Cultural exchange with Slovenia- ‘Project enables the two school communities to appreciate the richness of diverse cultures’

Dr Jimmy Devins TD, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, today (Thursday 26^th June 2008) welcomed the celebration of the joint Primary Schools Cultural Project between Gaelscoil na Cruaiche, Westport, Co. Mayo, and Osnovna sola Ivanjkovci, Ormoz, Slovenia. The project was undertaken to raise awareness among the pupils and teachers in both schools of their respective unique cultures in the wider European context. Gaelscoil na Cruaiche is one of the most westerly schools in Europe and Osnovna sola Ivanjkovci is one of the most easterly as Ormoz is in Eastern Slovenia, close to the border with Hungary.

Despite being at opposite ends of Europe, the many similarities between Ireland and Slovenia were highlighted and the active participation of each country in European affairs was acknowledged. Among the many distinguished guests was His Excellency Franc Miksa, Ambassador of Slovenia. The celebrations were also attended by a group of Slovenian teachers who are visiting Westport as part of the Cultural Project.

An entire wall at Gaelscoil na Cruaiche has been filled with posters of Slovenian landscapes and artworks from the students there, and in the school in Ormoz there is a corresponding area with information and images of Irish history and traditions. Each school includes all its students in the education module and each has made DVDs, which exhibits its culture through drama, song and dance. This was then sent to the other school and watched by the students there.

Minister Devins congratulated the schools for the great enthusiasm and energy they brought to the project. Speaking at the function in the Castle court hotel in Westport Minister Devins said, “this joint project between Ireland and Slovenia is a wonderful example of how we can put policy and aspirations into practice”. Acknowledging that the project provided the impetus for teachers and pupils to reflect upon their own understanding of cultural diversity, the Minister stated that the collaboration between the two schools is equipping the children “to challenge and to try to change any prejudice and bias they might encounter. Education widens range of choices.

The project enables the two school communities to appreciate the richness of diverse cultures and the schools are to be congratulated for the practical way they have set about educating themselves about the respective cultures of the two countries”.

The Minister concluded, “Through this project, all involved can grow in understanding and awareness, and as a result we can all become better Europeans, better citizens and ultimately better human beings”.

ENDS/IP52