My Impressions after Intercultural Dialogue Day

An unusual holiday was held at our lyceum on September the 26th. It is Intercultural Dialogue Day. Thanks to AFS volunteers it has become popular all over Europe, and in our lyceum it has turned into another good tradition.
This year it was devoted to France and French culture as 2014 was declared the Year of France in Russia. At the festival we were required to prepare a one-page guide, which would show certain moments of French life. Our team presented autumn and winter holidays in France. Working on this project we had a chance to realize that holidays in France are really unique. They combine peculiar provincial cultures that go back to the Antiquity and Medieval Times. For example, we learnt about Chestnut Holiday and a big carnival in Nice.
A great surprise for us was the invitation of AFS students from our lyceum to this holiday. They spoke about their life abroad, in such countries as Austria, Germany and others. I find their experience an excellent opportunity to learn another country’s culture, language, way of life. I wish I participated in this programme too!
Our AFS student from France, Louna Mouret, had prepared a presentation too and showed us the photos of her village, her cottage and her family. We enjoyed her speech greatly. A kind of symbol of the whole festival were colourful balloons in the grey autumn sky. As I understand, they symbolize friendship and mutual understanding among peoples and cultures.
I want to say «thank you” to our English teachers and all the organizers of this holiday. For me it was an unforgettable experience, a chance to enlarge my horizons and have practice in English.

With respect,
Mark Tatarinov, 9 G