, we started to work on the platform and we are now proud to present BAF 01 and we will meet at Sofia (5th to 10th November) ... THANKS TO ALL THE FRIENDS AND PARTNERS IN POLAND, TURKEY, BULGARIA, CYPRUS AND GERMANY THANKS TO MY SCHOOL, MY HEADMASTER, MY COLLEAGUES AND (first of all) TO OUR STUDENTS (by Peter Ferrari Demski, Massarosa, Italy)

Readers letters
My house I live in a town that is called Latsia. My house in situated in a quiet neighbourhood. Near my house there are many fields and there isnt a lot of noise because there isnt a lot of traffic. We have a beautiful view as my house overlooks trees and park. The people in our neighbourhood are very friendly and polite. Persefoni Panagi

My new school name is Latsia High school.I llike my new school.It is a vert big and old building. It has a lot of classrooms and a big garden with flowers and plants. In my school I have a lot of new friedns and teachers. My school starts at 7.30 and finishes at 1;35. My chlass name A 4 and we are 25 students. It is different from elementary shcool because we have new subjects such as Infromation and Technology,Anceint Greek, French and Biology. All the teachers are good and they love us. I love my new school Persefoni Panagi Hi everyone, Im Kate, Im from Poland and Im 16. When I went to a new school- primary school- I started to belong to charity organisation called PCK - Polish Red Cross, because I wanted to help others and make a smile on their faces. I'm still a volunteer At the moment we are going to organize a collection of toys for kids of 'urban resort assistance' .I think in future we will operate even more efficiently. We also help disabled children after school or work as volunteers in hospitals. Unfortunately, now I havent got much time to do it. Maybe when I organize my time better , I will be able to do more work as a volunteer. I know that is a responsible job. And do you belong to any charity organisation? Have you got any suggestions about what we should do to help others? Im looking forward to hearing from you. All the best, Kate A postcard from Italy ... Hi, I hope you like my Front Page design.

With very wishes from Poland, Bartosz GREETINGS TO THE REST OF THE WORLD FROM ALL THE MASSAROSA-TEAM ;)

VIOLIN MY WHOLE LIFE

How did this all start? Since the youngest years music has always fascinated me, so in the second class of primary school my mum decided to send me to musical school. I was to attend piano classes, but when the instructor asked me what instrument I wanted to play, I answered: violin. So this is how it started. The beginnings were a nightmare. This was not similar to any music :) but I didn't give up easilly and I began to practice more and more in the house. The biggest turning point for me, in my violin performance, was when I started my education in secondary school. I began to play from hearing and compose music. I was accepted to the school music/choir band and we stepped performing together at academies. For three years I have participated in festivals and competitions, sometimes with better results, sometimes with worse, but this does not master. What really matters is fun, the feeling when I feel the scent of fresh colophony, scent of violin.

A violin is usually associated with classical music. However, I break this stereotype playing all kinds of music: starting with pop and finishing with rock and Gothic metal. A violin is difficult to play. It requires much persistence in order to learn to play it well. However, the results that follow my nine-year-old violin-experience are satisfying to me.

Wiktoria Malachowska

My leisure time
My names Maciek. Im fifteen years old and Im a typical teenager. Thats why I spend my spare time listening to music, watching TV or surfing the Internet. I dont enjoy listening to classical music because I think I think it isnt modern enough. Im fond of new sounds like: pop and techno. My favourite TV programme is Got Talent. Every Saturday evening my family watch it with flushes on their faces. We laugh and have a great time together. After school I always surf the Internet .I love travelling and thats why I often look for some unusual and interesting places which I would like to visit in the future. According to one of the Polish sayings There is a healthy soul, in a healthy body I often go swimming. It helps me to be in a good shape. At the end of such an active day I like going to bed reading my favourite book and then I know that I have spent my leisure time in the best possible way. Maciek Warpechowski

