2 - 10 October 2005, Zakopane, POLAND

It is one more successful story of an exchange project, where a main role was played by the “Open Youth” volunteers. Although it was not our first international youth exchange in Poland, it was the first one in Zakopane – a place carefully chosen by our hosts, famous as the Polish winter capital. The main theme was the singing as an art and as an opportunity for better integration of young people, carrying different cultures. The maxima, that the song will unite and will make you happy, was proven thoroughly. Youth from Poland, Bulgaria, Italy and Romania showed the richness not only of their proper folklore, but successfully studied and performed songs, typical for the other nations. This project can wholeheartedly be defined as full of emotion and there is no other way when 40 young people were gathered with the only aim to show their skills in dancing and singing. The national evenings were filled with originality. It is more than natural to honour the Bulgarian one, whose colour exceeded all expectations and provoked admiration.

For a first time our team was so picturesque. There were representatives from so different regions of Bulgaria – Vidin, Chelopech, Panagjurishte, Koprivshtitsa, Pirdop and Samokov. This fact contributed to the variety of traditional dishes, songs and characters, which we presented.

It is very important to underline the efforts of the Polish organizers to provide the necessary conditions and facilities for the participants in the exchange. The hotel logistics (food, beds, etc.) were of a high level and fully satisfied and the most pretentious. The programme was carried out as planned. Especially good impression made the hard work of two highly qualified singing instructors (Magda and Ola). They managed to engage the attention of the young people and to bring to front all their singing qualities and skills. The result was not late – the concert, carried out in the center of Zakopane brought many joyful emotions for the performers and the public. Other pleasant moments, accompanying the exchange work, were not missing either:
  

• a visit to the Vavel castle and the remaining part of ancient Krakow;
• a tour in the Tatra mountain and a visit to the “Big eye” lake;
• a guided tour in the commercial and the tourist part of Zakopane.

Here is the place to say a big “THANK YOU” to our hosts as well as to all the others, who took part in the consecutive successful, fruitful and pleasant youth exchange project of “Open Youth”.