Happy Easter!

I wish fine and peaceful holidays to you all!

Happy Easter!
Frohe Ostern!
Buona Pasqua!
¡Feliz Pascua!
Priecīgas Lieldienas!

Peter

Spring ...

Finally we got spring and I'm looking forward to the funny Easter egg hunting ...


Greetings from Austria
Peter

Dikli Tourism Path

Dikli is a quit rural village in the Northern part of Latvia. Dikli is well known as the birthplace of the Latvian theatre and Song Festivals.

Our tourism path starts from Dikli school.

1. Jura Neikena Dikli Elementary school.

The present school building was built in the year 1876 ( the oldest part of the school). There were grades from the 1st to 4th before 1929.

• In 1931. Budenbrok school was affiliated to Dikli school .
• In 1940. Dikli school had 7 grades and became an incomplete secondary school.
• In 1952. Dikli municipality council granted Dikli school a new building. It became a boarding school.
• In 1962 school had already 8 grades. From 1963 to 1967 the new annexe has built- gym hall.
• In 1989 school was given a new name – J. Neikena Dikli nine year school.
• In 1992 school was given a new name – J.Neikena Dikli primary school.
• In 2006 school celebrated 130 years anniversary.

2. Dikli Evangelic Lutheran Church

A small wooden church was built as a pile building back in 1722 which was transformed into a brick building in 1848. retaining its previous form. From 1857.-1867, the vicar of this church was Juris Neikens. The church is home to one of the most ornamental of baroque era church altars in Vidzeme. (built in 1698) and a pulpit ( built in 1699.) which was created by a sculptor from the Riga sculptor’s workshop.
J.Neikens ( 1826.-1868)- pastor, writer- worked at Dikli congregation (draudzē). 1864 Dikli was arranged for the first Latvian song festival.

3. Dikli Stage-platform (estrāde) – variety art

During the summer festival of 1864. not far from the Dikli Estate Park, the first ever song festival took place organised by clergyman and writer Juris Neikens.

4. Jura Neikena memorial stone.

Historical Monument is the first Latvian song festival venue on the Neikena hill.
There is set up a memorial stone .

5. Dikli palace-hotel.

(1896) - built in the neo-baroque style, now fully renovated as a luxurious hotel and events venue, but also open to visitors. There is beautiful interior detailing throughout, with splendid tiled fireplaces in many halls. The ground floor has been reconstructed as a cosy restaurant, billiard room and spa. The estate has numerous outbuildings and a landscaped park.It is an ideal place for recreation , seminars and celebrations. The hotel is located on a small cobble stone street, 100m from Dikli centre. The manor house was built in neo-baroque style in 1896. It offers a four star hotel, restaurant and recreation facilities. There are a great collection of old stones and fireplaces.
In 1818, Dikli Palace was the venue for a performance of Friedrich Schiller”s play. The robbers’ translated by a servant on the estate, Janis Peitans , in which the local farmers resident in the vicinity of Dikli took to the stage as actors.

Have a nice walk along the path!

DIKLI VISITS ADEJE

We, Vija and Gunta , teachers of Jura Neikena Dikli Elementary school, visited Tenerife, Collegio Costa Adeje school from 15.02.-20.02.09.. We had a wonderful welcome and we felt at home.
We must be very gratefull to all teachers and students of Adeje, specially to Nuria, Lola and Loly who organized our days in Adeje, stay and welfare in Adeje and in Santa Cruz .
First Nuria introduced us with her school and teachers.
The first activity - we presented Latvia, Valmiera and Dikli school to students and teachers.
Students had a lot of questions about our presentation. They wanted to know where is Latvia, about our flag, about our animals and where now are Russians.

We took several activities to share with teachers and students at Collegio Costa Adeje.
The second activity was an activity where we used authentic materials to integrate the Latvian culture into the English classroom.In this activity students had to identify some items related to the Latvian culture and tourism. Then they had to answer questions about Latvia.
We had two board games, too.

We attended English lessons and talked about school’s life. We talked about differences between private school and state school.
Gunta learned Latvian Folk songs and dances to students of Collegio Costa Adeje. They were excellent executors. They did it with pleasure.