My favourite sport is Triathlon

Hello to all participants of Comenius, my name is Martina Im thirteen years old and I m attending the third year of secondary school. With pleasure I want to talk to you about the sport that I practice with great passion: the triathlon. The triathlon consists of three sports: running , racing bike or mountain bike and swimming. All three sports are done in sequence during a race, you can swim in the sea, swimming pool o in a lake, you can run and ride bike on many grounds: sand, asphalt, dirt, a plain or hilly. Competitors at the races are classified into eight categories: puppies, beginners, boys and girls , cadets, junior students, youth A and youth B and I am currently in the first year of the cadets and I have been a member of the Phoenix Triathlon Massarosa for two years. My first race was not very great I could not to finish it because in the sea trial I was rescued by a rowing boat because I was afraid not to get to beach. However, during that race, I understood as a spectator the mistakes that other competitors were doing so I learned not to redo them. The first time I did this sport just to do something without a real pleasure now I am more interested and I can enjoy all the time during the game without be only a viewer but the athlete whit the mission not just to win but to finish the race! During the last year i enjoyed my first two victories and they were fantastic. I am very happy with my team and girls who train whit me even if I wish there were less competition, at least among us. In addition to Leonardo my coach, who introduced me to this sport, I must also thank my parents because they have always accompanied me to the training sessions and encouraged me in moments of despair in this sport!

Beyond History
28th October 1940 On the eve of 28 October 1940, Italy's ambassador in Athens , Emanuele Grazzi, handed an ultimatum from Mussolini to Metaxas. Metaxas rejected the ultimatum with the words "Alors, c'est la guerre" (French for "Then, it's war."). In this he echoed the will of the Greek people to resist, a will which was popularly expressed in one word: "Ochi" () (the Greek word for "No"). Within hours Italy began attacking Greece from Albania. Every year on the 28th October Greek and Cypriots celebrate this event by student parades and celebrations in the schools.You can see some photos in our school for this year celebrations.

The Vikings' Settlement First Class Integration Trip On 14th October all first-classes from our school went on an integration trip to the settlement of Vikings in Warsaw. Everyone gathered in front of the school for the meeting at 8 oclock. In the city of Vikings we were before 10 am. First, we met all the members of the family of Vikings. One of the oldest members told us about the origins of the Vikings and the stories associated with them. Everyone listened carefully. Then we had a break to take advantage of some attractions in the village of Vikings, such as archery and fighting with bags of hay. Then they showed us the Viking costumes and we were watching their fights. When we all were cold, there was organized a bonfire, at which we were able to warm up. Anyone who was hungry could eat a grilled sausage. At the end all the classes were playing the tug-of-war. After we left, everyone on the bus was a bit tired and cold but also full of excitement.The trip was very interesting and most students liked it very much. Everyone listened with interest to the history of Vikings. Despite the fact that it was cold I enjoyed the trip.

Maciek and Daria

Visit of the Gotic Line, a defense-line of the German Wehrmacht against the Allied Forces in World War II
Saturday, 29th May a group of the middle school of Massarosa went to visit the Gotic Line, the defensive line used by the Germans in World War II to protect themselves against the advancing Allied troops. The Gotic Line (also Green Line) was 300 km long from Sarzana (Western coast) to Ancona (Eastern coast). The Green Line was built under the supervision of the Organistion Todt by volunteers and informal workers. It was a mixed group of students, their parents and two teachers with their families. They arrived at Diecimo and were accompanied by a guide on a hill where some bunkers dugged in the ground were located , where once the German soldiers were guarding the surrounding territory. After seeing that the group went to visit the tunnels, galleries and bunkers in the near mountains where they saw the remains of helmets worn by soldiers, ammunition cartridges, maps of the surrounding area, weapons and various other things. Then it was time to go to lunch and they went to the place where they ate all together. After having eaten and rested a bit, the group went on the way to go and see a tunnel dug under the church of Anchiano, whose entry has trussed a large propeller of a military aircraft of World War II.

