Report of the fourth visit of the Comenius Project
‘Europe in a Museum’ held in Lithuania
from 5th to 10th October 2014
Monday, 6th, October 2014
In the morning all the partners met in the hotel lobby at 9 o’clock. We were awaited by one
of the teachers from Gargżdai School and taken to it by bus.
There, we were welcomed by Stefanija, the headteacher and the other teachers. We went to
Stefanija’s classroom to undress and then, we all moved to the assembly room, to take part
in welcoming ceremony, prepared by Stefanija and her students.
After a very short artistic programme teachers from Italy, Turkey, Poland, Bulgaria and
Lithuania, introduced their schools and countries to others. Unfortunately, because of the
technical problems, a Greek teacher uploaded its presentation on the ‘Europe in a Museum’
blog spot. Later we exchanged project items for schools and exhibits for school museums.
Next we come back to Stefanija’s classroom, to listen to Olympia addressing her remarks
about the project, to partners. She mentioned, that not all the partners understood the
activities properly, that sometimes they were not sent on time and in some cases, the
evaluation for the first year, was not done. That part should definitely be improved in the
After a short discussion we were guided by Stefanija and Violeta, around the school building
of Minija Progimasium, and invited to a school canteen for a tasty lunch at the school ‘s
At 12.30 p.m. we went for a guided tour along the streets of Gargżdai, we exchanged
money, and slowly walking through the park,we reached the GARGŻDAI MUSEUM which was
reflecting history and culture of Gargzdai town and Klaipeda district. We saw various
publications, books, calendars, posters, maps, photographs , as well as, crafts typical for that
region, like hand –bags, table cloths, made of linen and greeting cards embroidered on
About 4 p.m. we returned to the hotel in Klaipeda and had free time.
Tuesday , 6th, October
In the morning of the second day we all met in the hotel lobby, we followed our guide to
visit three local museums.
The first museum on our route was LITHUANIA MINOR MUSEUM. The expositions contained
archeological finds, scale models of towns, coins, as well as, the ethnographic exhibits
reflecting household and tradition of native inhabitants.
Then we went to CASTLE MUSEUM in Klaipeda, which was opened in 2002 to commemorate
750 jubilee of the town. There, we could admire mannequins with traditional medieval and
renaissance clothes, work tools, armory and weaponry and archeological items which
demonstrated the life of the castle.
Next we visited BLACKSMITH MUSEUM. Most exhibits presented there, were crosses,
fences, gates from cemeteries of Lithuania. The museum also exposed the remains of
authentic tools, households articles, pagan memorials out of metal and horse sabots.
After that, children from Bulgaria and Lithuania were exploring the old town and playing
games with Stefanija. The adults had a chance to taste the best beer of the Svyturys
brewery, served with beetroot chips, slices of carrots, olives, kindziuk sausages and dziuga
An hour later we all met for lunch in a restaurant and later, some of us went by public
transport to ‘Akropolis ‘ shopping and leisure centre, some stayed in Klaipeda to have a walk
along its streets, parks and the Old Town. That is how the second day in Klaipeda passed.
Wednesday , 8th,October 2014
In the morning of the third day, we boarded the bus for the all day trip to Telsiai. First, we
visited SAMOGITIAN OPEN AIR MUSEUM, which revealed the daily life and environment of
peasants, from the end of the 19th and early 20th century. The guide gave us information
about the life in a typical Samogitian village. We saw farmers and peasants’ homesteads, a
windmill and a cemetery. The museum was supplemented by animals like: geese, hens, Billy
the goat and horses of Żemaitukai breed. Students had opportunity to ’ weave’ on the loom
and play traditional games.
Later we visited ALKA MUSEUM,the museum of Natural History and Art and History. We
were told many interesting facts about the region and the way of life of Telsiai, and learned
about its history. We could see valuable paintings, sculptures, ethnographic collections,
educational works ,folk and art works. Students were especially impressed by many stuffed
animals of the region.
The next thing we did , was a guided tour in the streets of Telsiai. We walked along the
streets of Old Town, saw a sculpture of a bear-symbol of Samogitia and Telsiai and their
strength .We could also find sculptures placed in the city walls, dedicated to the history of
the city. At the end of our walk , we visited the Telsiai Cathedral, which original side alters
make it different from other churches.
After a long walk, we went to a restaurant for lunch, where we tasted some local dishes like:
herring soup, potatoes with garlic butter and dumplings with cream. Then we were drinking
coffee in a cafe, which part, was the exposition and ‘selling point ‘ of Dżiuga cheese. We
bought it as souvenirs.
