1. In the occasion of our meeting in
Perpignan, France, we shared
experiences and memories that are
invaluable.
The Greek team participated in
theatre, singing, dancing and art
workshops. As we were divided in four
multinational groups, rotating in each
workshop, we had the chance to
interact with the rest of the students
of the other participating countries,
having to use English as working
language, which was a tremendous
experience by itself.
We also had to make the best of each
member’s abilities and personality by
assigning to them the right task.
The end product was just awesome,
though nothing could have been done
without the guidance and inspiration
of the host teachers who gave time
and effort to the task.
This also brings to mind the dance
routine that each national group had
to prepare on the song “This Is Me” taken from the musical “The
Greatest Showman”, which best describes the whole essence of the
subject of the project, namely inclusion and everybody’s right to self-
expression and being oneself. The performances of all the national
MEETING IN PERPIGNAN – FRANCE
2. groups were at the same time
moving and impressive, taken into
consideration that the performers
were schoolchildren with limited
time to prepare and not
professional actor-dancers.
Lycée Pablo Picasso was especially
welcoming and the teachers, pupils
and rest of the staff were more than
accommodating to both taking us in
their premises and offering all the
necessary facilities for our project
and showing us around and giving
us a taste of the French hospitality.
There was also a rich program of activities outside the school. More
notably the daily excursions to the
nearby villages of Argelès-sur-Mer,
Collioure and Banyuls-sur-Mer full of
history and art, not to mention the
breathtaking views and the chance to get
together as a group of students
remember the good times we had in
previous meetings and form new bonds
and friendships.
The walking tour of Perpignan also
offered the chance to admire the beauty
of our host city, wander the picturesque
streets of the old town, with the wonderful buildings and shops.
Last but not least, a special mention to the theatre dance performance
“Moving” followed by the opportunity, at the end of the show, to ask
questions to the performers about the essence of what we had just
watched, and a next day tour of the backstage secrets of the impressive
Théâtre de l'Archipel.
3. All in all, it was an
unforgettable experience, full
of excitement and
opportunities for everyone to
unravel their special talents.
Faithful to the essence of the
project “Include Me”, every
student proved that we are
equal but not identical. That
each person’s abilities and
uniqueness can, instead of
setting them apart, be an
invaluable tool for
incorporating them to a
dynamic, evolving group of
equal peers.
We are all looking forward to our next meeting in Poland.
