After the global pandemic, which caused the world to "pause" for a few months, the art delegation patiently waited for the relaxation of restrictions and for the Italian side to select a date for the final mobility, which would close the ERASMUS AR.AC.N.E art project. This project involved students and teachers from the Czech Republic (ZUŠ Vysoké Mýto), Romania, Turkey, Estonia, and Italy.
In October, our 13-member delegation was able to travel. However, compared to previous mobilities, there were major changes – masks became a part of our lives, vaccinations, confirmations, questionnaires, and forms for traveling to/from countries, students staying in hotels (not with host families), disinfecting, temperature checks... all for our health and the health of others. Even this did not discourage us. Nothing stopped us, and so, on Saturday, October 2, the entire Czech delegation set off to represent our country in Italian Parabita.
Our first stop and night was spent in the port city of Bari, located on the Adriatic coast of southern Italy. A lively city, full of Italian temperament, so different from our mentality. We spent the evening wandering through the endless narrow streets of the historic part of the city. On Sunday, we took a very pleasant minibus ride to Gallipoli, where we would be staying and spending our free time. Gallipoli, a city with a rich history, is home to aristocratic palaces and Baroque churches. The winding streets lead toward promenades, where there is a beautiful view of the sea – and yes, there was swimming too. In the city center, there are countless cafes, bars, and restaurants offering local specialties, which we had the opportunity to taste during sumptuous multi-course dinners.
The main program of the entire mobility took place in the nearby town of Parabita, where a part of the local Secondary Art School was at our disposal. The opening ceremony in the school hall was followed by speeches from the school director and local city representatives, along with a musical program by the Secondary Music School. Here, all the delegations from Romania, Estonia, the Czech Republic, and Italy met. The Turkish delegation could not attend due to pandemic measures, but they joined us virtually via video conference.
The organizer, patron, and heart and soul of the project was the incredibly modest, capable, and unassuming Dora Romano. Together with her team of teachers and colleagues, she created a creative program for the entire mobility, aiming to involve students in the artistic process and introducing us to the culture of the Salento area and its beautiful historic towns: Lecce, Otranto, and Gallipoli. Our taste buds were also delighted by visits to local special restaurants, bistros, and a buffet in the school courtyard.
The whole mobility was interconnected through the artistic work of students and teachers, who worked together in colorful teams to create hot air balloons. The national colors of our flags became part of the design of the enormous balloon. During the Thursday closing ceremony, the balloons were released into the air, one by one, to the sound of our national anthems. Our red, white, and blue balloon, with a lion, a crown, folk motifs, linden flowers, and our monumental anthem… it was moving. And then came the goodbyes... even more emotional. All the students and teachers became one large family.
