This was our first event to be co-hosted by two schools – Bulgarsko Shkolo and 191 OU Otets Paisii – and after months of hard-work and preparation, we finally welcomed a mix of around 130 elementary pupils and teachers and adolescent interns from 10 countries to the long-awaited opening.
The first day was focused on making connections and sharing cultures, as all participants got to know each other through the sharing of cultural games and dances, using fun activities and movement together to break down initial barriers. This was followed by the Cultural Marketplace – always a popular part of every event – where they each shared gifts and snacks from their own homes, offering a small taste of their own countries and cultures.
The next 3 days were filled with fun and engaging activities designed to foster teamwork, communication and to enhance the connection between each other and with nature. These including maintain hiking, team challenges and working to shared goals that not only included physical activity, but also focused on SDG 14: Life on Land.
Participants got the opportunity to give back to nature and to make an impact on the local community and ecology, by planting trees and building bird houses to better protect the environment and the species that depend on it. They were then challenged to take this knowledge home with them and to make a lasting impact there too.
The final day saw a walking tour of Sofia, where everyone got the chance to immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of this beautiful city. This was followed by the closing ceremony, which was again full of games and dance, but as a celebration of friendships and life-long memories made together. As always, this was filled with tears and promises to stay connected, and a beautiful reminder to us of the impact these events can have.
The feedback that we have already received has been overwhelmingly positive, with many stories of friendship, personal growth and future plans already being shared by pupils, teachers and parents alike. So much so that we have already been inundated with new requests to participate and to host, so watch out for updates in the coming days.
We would like to thank everyone involved in making this event such a memorable experience and look forward to more, deeper, connections in the future, as our global network continues to grow and our mission is shared with more people and organizations around the world.
PEACE
Global Association of Montessori Education and Sport