They should wear a helmet to enter and after a walk in the galleries they found themselves in a small loophole where they could see the entire valley and surrounding mountainlandscape, that is also full of caves where the soldiers took refuge during enemies' attacks. After everyone has had the opportunity to see the fantastic landscape, the kids with their parents headed to Devil's Bridge and below the Chain Bridge. Finally after visiting the two bridges the Germanteacher brought the boys to an ice-cream shop where everybody took a nice ice cream and at 16:00 all families took their cars and went home. Nicola Venturi, Massarosa, Italy

Republic Day (Turkey)

DAY OF THE REPUBLIC Many people in Turkey celebrate Republic Day on October 29 by attending performances and participating in traditional processions with flags and musical bands. The Turkish Republics founder Mustafa Kemal Atatrk proclaimed Republic Day as Turkeys most important

What do people do?

It is celebrated on the 29th of October every year. That day is important in many ways. It is an established day to celebrate the freedom of the nation. There are celebrations in every city, especially in the capital city where there is a military show. Members of government and other officials with high degrees participate in it. School students present shows that indicate the meaning and significance of the day. Everywhere flags and flames are carried. People enjoy singing songs. Many people go to local stadiums on October 29 to watch performances dedicated to Republic Day in Turkey. Such performances usually consist of theater sketches, poetry readings and traditional Turkish dances. Many school children participate in school performances for parents and teachers. Parades may take place in some cities and politicians may give public speeches on this day. Many people also lay wreaths to Atatrks monuments or visit Atatrks mausoleum in the countrys capital, Ankara.In the evening of October 29 many cities have traditional processions with flags and musical bands to commemorate Republic Day in Turkey. The processions usually end with fireworks, which begin after dark. At night, the enjoyment continues. There are fireworks and the sky is painted in colours. In brief, all of the people in the country become unique and share the same emotions.

Public life
Republic Day is an official national holiday in Turkey. Public administration buildings, schools, post offices and many small businesses are usually closed on this day. Public transport schedules may vary. Public transport routes may change in the event of street performances and processions. The afternoon of the previous day, October 28, is also an official holiday.

Background
Republic Day marks the creation of the Turkish Republic in 1923. After Turkeys victory in the War of Independence (1919-1923), the Turkish parliament proclaimed the new Turkish state as a republic. A new constitution, which the parliament adopted on October 29, 1923, replaced the constitution of the Ottoman Empire. The leader in the Turkish War of Independence, Mustafa Kemal Atatrk, became the countrys first president on the same day. According to Atatrk, Republic Day is Turkeys most important holiday.

Symbols
The common symbols of Republic Day in Turkey are:

The Turkish flag. Pictures of Mustafa Kemal Atatrk.

1st November - All Souls' Day (Poland)

Feast of All Saints is largely attributable to the veneration of martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the faith in Christ. Pope Gregory III in 731 moved the ceremony on 1st November, and in 837 Gregory IV decreed that from now on 1st November was not only dedicated to the memory of the martyrs, but all the saints of the Catholic Church. At the same time at the request of the Emperor Louis the Pious extended this feast to the whole Church. The first day of November in Poland is a day off from work, which means that many people travel great distances, even to visit the graves of their loved ones. People visit cemeteries to decorate graves with flowers, light candles and pray for the intentions of their dead. This festival is religious, predominantly Catholic, it also celebrates the many people of other faiths. It is an expression of remembrance and to honor and respect the dead. This feast was also a day off during the times of communism in Poland, but they officially tried to give it a secular character, and called it the day of All Saints, or the Feast of All Souls. This name will remain in the consciousness of many people, as the name of the church's liturgical celebration: All Saints.

Independence Day (Cyprus)

On the 1st of October we celebrated the independence day of Cyprus. The 16th of August 1960, Archbishop Makarios III representing the Greek Cypriots and Dr. Fazil Kk representing the Turkish Cypriots have signed the independence of Cyprus from the British Empire. This agreement ended the British rule on the island. We celebrate our Independence Day with festivals at schools and communities. We also have the big military parade on the same day.