We were on trip to Teide National park (Pargue Nacional Del Teide). It is situated at the centre of the island of Tenerife. The Teide National park offered us one of the most spectacular examples of volcanic and biological singularity , covering an area of 18.990 hectares , it is the major National park of the Canary Islands. It is wonderful place to visit. Beautiful nature and tourism together.
I had interview – one student wanted to know how lives together Nature and tourism. What I think about it. Is it possible to let tourists to visit this volcano and is it dangerous for Nature?
Then we visited La Orotava . The Oratova Valley-the garden of Teide, extends from the slopes of the great volcano to a coast of suggesting forms and sea flavours, offered us the wonderful sights.
In Santa Ursula we visited a museum of wine.
Next day we had the second presentation of Latvia to other students group.
We had interesting activities with students at school.
We had wonderful possibility to see their fantastic Carneval’s dress rehearsal and concert.(without masks). It was exciting.
We saw a beach with white sand -golden sand and with the European Blue Flag. It is 1000 metres long. It is suitable for all the family to enjoy the sea and the salted breeze of the Atlantic
After saying thanks and goodbye to teachers and headmaster we went to Santa Cruz by bus. It is located at the Northwest of the island and occupies an extension of 151 sq.km. It is a capital of Tenerife island.
The best way to encounter the city was on foot, in order to discover the many charming secrets the city holds.

We saw a beautiful park with colourful flowers springing from each corner. The city had temperature of 20°C, a pleasant climate to be enjoyed.
Later we had dinner with Nuria and her sister. It was interesting evening and the last in Tenerife.
Very pitty, but we must be at home.
Now we have good friends in Tenerife. We are proud.
Once more thanks to Nuria, Lola, Loly, Sergio ,Jorge and other teachers of Collegio Costa Adeje school.

Vija Skuja,
Coordinator of Comenius project.

Verona students on trip to Adeje

Verona partners: 12 students + 2 teachers spent unforgettable shiny days(8) in a students exchange in Tenerife, Spain. The flight took about 4-5 hours (depending on stops in Fuerteventura).

We must be very grateful to all teachers, students and parents of Adeje, but particularly to Nuria who wonderfully organized our days, stay and welfare in Adeje. The Veronese students attended classes with Spanish friends, they went on several interesting trips to Teide Volcano, Santa Cruz, La Laguna, La Orotava, played sports in Top Training swimming pools, swam in the ocean in Las Americas beach, sang, had fun in theme parks.
The hosting families were really very kind and open to foreigners.

We must be thankful also to Lola & Loli, to Jorge and Sergio.

While thinking about the Spanish visit in Verona around the last week of April we send a big hug

Claudio & C°.

Adeje visits Dikli

Loly and Lola, teachers at Costa Adeje School (Tenerife- Spain), visited Latvia last October. We had a wonderful welcome and we felt at home.









We took several activities to share with teachers and students at Dikli School.







Our first activity was a presentation of our islands, our second activity was a game in which maths skills and English were involved and our third activity was an activity in which we used authentic material to integrate the Spanish culture into the English classroom. In this activity students had to identify some items related to the Spanish and Canarian culture and tourism and then they had to answer some questions related to the items above mentioned.




We also made a Spanish omelette. We gave the students a recipe in English so they had to follow directions to be able to cook and enjoy a perfect Spanish omelette. The students set the table very nicely and we all ate it up in the afternoon.



On our last day students had a party at school. First of all they sang several songs, they had a riddle contest and some regional dance. Some students had the chance of showing their dancing skills, they even danced rock and roll for the whole school.
In the evening we visited Cesis with our host-teachers. Cesis is a lovely, medieval city near Valmiera, the town where we stayed.

We are very grateful for everything they did. We had a great time. They are all the best host-teachers ever! Thanks Vija! Thanks Dikli School!

Sea Turtles' Loose in Tenerife

The 4th ESO students of Colegio Costa Adeje have recently taken part in an activity called “Sea Turtles’ Loose” in Los Abades (a little beach in the south east of Tenerife). There is on Tenerife an association, Fundación Neotrópico, which takes care of sick sea turtles found in our coasts until they recover.

In the activity we were first introduced to the different types of sea turtles which live in our coasts:
- Kemp’s ridley (Tortuga golfina)
- Hawksbill (Tortuga Carey)
- Loggerhead turtle (Tortuga boba)
- Green turtle (Tortuga verde)
- Leatherback (Tortuga laúd)

Then we were told about the main threats for them:
- Ingestion of plastics, fish-hooks, abandoned nets and garbages.
- Destruction of nesting places. - Consumption of turtles eggs or meat.
- Souvenirs production.
- Impacts with boats.

We were also given some pieces of advice about what to do if we find a sick sea turtle. The most important fact is to call the emergency team (112) immediately, but while we are waiting for them and depending on its illness, we should:
- If it is oiled: Clear nostrils and mouth to let it breath.
- If it is got entangled: Cut the net or garbage to diminish pain and to restore blood flow.
- If it has swallowed fish-hooks or fish-lines: Do not pull the line, only cut it. The veterinarians will extract the hook with surgery.
- If it has a broken shell: Cover the wounds or broken shell with a towel moisten with water until the rescue team arrive.

