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| Almost all of us and our participants with self-made artworks |
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| People showing how much they can eat! |
Unfortunately, we were not able to hold ‘’the big’’ international
competition this year, but we still wanted to organise something that could
promote the territory and be as a ‘’test’’ for next years. So, we invited
international EVS volunteers working in Sicily to have a week of photographic,
artistic, musical and archaeological activities, together with exploration of
local sightseeing objects, food (lots of it), and industries. Thanks to the EVS
hosting organisations (ArciStrauss of Mussomeli, Coop. Soc. Progetto Uomo from
Misilmeri, Ares Onlus from Trapani), we had 8 participants from Turkey, Spain,
Germany and France. Together with the local youth from Campobello and us
(Armenian, Hungarian and Latvian), it was a real international fun!
But still, to be able to have all this fun, we had to plan all the
activities, discuss and “fight” with colleagues, and prepare the places for
camp activities. The best part of it was making our ‘’base’’ habitable – a
school which has not been used for years. That means bringing beds, all kitchen
stuff, building showers etc. etc……, including cleaning a great amount of pigeon
shit. As it was done by three girls (Eszter, Anna and Zane, Kristap’s
girlfriend) in bikinis with ‘’Wasserschlange’’, it was not bad indeed. :)
In the end, Monday, August 27, Anno Domini 2012 came and the week could
start. What HAPPENED during the week?
Here is a very short description:
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| Tasting some local cheese |
A LOT of food: degustation of different wines, tasting of cheese, local
sweets and dishes ‘mpanata’’ and ‘mpurnatu’, tasting of local almond varieties,
and in the end, the international evening with Turkish, Spanish, German and
French food.
Then the excursions: guided tours to Campobello (including the amazing
Park of Divine Comedy) and Ravanusa (including the Museum with its
special surpriseJ), seeing the almost extinct Girgentana goats, visit to the factory of
f.lli Lo Porto, a visit and to vinery and almond field, of course with
degustation.
We had foreseen also an activity of pottery: we visited the working place
of signore Lo Porto to check our abilities in giving shape to clay and painting
– some of the participants had a real artistic talent!
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| Working on pottery |
Two evenings were dedicated to music – basically, those were evenings of
improvisation with local musicians – everybody was welcome to join in. One of
the participants – Onur from Turkey showed a great pantomime, accompanied by a
local musician which he had never seen before! Everybody who came, could watch
and vote for the best musician, meet people from all over Europe, have some
wine and enjoy a chill-out evening.
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| A local guy -Salvatore showing off his skillz |
Of course, we would not let the volunteers only eat, drink and take
photos of some nice places of Sicily. We had 2 afternoons in our archaeological
park ‘’Iachinu Filì’, where, after a guided excursion, our participants in a
real volunteering spirit helped in the recovery of the park.
The activities were not closed and reserved only for the international
volunteers. To add more of local ‘’touch’’, also the local youth of Campobello
was invited to participate. They took photos during all the camp, to submit
them after the HAPPENING to a little
photography contest.
And so, Sunday, September 2, Anno Domini 2012 came, and we had to say
goodbye to everybody. A sad moment, but at the same time a relief – finally we
could have some sleep and rest a bit! Anyway, it’s a great feeling to have a huge
amount of work done, but still, we are going to be here for one more month. So,
avanti! – let’s volunteer and have
fun!
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| A picture of Eszter and Anna chilling in countryside |
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| The amazing archaeologic finds in Ravanusa |