11th November - Independence Day (Poland)

It is celebrated on 11th November. The holiday is connected with general Jozef Piludski. In 1918 after 123 years of partitions Poland reappeared on the map of Europe as a sovereign democratic country. After being feed from prison Pilsudski came back to Poland on 10th November 1918. The next day the agreement to end World War I was signed. After World War II the Polish people's authorities removed Independence Day from the calendar. In 1989 the 9th term of the Sejm government reinstated the holiday to Polish people. Polish Independence Day observances are marked with parades and ceremonies. Observers as well as participants in the parades, flaut the national colours of red and white and carry Polish flags. The principal event is held in Warsaw at Pilsudski Square in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where the President or Prime Minister officiates. Celebration in Cracow includes a military parade and a catholic mass in Wawel castle cathedral where many Polish kings and national leaders are buried. More recently, sport events are Schedule for Independence Day Warsaw celebrates with an annual Idependence Run that attracts thousands of runners. Paula Witkowska

Sofia - Ever Growing, Never Ageing

A Legend about Sofia Once upon a time there was a king who had a beautiful daughter. She was bright, gentle and good girl and he loved her more than everything in the world. One day the princess got ill. All doctors and medicine-men in the country were called to help her but she felt worse every day. None of them could do anything for her as nobody knew what she really had. The girl was dying in front of the eyes of her father and the old king felt very unhappy seeing that he was losing her. So he sent horsemen in all directions of the Earth to search for someone who would cure the princess. The time was passing and many foreign medicine-men, doctors and herbalists coming from all edges of the world took turn in trying to give the girl a remedy. And when nobody believed she would live, an old stranger stood at the king and told him to send her to a little town, far from there, just to live in it for some time. The desperate father immediately told the servants to prepare the princess and the other day sent her with a small group of loyal courtiers to that unknown place. It was a small stone-built town in the foot of a beautiful mountain with nice and tranquil inhabitants. They loved the foreign princess and took care of her like if she was their own child. She soon felt better breathing the fresh air and drinking the clear water. She fell in love with those kind people and their wonderful town, Serdika. She decided to stay living there. As she was so nice and tender all her life that people loved her and kept her in their minds forever. After her death they built a church in her memory and named it after her name, St. Sofia. Later they even started to call their town with it.

History of Grojec (Poland)

HISTORY OF GROJEC Grojec is one of the oldest towns of Southern Mazovia situated in the centre of Poland. The town was established in VII B.C. Till the 17th century it was called Grodziec, then since the 19th century the town has been called Grojec. It was granted city rights in 1419.

Grojec developed very quickly between the 15th and 16th century thanks to such Polish kings as King Zygmunt I and King Zygmunt August. It was also given the privilege to organise markets on Tuesdays. At the break of the 16th and 17th century, a hospital was built. Between 1520 and 1530, a Gothic, brick St. Nicholas' church was built. The town was destroyed after the Swedish invasion. In 1810 Grojec had over 1,000 inhabitans. In the first half of the 19th century many markets places appeared. A large number of new structures were built, such as classicistic town hall (18221825), brick houses on the market square, post office, primary school, sheltered accommodation, hospital ( 1857) and commercial halls. First, large scale orchards developed in Grojec in the last quarter of the 19th century. In 1914, the town was given a right to organise six fairs a year, each on Thursday. Even today theres a big open-air market every Thursday. The whole development of the town made its population rise, from nearly 6,000 before the First World War to about 16,000 today. During the Second World War, Grojec was a shelter for people from Warsaw. On 15th January 1945 Grojec was liberated. Afer the war, the town was still the district authorities' seat. In 1990, Grojec became a District Office seat administrating the area of 1,390 km and 103,500 inhabitants. ''Grojec Days of Blossoming Apple Trees'' have been organised since 1959, because Grojec is one of the biggest regions in Europe where apples are cultivated. Rafal Nowicki

Cyprus Bulgarian vocabulary

Limericks - Funny English Poetry

Here are some limericks written by Edward Lear There was an Old Person whose habits, Induced him to feed upon rabbits; When he'd eaten eighteen, He turned perfectly green, Upon which he relinquished those habits. There was an Old Man who supposed, That the street door was partially closed; But some very large rats, Ate his coats and his hats, While that futile old gentleman dozed. There was an Old Man of the West, Who wore a pale plum-coloured vest; When they said, 'Does it fit?' He replied, 'Not a bit!' That uneasy Old Man of the West. There was an Old Man of Moldavia, Who had the most curious behaviour; For while he was able, He slept on a table. That funny Old Man of Moldavia.

