Music to all - mobility in Ravna Gora
4.4.2022. - 8.4.2022.
Students and staff of the Elementary School of Dr. Branimir Markovic hosted the international Erasmus + Project Music to all (Music for all). They hosted students and staff from Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Spain and Turkey. The project, which aims to connect different peoples, cultures and languages, began in 2019, and enters the final phase in 2022. the implementation of the project was marked by a global corona virus pandemic, and more recently a war. The project, which connects with the universal language - the language of music and song, enabled the participants to connect on an emotional and personal level, which was very necessary for everyone.
Project Coordinator at the Elementary School Dr. Branimir Marković, Žaklina Majetić Mufić involved all employees and students of the school in the organization and implementation of the project. In times of general uncertainty and uncertainty, we have shown how much can be achieved through community and teamwork.
The grand opening program began at the school gym. The program began with the solemn intonation of the Croatian national anthem performed by music teacher Vanja Zelčić. Welcoming speeches were given by representatives of local authorities and school principal Nataša Možgon Kauzlarić.
After the grand opening, the participants were introduced and a music (choir) workshop was held, led by Žaklina Majetić Mufić. Participants prepared a joint song for performance at a gala concert at the House of Culture Ravna Gora. In the afternoon, Ivana Padavić held a textile workshop for children based on the Japanese shibori technique. The children brought home souvenirs in the form of fabric pillows they made themselves.
We spent the first day singing, and Tuesday was dedicated to getting to know Croatian traditional dances and visiting Plitvice Lakes. Although the day was spent hiking, the guests were delighted with the natural beauty of Plitvice Lakes, as evidenced by the common picture that was created in front of the Great Waterfall. We returned to Ravna Gora in the late evening full of impressions and new friendships.
Wednesday morning was reserved for visits to Rijeka, representatives of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, and some saw the sea for the first time and there was no end to the enthusiasm. In the Governor's Palace, the project participants were hosted by the Deputy Prefect of Primorje-Gorski Kotar Marina Medarić and the Head of the Board for Education Edita Stilin. In the afternoon, we returned to Ravna Gora, where another workshop on traditional dances was held, led by Gordana Gerić Paulić.
Thursday was the "final" day in which the participants prepared for the gala concert at the House of Culture, which was attended by local choirs conducted by Žaklina Majetić Mufić. The Vitaneo Vocal Group, the Gimpl Mixed Choir, the Brezice Children's Choir and project participants who sang together learned songs and danced the diridic dance performed.
On Friday, we presented the musical heritage of Gorski Kotar to the guests. In cooperation with Davor Grgurić, president of the association "Musical Meetings of Gorski Kotar", a concert of heligonkars was held. Elementary school students Dylan Gašparac and Mark Poje from Croatia, accompanied by Matija Turk, introduced themselves to the project participants.
The afternoon was full of mixed emotions. Happy because of the new friendships and experiences that the project participants exchanged with each other, and sad because it was time for parting and forgiveness.
Students and staff of the Elementary School Dr. Branimir Markovic felt great satisfaction and pride that they hosted an international project and that in difficult times they put a smile back on people's faces and hope for unity. We are looking forward to new projects and mobility.
Martina Majetić