REPORT FROM ERASMUS+ VISIT IN PORTO, PORTUGAL

"Small explorers in a magic world of European folk culture"

Erasmus+ Project 2015 - 2017

PORTO/2015 NOVEMBER

Programme

SUNDAY 22.11.2015

On Sunday we arrived at Hotel Sao Jose (Our stay between 22-28 November in Hotel Sao

Jose, Address: Rua da Alegria 172, 4000 - 034 Porto) and went sightseeing Porto. The host

families picked up our students at the airport and they went to their homes for the

whole day.

MONDAY 23.11.2015

At 9.30 a.m., we gathered at school Escola Basica de Custoias and watched

presentation about Portuguese folk culture.

We were also listening to traditional music played by Portuguese students. They

showed us many different, typical instruments, folk costumes and told one interesting

legend about the stone soup.

Meantime we saw the school library and Erasmus+ corner (logo works, map of all

participated countries, book exhibition, computers for Erasmus students).

Almost every day we had lunch at the school canteen. We were eating with

Portuguese students during their break. It was the great opportunity to observe their

behaviour, habitats and tasted typical food (fish, chicken, rice, pasta, vegetable soup,

boiled fruit).

Then we went to the main school Escola Básica Irmãos Passos.

We were shown classrooms, folk exhibition along the halls. We visited its school

library and there we also watched a PowerPoint presentation about European Club

activities. Students played some games about Europe in the official website of the

European Union.

At about 3.00 p.m. we had the Project Meeting (overview the programme for the

week, project establishment, tasks for all participants, dates of the next visits).

During our working session, our students were able to climb the wall and joined other

sport activities.

Tasks:

Poland - preparing Project Web Site

Spain - recording the film from opening the foreign letters

Turkey - preparing Project Drop Box

Portugal - preparing the presentation about visit in Portugal (PowerPoint)

Croatia - preparing the common Folklore Magazine

Italy - preparing Folk Places Folder

Lithuania - preparing Project Mascot

During our meeting it was decided that school partners’ coordinators should take part

in every foreign visit provided that they speak English well enough to represent their

schools.

According to the Partners request we have a new schedule.

Dates:

Portugal 22.11-28.11.2015

Turkey 13.03-17.03.2016

Spain 22.05-28.05.2016

Lithuania 02.10-08.10.2016

Croatia 04.12-10.12.2016

Italy 12.03-18.03.2017

Poland 21.05-27.05.2017

Here are the reasons of date changes:

1. Different dates of school breaks

2. Holidays

3. School work organization

4. Weather condition

All partners discussed the cooperation rules modules, evaluation, reports, budget,

website, doing activities according to the project schedule.

TUESDAY 24.11.2015

We visited Porto Wine cellars. We were told about the regional job on Douro river

valley in the north (Douro region): the grapes harvest and the wine making, its

transportation, as well as the different producing techniques throughout the years so

far.

We also crossed on foot an old bridge called “Ponte D Luís” and visited the other

bank of the river Douro. There we could watch old and typical/historical houses.

After lunch we took part in traditional Portuguese folk games (dancing, singing, the

Science Day).

Next we had working session. Every school brought its own project logo (chosen

during their local competition). Then we voted secretly and chose the best one.

It was Italian project logo which reflected the project topic in the best way.

Afterwards we learnt more about Portuguese Education System.

There was also a Turkish Teacher’s Day.

WEDNESDAY 25.11.2015

There was a trip to Vila Nova de Gaia and a visit to a Traditional Bakery -

The farmhouse bread of Avintes (“Broa de Avintes”).

We were watching the bread baking and tasted it just after preparation.

On our way back to school we had the opportunity to sightseeing the bridges which

connect Oporto to Vila Nova de Gaia. We could also watch the mouth of the Douro

River and the Atlantic Ocean as well as Oporto beaches.

Then we visited Escola da Lavra to watch its folk museum (old tools, household

equipment, classrooms, home decorations). In this museum we could also watch how

the classes were taught before the Portuguese revolution of 1974.

At about 3.00 p.m. we were walking along another beach of the Atlantic Ocean.

There we could see a monument. A commemorative obelisk on the spot where liberal

troops led by Pedro 4th (1st Emperor of Brazil) disembarked in 1832 in order to expel

his absolutist brother, Miguel from the Portuguese throne.

THURSDAY 26.11.2015

We were leaving to Viana do Castelo to see the Hospital Ship Gil Eannes.

We could watch the work of Portuguese fishermen and ship which supported them

during illness.

Then we visited the Costume Museum with many different, folk, regional costumes

and gold jewellery, and salt carpets.

In the afternoon we went to Vila do Conde where we could see the Royal Customs -

Nau Quinhentista. This is a replica built by shipyards Samuel & Filhos, Lda, Vila do

Conde. It is near the museum center Royal Customs - Shipbuilding Museum. It was

an old cargo ship, which transported different things (cinnamon, flour, grain) in the

fifteenth century.

In the evening we were invited at farewell dinner with host families.

We gathered at school. The traditional food was prepared (mixed vegetable soup,

Salted Codfish with Cream (bacalhau), salad, typical cookies and enormous birthday

cake with Erasmus+ written in the middle). We were also watching the traditional

Portuguese folk dance and listening to its folk music (the band - Rancho Folclórico

Paroquial de Guifões) in multicultural atmosphere.

Everybody was singing the typical Portuguese song Malhao and some joined the

dances.

FRIDAY 27.11.2015

In this day we had the last opportunity to learn more about the Portuguese folk

culture so we went to Braga.

In the morning we went to a place called Soutelo where we visited a certification

organism of products, services and management services. There we could know

different traditional handcraft certified products. We also had the opportunity to talk

to craftswomen and some of us have tried to work with them.

We had lunch at a High School in Braga. In the afternoon, a group of students from

the University prepared a peddy-paper for us. They are studying Tourism. We had to

follow the directions on the paper they gave us and doing so we could sightseeing and

learn about monuments and historical places there. We were divided in groups

representing the visiting countries. The host students were also with their guests. The

winner was the group which spent less time to arrive at the last given point – The

University. And the winner was Croatia.

SATURDAY 28.11.2015

In the morning all the partners, students and teachers from Erasmus+ Project left

Portugal with beautiful memories.

It was a very interesting week, rich in programme and experiences, a week in which

everyone spoke a foreign language and met some new friends.