The next point of our interest that day,was a Priest Seminary, which was located in the old
buildings of Bernardine’s monks. One of the nine students, who learn to be priests in future,
greeted us in the courtyard and told us its history. Then we had a chance to visit the
seminary’s rooms and see its huge library. After that, about 4 p.m. we boarded the bus ,
returned to the hotel and had free afternoon.
Thursday, 9th, October
That day, after breakfast, we boarded the bus and together with Stefanija’s students, went
for all day trip to Neringa. We went there by ferry. The voyage lasted less than 10 minutes.
We were guided first to the Hill of Witches, where there were many sculptures of witches ,
demons and heroes , made of wood. With a great interest we listened to the guide telling us
fairy tales about them.
Then we saw Dead Dunes Natural Reserve and Parnidis Dune, which are the Unesco Word
Heritage of Lithuania We were on the observation platform on the Hill of Avinas, offering a
beautiful view of Lagoon and the Baltic Sea.
Later, we had a short walk around the town of Nida, and after the lunch,we boarded our bus
again and returned to the hotel, having enough time to prepare ourselves for the farewell
party in the evening.
At 7.30 p m. another bus took us to the restaurant in Agluonenai for dinner which was
sponsored by the Lithuanian school. After warm welcome by Stefanija and other teachers we
tasted delicious Lithuanian food and drinks, watched Lithuanian folk dances performed by
local folk group. Finally we joined them, dancing together. We were given presents and
really had a good time. Late at night we came back to the hotel, having said good bye to our
Bulgarian friends.
Friday,10th,October
For the last day, Stefanija has organized a bus trip to Palanga. We departed from the hotel in
the morning. There, we had a guided walking tour around the Palanga Garden, which once
was in the possession of the Polish count Tyszkiewicz. His mansion house is now, a
settlement of AMBER MUSEUM. The exhibitions presented there contain about 4500 items
of amber. We could see the amber with inclusions of flora and fauna that existed on Earth
millions of years ago. We could also admire, the amber jewelry made by contemporary
Then we had a nice walk along the Baltic seashore, and some time for shopping and buying
souvenirs for schools and friends.
After lunch in ‘HBH’ brewery house, we started our journey back to the hotel in Klaipeda. We
still had the whole evening to chat, laugh and talk about the project together.
The fourth meeting of Comenius Project in Lithuania came to its end. We are waiting for the
next in Ordu, Turkey.
‘Europe in a Museum’ held in Lithuania
from 5th to 10th October 2014
Monday, 6th, October 2014
In the morning all the partners met in the hotel lobby at 9 o’clock. We were awaited by one
of the teachers from Gargżdai School and taken to it by bus.
There, we were welcomed by Stefanija, the headteacher and the other teachers. We went to
Stefanija’s classroom to undress and then, we all moved to the assembly room, to take part
in welcoming ceremony, prepared by Stefanija and her students.
After a very short artistic programme teachers from Italy, Turkey, Poland, Bulgaria and
Lithuania, introduced their schools and countries to others. Unfortunately, because of the
technical problems, a Greek teacher uploaded its presentation on the ‘Europe in a Museum’
blog spot. Later we exchanged project items for schools and exhibits for school museums.
Next we come back to Stefanija’s classroom, to listen to Olympia addressing her remarks
about the project, to partners. She mentioned, that not all the partners understood the
activities properly, that sometimes they were not sent on time and in some cases, the
evaluation for the first year, was not done. That part should definitely be improved in the
After a short discussion we were guided by Stefanija and Violeta, around the school building
of Minija Progimasium, and invited to a school canteen for a tasty lunch at the school ‘s
At 12.30 p.m. we went for a guided tour along the streets of Gargżdai, we exchanged
money, and slowly walking through the park,we reached the GARGŻDAI MUSEUM which was
reflecting history and culture of Gargzdai town and Klaipeda district. We saw various
publications, books, calendars, posters, maps, photographs , as well as, crafts typical for that
region, like hand –bags, table cloths, made of linen and greeting cards embroidered on
About 4 p.m. we returned to the hotel in Klaipeda and had free time.
Tuesday , 6th, October
In the morning of the second day we all met in the hotel lobby, we followed our guide to
visit three local museums.
The first museum on our route was LITHUANIA MINOR MUSEUM. The expositions contained
archeological finds, scale models of towns, coins, as well as, the ethnographic exhibits
reflecting household and tradition of native inhabitants.
Then we went to CASTLE MUSEUM in Klaipeda, which was opened in 2002 to commemorate
750 jubilee of the town. There, we could admire mannequins with traditional medieval and
renaissance clothes, work tools, armory and weaponry and archeological items which
demonstrated the life of the castle.
