Treasure Hunt Contest, Clues n°4

Here are the last clues... 

Do not forget your map of Europe!

Bulgaria

THE MYSTERY TOWN

You start from Sofia and travel to the north-east of Bulgaria. On your way you pass through the town of Veliko Turnovo. It is the second Bulgarian capital. The books written in the Turnovo literary school put the foundations of the contemporary Slavic literary language. The Old-Bulgarian book is hand-written and extremely precious with its miniatures (with multi-coloured compositions), the Tetraevangelia of Ivan Alexander known as the Gospel of London which still decorates the British National Museum as well as the chronicle of  Manasii –kept in the Vatican.

Then you should pass through the town of Shoumen. The mystery town is located at about 20 km., south-east of the town of Shoumen.

The mystery town became the first Bulgarian capital during the reign of King Simeon. The first literary school was established at this place. The importance of its activity marked the beginning of the Golden Age in the cultural history of Bulgaria. Some of the most famous writers and teachers that worked there are Naum Preslavski, Chernorizets Hrabar and Joan Ekzarh. 

Belgium 

The popular detective series “Aspe” was filmed in this city. In the series, the charming police inspector Pieter Van In solves crimes and murders.

The successful series was based on the books of Pieter Aspe, who was born on 3rd April 1953 in this particular city.

Czech Republic

He had two wives. The first, Olga Šplíchalová died in 1996 and the second, Dagmar Veškrnová is czech actress.

When he was politician, he lived in castle in city, which is called “Town of hundred towers”.

Poland
The masterpiece which the poet is best renowned for is Treny (Laments). He wrote a series of elegies upon the death of his beloved little daughter.

Norway

This author received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1920.   

68° 5′ 2″ N, 15° 38′ 18″ E.

Good luck!

Treasure Hunt Contest, Clues n°3

Here are new clues to help you dicover 
the mystery places...

Bulgaria

This town was one of the former capitals of the first Bulgarian state on the Balkan Peninsula.

Belgium

The writer of this book, called ‘Het dolfijnenkind’ (‘The child of the dolphin’) was born in the mystery city.

When Marijn and her class visit a dolphinarium one day, something very strange happens. Without thinking about it, he dives in to the water and swims with the dolphins, as if he had always done that. When his mother finds out what happened, she tells Marijn a few things from the past, though it is very painful for her. Shortly after, they leave for the Bahamas, where Marijn was born, but where his father disappeared mysteriously. Their search for the truth can begin. 

Czech Republic

He was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. His most famous pieces are: Letters to Olga and Garden Party.

Norway

His most famous work is “The Growth of the Soil”.This author received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1920.

Poland
One of Polish best-known writers died there. The man was a Polish Renaissance poet.

Good Luck ;-)

Treasuer Hunt, Clues n°2

 Here are the next clues for every country! 
I hope they will help ;-) Good luck!

Belgium

There is a statue of a poet in the mystery city. This is one of his poems…

Hoe zoet is 't om te peinzen dat, terwijl ik rust misschien, Een ander, ver van hier, mij on- bekend en nooit gezien, U lezen kan mijn dichten, mijn geliefde, en niet en weet Van al de droeve fouten van uw vader de poëet!

How sweet is it to think that, maybe while I’m resting, Someone else, far away from here, unknown to me and never seen, can read my poetry, my beloved, and not know of all the sad mistakes from your father the poet!

Bulgaria 

It is connected with the name of King Simeon I (10th century), during his reign the Bulgarian country bordered on three seas.

Norway

This tiny place is the place where one of our most beloved and, for other than literary reasons, hated authors grew up.

Czech Republic

He’s a Czech writer, politician, dissident and the co-founder of Charta 77.

Poland

It is also one of the oldest in our country. This city is famous for its beautiful Old Town.

Treasure Hunt Contest

As expected, 1L1 students have chosen a city in France and they have imagined 4 clues. Here is the first and the most difficult:

1. The stranger's father lived there.

Have you found out the name of this city?

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Now, you can find the riddles sent by our partners, below. Most of them have imagined 4 clues, but let's make it a bit more difficult ;-) For each country, you will find only one clue for the moment! I will add the others regularly before the end of the month... 

Belgium

1. Georges Rodenbach (1829) wrote a book about this city.

Bulgaria

1. The students of the creators of the Cyrillic alphabet used to work there.

Norway

1. “Hammer Island”.

Czech Republic

1. He was born on 5th October 1936.

Poland

1. This place is the largest Polish city in the east of Poland. It is also one of the oldest in the country.

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So, why did I entitle this post "Treasure Hunt Contest"? Well... because we propose you, 1L students and 2de7 students, to take part in a... contest!

Here are the rules:

1. Work in teams! 3 or 4 students working together is a good idea! Give a name to your team and say to your "Comenius" teachers that your team is taking part in the contest.

2. Draw a map of Europe with the six countries of our project.

3. Find out the 5 places thanks to the clues below and the others that will be posted in the next few days.

4. Each time you find out a place, locate it on your map.

5. Once you have found out the 5 places, PROCLAIM IT!

The winner is the team that has found the 5 places FIRST!

And of course, as for any good contest, there will be a reward, even two! 

One for the quickest team and the other for the best map of Europe!