Language puzzle

A good language learner (Turkey)

A Good Language Learner Learning a language means learning all four skills; reading, writing, listening and speaking. The main aim is to be able to use the language. Let's think about why people study English. People study a foreign language because they want to be able to communicate with other people. A learner should talk and write easily. Also, a learner should understand the things he or she reads and hears.We should improve all of our skills at the same time. I don't have much difficulty learning English. I have the most difficulty in speaking and writing because they need a lot of practice. I always try to watch English movies and read English books. I never look for opportunities to practice speaking in my daily life but I will have an opportunity to practice my English with this Comenius Project? I think that learning vocabulary is very important, too. Moreover combining different skills is the most important key in learning a new language better. I believe it's all right to make mistakes. Our teacher never interrupts us. In my opinion, it's a good way of encouragement for me. Friends shouldn't correct each other's errors. When they correct my errors, personally, I feel uncomfortable. But I try to learn from my own mistakes.

Can Ahmet AAR

SAINT ANDREWS DAY

Saint Andrew's Eve (also called Andrzejki) is a traditional festival celebrated in Poland on the night of 30th November since 13th century. Saint Andrew is a patron of Scotland but the festival is not celebrated on his name-day. In Poland there exists a superstitious belief that the night before St. Andrew's Day is specially suitable for magic that reveals a young woman's future husband or that binds a future husband to her. Fortune-telling is a centuries-old tradition. It was once believed that the ghosts of our ancestors came back to reveal the secrets of the unknown to the living. In the past only girls and young unmarried women foretold their future to see their potential husbands. Nowadays both boys and girls enjoy this day. To foretell the future they need small everyday objects like keys, shoes, apples or candles. The purpose of the fortune telling is to find out something about future partners. Probably the most famous fortune of this festival is pouring the wax. First, one must melt the wax and pour it through a keyhole into cold water. Than everybody looks at the shape of the wax and predicts one's own future. There is also the tradition of putting shoes in a line and taking the last shoe to the front one by one, the girl whose shoe crosses the door's threshold will be the first to get married. In Poland, it is popular for women to put pieces of paper (on which they have written potential husbands) under the pillow and first thing in the morning they take one out, which reveals the name of the future husband. There are many other methods of foretelling one's future husband, including the use of a pendulum, tea leaves and apple peelings. This future may refer to money, travelling, health or love. Saint Andrew's Eve is a fantastic opportunity to meet your old friends and get to know new people. Although people don't take fortunes seriously, they have a great time, so I thoroughly recommend this festival. Micha Komarnick

A true friend (Turkey)

A True Friend... My friend should be reliable I must believe her all the time. My friend should be funny, I must always laugh with her. My friend should be a good listener She should listen to me when I am speaking my friend shoud keep my secrets I should share everything with her Warm greetings from the Polish COMENIUS team My friend should be honest She should always tell the truth Sy friend should be supportive she should be there wehenever I need her. Hasan Kaya

Polish 'Golden' Autumn is really cool, isn't it?

What a mess - Class 3b of Massarosa

In my class we are in twenty-seven students, so we are very numerous. The majority are girls, but this does not mean that my class is quiet!! There are times when we laughed, perhaps to the beat of a mate, and thus also involve the teacher, but sometimes get carried away and we can get some hands and for this we are scolded, but if we commitment we know to be really smart guys!!! together we have fun like crazy, and so it becomes very pleasant, at least for me because I really enjoy. Let's say you work a lot as a team, we know that help one another when there is a need. This does not mean that there are no quarrels, because it would be too weird, but always solve everything. In my conclusion I think that I can't have a better class, and I hope to stay in touch with each member after the end of school year