Next we visited BLACKSMITH MUSEUM. Most exhibits presented there, were crosses,
fences, gates from cemeteries of Lithuania. The museum also exposed the remains of
authentic tools, households articles, pagan memorials out of metal and horse sabots.
After that, children from Bulgaria and Lithuania were exploring the old town and playing
games with Stefanija. The adults had a chance to taste the best beer of the Svyturys
brewery, served with beetroot chips, slices of carrots, olives, kindziuk sausages and dziuga
An hour later we all met for lunch in a restaurant and later, some of us went by public
transport to ‘Akropolis ‘ shopping and leisure centre, some stayed in Klaipeda to have a walk
along its streets, parks and the Old Town. That is how the second day in Klaipeda passed.
Wednesday , 8th,October 2014
In the morning of the third day, we boarded the bus for the all day trip to Telsiai. First, we
visited SAMOGITIAN OPEN AIR MUSEUM, which revealed the daily life and environment of
peasants, from the end of the 19th and early 20th century. The guide gave us information
about the life in a typical Samogitian village. We saw farmers and peasants’ homesteads, a
windmill and a cemetery. The museum was supplemented by animals like: geese, hens, Billy
the goat and horses of Żemaitukai breed. Students had opportunity to ’ weave’ on the loom
and play traditional games.
Later we visited ALKA MUSEUM,the museum of Natural History and Art and History. We
were told many interesting facts about the region and the way of life of Telsiai, and learned
about its history. We could see valuable paintings, sculptures, ethnographic collections,
educational works ,folk and art works. Students were especially impressed by many stuffed
animals of the region.
The next thing we did , was a guided tour in the streets of Telsiai. We walked along the
streets of Old Town, saw a sculpture of a bear-symbol of Samogitia and Telsiai and their
strength .We could also find sculptures placed in the city walls, dedicated to the history of
the city. At the end of our walk , we visited the Telsiai Cathedral, which original side alters
make it different from other churches.
After a long walk, we went to a restaurant for lunch, where we tasted some local dishes like:
herring soup, potatoes with garlic butter and dumplings with cream. Then we were drinking
coffee in a cafe, which part, was the exposition and ‘selling point ‘ of Dżiuga cheese. We
bought it as souvenirs.
The next point of our interest that day,was a Priest Seminary, which was located in the old
buildings of Bernardine’s monks. One of the nine students, who learn to be priests in future,
greeted us in the courtyard and told us its history. Then we had a chance to visit the
seminary’s rooms and see its huge library. After that, about 4 p.m. we boarded the bus ,
returned to the hotel and had free afternoon.
Thursday, 9th, October
That day, after breakfast, we boarded the bus and together with Stefanija’s students, went
for all day trip to Neringa. We went there by ferry. The voyage lasted less than 10 minutes.
We were guided first to the Hill of Witches, where there were many sculptures of witches ,
demons and heroes , made of wood. With a great interest we listened to the guide telling us
fairy tales about them.
Then we saw Dead Dunes Natural Reserve and Parnidis Dune, which are the Unesco Word
Heritage of Lithuania We were on the observation platform on the Hill of Avinas, offering a
beautiful view of Lagoon and the Baltic Sea.
Later, we had a short walk around the town of Nida, and after the lunch,we boarded our bus
again and returned to the hotel, having enough time to prepare ourselves for the farewell
party in the evening.
At 7.30 p m. another bus took us to the restaurant in Agluonenai for dinner which was
sponsored by the Lithuanian school. After warm welcome by Stefanija and other teachers we
tasted delicious Lithuanian food and drinks, watched Lithuanian folk dances performed by
local folk group. Finally we joined them, dancing together. We were given presents and
really had a good time. Late at night we came back to the hotel, having said good bye to our
Bulgarian friends.
Friday,10th,October
For the last day, Stefanija has organized a bus trip to Palanga. We departed from the hotel in
the morning. There, we had a guided walking tour around the Palanga Garden, which once
was in the possession of the Polish count Tyszkiewicz. His mansion house is now, a
settlement of AMBER MUSEUM. The exhibitions presented there contain about 4500 items
of amber. We could see the amber with inclusions of flora and fauna that existed on Earth
millions of years ago. We could also admire, the amber jewelry made by contemporary
Then we had a nice walk along the Baltic seashore, and some time for shopping and buying
souvenirs for schools and friends.
After lunch in ‘HBH’ brewery house, we started our journey back to the hotel in Klaipeda. We
still had the whole evening to chat, laugh and talk about the project together.
The fourth meeting of Comenius Project in Lithuania came to its end. We are waiting for the
next in Ordu, Turkey.
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