After that we had a unique experience: a recovered sea turtle found some months ago, was released back into the sea. It was put on the sand in front of us while we were making a lot of noise until it found its way to the water by itself. It was really exciting! Have a look at the video!

At the end of the activity we were given a simple key to recognize the different kinds of sea turtles living near the Canary Islands. For further information about sea turtles, the association or others, have a look at: http://www.neotropico.org/ They also have some documents related to turtles in English and Spanish at: http://www.neotropico.org/spip.php?article (You only have to download a pdf document)

Trip to Seville

Seville - a beautiful city - and we had the pleasure to visit our partnerschool!

19 students from the BG Babenbergerring visited the partners in Seville. They were accompanied by Nora Kurzreiter, Sabine Ungersbäck and me.
We had several special experiences:
The students were invited to lunch by the parents of our partners and got the opportunity to get an impression of the “Spanish way of live”. This intercultural exchange was one of the most important aspects of the visit.
We could have a look at the school and get an impression about the school life. We learned about the Spanish school systems, the different school structure and behavior.
Besides we could explore the touristic sides and get an impression of City Tourism in a big city like Seville. We were on tour with our Spanish partners and could benefit quite a lot from our Spanish friends.






Here is a video - thanks to Krisi for editing!



There is a picture album at PicAsa

Some other pictures (using Slide) from SAFA school:

Pictures from Seville:

Trip to Wiener Neustadt

From October 15th until October 19th 6 students of Dikli and two teachers visited Austria, Wiener Neustadt, BG Babenbergerring. Students were quartered at Austrians’ student’s places. Austrian families generously opened their homes to our students. Some of them had already known each other from Dikli in June and from „aulavirtual”, but some of them met the first time.
The first day we had guided Tour through school. For Dikli students it was very interesting to see this school. They never have been in a broad and in so big school.
We saw Picture rally, too. It was wonderful.. We remembered our common activities in June in Latvia.
Next day our students visited lessons at school. It was something new for them.
Peter and his students had prepared an exciting planning of joint activities that gave us the opportunity to share a few days of work and fun together. Thanks them .
We had finissage of the exhibition at school . Students from Austria presented this exhibition. It was nice to see have carefully they had done it.
We visited the Museum and after that we participated at a sight-seeing tour in Wiener Neustadt with Norbert Koppensteiner. He is a very good guide. And after that we went to „Arena Nova” to study the event hall and have a look at the current fair. Our students spent very nice time there.
On Friday we had an excursion to Vienna together with the 6A class and with their wonderful teacher Harald Makl. We visited two museums and did a bit sight-seeing. It was interesting trip.
On Saturday we were at the market place and did shopping. After that we had a trip to the so-called Skywalk on the „Hohe Wand” mountain. It is wonderful place for resting. Students enjoyed it.
Later we had dinner at a „Heurigen”. The students were invited to lunch by the parents of our partners. In this restaurant we had typical, very tasty Austrian food. Some parents were together with us and it gladdened the heart.
Next day at 6.30 am we had to say good bye while we were fighting back our tear. We all wanted to spend more time together because all days long it was great fun. We learned a lot about Austrian culture and lifestyle. We have a lot similarities. I think now we became good friends.
Many thanks to Peter, Harald, Norbert, Nora, students and parents who took care about us.

Spanish people from Seville visited our school in Austria

From October 3rd until October 7th, thirteen students of Seville came to visit our school in Austria. They were quartered at some of our student’s places. Some of us had already known each other from „aulavirtual“ and others met the first time. Although there are quite a lot differences between the Spanish and Austrian lifestyle, there are of course a lot of similarities too. We all got along with each other pretty well and soon we became good friends and had a lot of fun together.

On Saturday we had an excursion to Vienna. We visited „Schönbrunn“ palace and many other interesting sights. In the evening we decided to have a short walk to the museum of Wiener Neustadt to see the exhibition there and then we went out to Clumsy’s pub in the famous „Herrengasse“.

The next day we had a trip to the so-called Skywalk on the „Hohe Wand“ mountain. In the late afternoon we had dinner at a „Heurigen“, a typical Austrian restaurant.

On the following day we visited Vienna for the second time together with the „great master“ Harald Makl.

On the last day we participated in a sight-seeing tour in Wiener Neustadt with Norbert Koppensteiner and then had lunch at „Hartig’s Domheurigen“. At 4.30 pm we had to say good bye while we were fighting back our tear. We all wanted to spend much more time together because all days long it was great fun. We learned a lot about the differences and the similarities concerning the culture in both countries and it was a really great experience.

Text: Markus Matzl

The trip to Austria (October 2008)

The trip to Austria was presented yesterday in Seville to both students and their parents. This mobility will take place from 3^rd to 7^th of October. Thirteen students and two teachers from SAFA will travel to Wiener Neustadt where Peter and his students have prepared an exciting planning of joint activities that will give us the opportunity to share a few days of work and fun together.
We would like to thank the Austrian team for their good work in the preparation of this trip and particularly the families who will generously open their homes to our students. We are looking forward to sharing these days with our Austrian friends.