Gigi Buffon - Our Goalkeeper Number One Gianluigi Buffon (Carrara, January 28, 1978) is an Italian footbal-playerl, Juventus goalkeeper and in the Italian national team. World Champion with the National in 2006, the same year was awarded by FIFA as the best goalkeeper in the World Championships and was ranked second in the Golden Ball after his compatriot Fabio Cannavaro. IN NATIONAL AND HIS WORLD Play in all youth representative Italian dall'Under the Italy-15-23. Play the European Under-15 in Turkey in 1993, reached the final at the European Under-19 in 1995 and won the European Under-21 1996. He made his debut in the senior team at 19, 29 October 1997 in the match Russia-Italy (1-1), the playoff round of World Cup qualifiers in 1998, where after replacing the injured Gianluca Pagliuca undergoes the first goal with an own Fabio Cannavaro, his teammate at the time. Under the guidance of Giovanni Trapattoni is in the 2002 World Cup and European Championship 2004. On 1 June 2010 was selected for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. In the first group match against Paraguay (1-1) was injured in the back, accusing a sciatic nerve problem that forced him to leave the field during the interval.In its place came Federico Marchetti that he held for the other two group matches which saw Italy eliminated: Buffon then closed the competition with a presence and a network suffered. by Filippo Innocenti, Alessio Giannini e Arianna Fabbri, Massarosa, Italy Valentino Rossi (Urbino, February 16, 1979) is an Italian motorcyclist. Listed as one of the holder of the MotoGP riders, by virtue of irises won nine of which the first 17 years, is the only rider in the history of this discipline motorcycle to have won the championship in four different classes: 125 (1 ) 250 (1), 500 (1) and MotoGP (6). When passed in MotoGP, with Honda started, winning his first world title in 2002, winning the following year. Five MotoGP wins with Honda. In the 2004 season Rossi moves from Honda to Yamaha, this team has remained until today, when he moved from Yamaha to Ducati. Valentino Rossi celebrates the hundredth victory in Assen (Netherlands) in 2009. In 2010 he had a bad incident at Mugello, the famous Italian track, the curves Biondetti, fell, getting a fracture of tibia and fibula of his right leg. Valentino Rossi suffered a high side and was literally knocked off his motorcycle. In the fall of the driver slammed violently Tavullia the lower part of his right leg. He's fine, but the stop could be very long ... and the 2010 World Cup is at risk! Although Jorge Lorenzo won the world championship, team-mate Valentino. After the accident falls on the track without fear, preparing for next year. (by Giulio D'Agliano, Massarosa, Italy) Ferrari S.p.A. is an Italian car. It was founded by Enzo Ferrari and produces high-end sports cars and racing. It also manages the Scuderia Ferrari, one of the most famous and titled sports teams involved in car racing. The company is based in Maranello, near Modena. Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, a former president of Confindustria and Fiat Group, is the chairman. The symbol, the "prancing horse", is from Romagna and ace aviator of World War Francesco Baracca (1888-1918) given personally by his mother in 1923 as an in-luck race car driver Enzo Ferrari and Ferrari this is the mark of both in the Scuderia Ferrari. In fiscal 2008 Ferrari S.p.A. sold 6587 cars with a turnover of 1.921 billion euro. Lorenzo Pardini, Gabriele Rossi, Jacopo Lunardini, Massarosa, Italy

Hello, I'm Patrycja from Poland. I'm happy my logo design has been voted as the official logo of BAF magazine. Warm greetings to all the BAF team, Patrycja

In the next issue:

MYTHS AND LEGENDS ( The Big Issue) More articles on school and local events Comenius visit to Bulgaria (5-11th November) Christmas traditions And many more

Editors: country coordinators: Pawel Posnik (Poland), Peter Ferrari Demski (Italy), Maria Zographou (Cyprus), Derya Gulunay (Turkey), Ulrike Peterhoff (Germany), Verginia Veselinova Rakadijeva (Bulgaria) Contributors (writers): pupils/students from INTERNATIONAL BAF TEAM (Italy, Germany, Cyprus, Turkey, Bulgaria, Poland) Technical support for BAF website: Massarosa Team (Peter Ferrari Demski) Technical support with BAF1 layout: Lukasz, Sebastian and Bartosz (Poland)