Over Common History and Differences around the Baltic Sea

At the end of summer the island Hiiumaa hosted the student's summer school managed by Commission on Education, Kardla Town Government and Kardla School. "The Meeting Point of Different Cultures" project lasted for 3 months. The students participating in the project studied the history and culture of native places from the period of 1940s to 1960s and prepared a presentation and a photo exhibition on the project topics.

Five schools from Norrtalje, Siauliai, Tukums, Tartu and Kardla joined the project. After some preparatory work at home, each working group chose 2 girls and 2 young men to participate in the summer school. The aim of the project was to get aware about participants' own roots and understand the differences between various cultures. It is a possibility for communication, the development of English speaking skills and motivation for learning foreign languages. It is also important for mutual understanding of European cultures.

In the summer camp, which was held in the Kopu Boarding School on Hiiumaa, 15-18 year old students made presentations, worked together during the workshops, practised English and became acquainted with each other. The young people of Kardla School worked as guides and showed Hiiumaa. A special course on the history of the island was held in the Hiiumaa Museum during preparation of the project.

Jointly within the project the students found out the history around the Baltic Sea during very difficult time - the war and years after that. At the workshops the students discussed in 4 groups: education, music, dance and fashion of the 1940s- 1960s. All ofthem pointed that it is very important to know the history of our nations and countries. The students found out, the iron curtain divided the history around the Baltic Sea in 2 groups.

The young Swedes spoke about progress after the war and how people worked hard for a better future. The Baltic students told and showed very expressively in their presentations hard life and the nonsense of big words in the Soviet Union.

The students found the topics of the project interesting and were happy about the possibility of joining the summer school.