Besides that we will use the time to plan further steps and assemble transnational working groups.

Carlos Guerrero Herrero

Trip to Latvia

View in the plane


Our lunch in Riga

Sigulda

Kathi

dancing traditional folklore

sitting around the fire

The sport teams in action

Barbecue at Baiba's family

Visiting Riga

22^nd of June – a nice Sunday morning at the Vienna Airport: The group consisting of 6 students and two teachers assembled at the entrance - the adventure of travelling to Latvia has started.
At Riga Airport the students and teachers of the Dikli school awaited as – together we headed to lunch – a nice experience in an amazing leisure area.
We visited the national park of the Gauje (with the center of Sigulda) and continued our journey to Dikli. Our students stayed with families - and after an hour every student has found his family.
Midsummer night - an event all of us wanted to enjoy - was georgous. We learned how to braid wreaths of flowers and oak leaves as preparation for the feast at night. Furthermore we got to know typical customs concerning folklore - dances - songs. After lunch we visited Konu mill – where we spent the whole evening. There we were able to watch a woman producing cheese, were envolved in folksy dances and had dinner together. Later, at night we sat around the midsummer night fire while we were enjoying the nice landscape and had much fun together.
Tuesday morning - mixed teames of our two schools run series of competitions in their gym at school. Right after lunch we were invited to visit Baiba's family and spent a funny afternoon there with having barbecue, playing darts or table tennis and other stuff.
The whole Wednesday our program consisted of the visit of Riga and a short trip to the seaside. The capital is a quite beautiful city - especially the renovated center of the town with a lot sight seeing highlights.
At late afternoon we stopped at a stormy beach of the Baltic Sea and had much fun with our experience "wet legs and trousers".
Finally, our trip ended at Thursday morning. However we weren't able to reach Vienna without any problems: Heavy traffic at Vienna Airport caused by hundreds of Russian jets bringing visitors to a game during the European Championship made it more difficult for us to reach Austria at the expected time.

Dikli pupils in cottage „Saulgozi”

On May 13^th Jura Neikena Dikli Elementary school’s Comenius team visited cottage „Saulgozi” in Vidzeme, Valmieras region.

A cotage on a country homestead is situated 30 km from Valmiera. There are rooms for guests on the 1^st floor of the hosts’ house: a Twin and DBL room, a living room with a fireplace, TV and extra beds, a dining room, shower and WC and country sauna where it’s possible to steam and flap oneself with birch-twigs (www.celotajs.lv/saulgozi). Near the farm is small, but nice pond. In the surrounding are places for tents.

We were welcomed by the hostess Vineta Goncare who showed us her cottage and surrounding. She told us about all the possibilities in her cottage and pointed out that they have green sertificat which means environmental protection.
During our visit pupils made some interviews and they found out that the country house „Saulgozi” has:

• Environment friendly behaviour code exposed for guests in the house
• Locally produced products which are offered for guests
• Environmental and health friendly materials which are used in buildings
• The buildings are in harmony with the local landscape
• Natural tableware
• Waste management according to the local regulations
• Cooperation with local producers of food
• Possibility to watch rabbits
• Careful attitude to things.

At the end of our visit host Vineta offered us refreshments-birch sap and rhubarb jelly which were very tasty.
During this visit pupils learned how important it is to remember rules about specially protected natural teritories.

Coordinator of Project, Vija Skuja

Trip to Verona

Peter visited the Don Milano School in Verona to bring some new impacts into the project.

There were three presentations for different school classes about Wiener Neustadt and tourism in general.

Some of the participating students will enter the project the coming school year, others will leave (because they have finished their school career at Don Milano).

This meeting will be the start the phase of overlapping project work – special joint activities concerning topics like nature parks, water problem and others.

Visit from Verona

40 pupils of the Don Milano School from Verona visited the BG Babenbergerring in Wiener Neustadt. The pupils were welcomed by students from the department of informatics (7B) and got a guided tour though school.
Nora and the 3D class performed a special sports activity together with the Italian students. They had a lot of fun together for two hours – it was exciting to watch the students.

Another interesting activity for the Italians was to participate at special lessons – CLIL and English lessons. The Italian pupils were split into 5 groups, for each of them cared two Austrian students (the 6B Specials).
After lunch at McDonalds finally the pupils hat a guided tour through Wiener Neustadt. It was a pity that we had such bad weather – it was raining and cold – not the best conditions for the guests from the south.

There is a picture album at Picasa, where you can find about 100 pictures.