FRJB25 CAE HERITAGE Some traditions

First there was a discussion with the students to remind them what traditions are (practices, beliefs and values that are passed down from generation to generation within a community) and the multitude of expressions they encompass, from family customs to national festivities. Next, the students were divided into groups according to their country. Each student from each country wrote the name(s) and description(s) of festivities in their country on the front of a post-it note, then wrote the name of their country on the back of the post-it note. 

Finally, the students were divided into 8 groups from different countries. 2 of them were appointed to referee the game, which consisted of guessing and writing on a slate as quickly as possible the country of origin of a festival from its description : one read the descriptions of the festivals, the second observed carefully which group was the first to raise its slate with the country where the festival described took place and counted the points. Examples of festivals written down by the students :

*Slovakia  : All Saints Day, Nameday, Fasiangy, Easter Monday, Stedry den, Sint Nicolas, Ash Wednesday

*Ireland : Saint Patrick’s Day, Rory Gallagher Festival, St Bridget’s Day, Halloween, Gaelic football, hurling

*France : National day, Labour day, Lemon Festival, Epiphany, Shrove Tuesday, Chandeleur, Music Festival, April Fool's day

The students enjoyed this activity, firstly because it was the first day of their mobility, so they were able to start getting to know each other through this game in which they had to work together and which pitted the groups against each other. They were then curious to discover the festivals of the partner schools' countries, and became aware of the diversity of practices in 4 European countries, which enriches their understanding of the world and encourages intercultural dialogue. By learning about other traditions, we not only broaden our vision of the world, but also strengthen our own cultural identity, making it more dynamic.