 Visit this site again to get the new clues ;-)

Start of the treasure hunt through Europe!

Concept: Each country sends riddles to find out one important place in connection with the tasks students have to perform.
The first place must be connected with literature as the students are to write a European tale.

On January 15, 2010, the first riddle is to be published.

Here are the details which were discussed in Bulgaria:

- Each country will choose a stop that has something to do with its national literature (in general). A map will be put in every school, on which the stops of the quest will be pointed out. These stops mustn’t necessarily have something to do with the 2 narratives.

- Clues will have to be given (3 to 5 questions or riddles). These clues will eventually be used in the party game. They can refer to a writer, whose picture can be put on the map. The clues mustn’t be too straightforward (the students must not be able to simply google the answer, they must be challenged to think about it). Several clues can be used to refer to one answer. The clues can also lie in the field of geography, history etc, as to help the students find the answer. In case the clues are too difficult, they can be passed to other students (from other class groups) as well.

- Each country will receive five clues (for five stops) from five countries. The clues can be divided among the students.

- Three to five clues, which are ranked according to difficulty. 2nd and 3rd clue will only be given if the other clues are too difficult. Teachers are free to decide to use this system or not. When the stop is found, a picture can be put on the map.
1st clue: difficult
2nd clue: easier
3rd clue: easy

A group of 1L students are in charge of this task. Good luck and work hard!

Feedbacks from our partners

It's time to discover our partners' feedbacks... Here is what our partners have sent!

POLAND
1. This animal is one of the symbol of the east European countries national park. The question is, which national park?
This animal is the symbol of the National Park of Bialowieza, in Poland.
Well done!!!
2. What are the ingredients of Satokis cake?
Main ingredients are lots of eggs and some butter, flour and sugar.
3. Which year was Jagiellonia football club founded? This football club was founded in 1927.
Yes, that’s true
4. Where did the creator of Esperanto language live?
The creator of Esperanto language lived in Poland. He was born in Bialystok and died in Varsovie.
Good job French students. Congratulations !!!

BELGIUM
Here are the answers to the different questionnaires we received with the boxes:
1. Our language is Netherlands but we also call it Dutch. correct
2. From which city was Beethoven’s grandfather coming from?
Beethoven’s grand father was coming from Malines, in northern Belgium. correct
3. What is the capital of Belgium?
The capital of Belgium is Brussels in English. correct
4. What’s the name of the most loved race circuit in Belgium?
The name of the most loved race circuit in Belgium is Spa-Francorchamps. correct
5. I exist of nine big balls. You find me in Brussels. I shine a lot! I am high and wide? What am I?
I am the Atomium and I was built in 1958 correct
6. Who is the Olympic champion of Beijing in high jump?
The Olympic champion of Beijing in high jump comes from Belgium. Her name is Tia Hellebaut. correct

BULGARIA
1. Why do the Bulgarians wear Martenitza? When do they start wearing it? What does it symbolize
The Bulgarians wear Martenitza (Baba Marta) because it's a tradition in Bulgaria since 681, representing the escape of the five children of a Bulgarian king. It's a red and white pompom. The red colour symbolizes life and passion, the white colour symbolizes purity and soul.
They start wearing it on March 1st and they keep it all month long. It's a way to symbolize a wish of good health.
Our answer: Martenitsa is a small piece of adornment made of white and red yarn, worn by people in the beginning of March starting on March 1st, a tradition of welcoming the spring. It symbolizes the belief of people that these two colours bring life and health.
Well done!

2. What is the name of the statue located in the center of the Bulgarian capital city which symbolizes wisdom and glory and represents protector of the city? How does it look like?
The woman represented on the statue is Sofia, just as the name of the capital city. She holds in her hands the symbol of wisdom and knowledge. She is wearing the crown of Tjuhe. She is the goddess of the destiny.
Our answer: This is a 24-meter bronze statue of the goddess protector of our city, holding the symbols of wisdom and fame. Its name is St. Sofia. She is the mother of Faith, Hope and Love. We celebrate them on September 17th, the day of our city Sofia.
We don’t understand what Tjuhe means. The rest of the answer is correct.

3. Which is the biggest and most impressive eastern orthodox cathedral on the Balkan Peninsula? Why was it built?
The biggest Orthodox cathedral on the Balkan Peninsula is the cathedral Alexander Nevski. It was built between 1904 and 1912 to remind the Russian soldiers dead during the war between Russia and Ottoman Empire that led to the Bulgarian independence (1877/1878)
Our answer: It is Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and it is situated in the centre of Sofia. It is built in honour of the Russian soldiers, who died during the Russian-Turkish War in 1877-1878.
Great job!

4. Which Bulgarian product is connected with the rose growing in the valley of roses and represents a famous Bulgarian trademark.
This famous Bulgarian product is called Rose Water.
Our answer: Bulgaria is one of the biggest producers of rose oil in the world. The secret is in the high quality of Bulgarian roses, a special type that has been cultivated in our country after many years of growing. The rose oil is called ”The liquid gold” of Bulgaria, because it is a very expensive product.
You are right that rose water is also produced form the roses but the most famous product is the rose oil. Good job!

GOOD JOB FRENCH STUDENTS! CONGRATULATIONS!

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Here it is! Isn't it great?
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