Connecting Classrooms Literary Competition 2012
Slovakia/Serbia/Germany – A Dream Country
Uzicka gimnazija, Uzice, Serbia
٭٭٭
We went to Serbia
It was a long long trip
We took an airplane
Not a train or a ship
There it was so hot
And the culture so different
We had to change a lot
To fit in
The kids there showed us how everything works
It was hard at first
But after a while we had fun
And enjoyed our left over time in the sun
To learn about the different culture
It was a great experience
I would recommend it to everyone
´cause it was great fun
Anna Schlaizer, ‚Pierre Trudeau‘, Barleben, Germany
Serbia – a dream country
I think, during the past time of Connecting-Classrooms-Project, we all learned a lot about the other countries which were taking part and also about ourselves and how we all fit perfectly together.
At the beginning of this school year we visited a school in Serbia and I honestly have to say it was all different than I expected and although Serbia is not the country everyone dreams of there are lots of reasons why they should. At first we thought that there were no similarities between Serbia and Germany but as we stayed longer we discovered that it is not that different from Germany as we first thought. We learned much about Serbian culture, food and how the people live.
Connecting-Classrooms gave us the opportunity to discover Serbia as our dream country and I made some memories I do not want to miss in my life.
Anna Bierschenk, ‘Pierre Trudeau‘, Barleben, Germany
Unknown Expectations – winning entry
Unknown country,
unknown culture,
unknown language.
Everything different and strange.
Meeting wonderful people,
talking about experiences,
sharing opinions.
Noticing the differences, but
also the similarities.
Having new friends,
having new knowledges,
having another perspective.
Everything and nothing changed.
Christin Huchel, ‘Pierre Trudeau‘, Barleben, Germany
٭٭٭- winning entry
Far away from Germany,
in the east of Europe,
there is a little mysterious country,
which they call Serbia.
In Serbia, there is the sun,
in Germany the rain.
In both there is some fun,
which they contain.
With trees, with lakes and rivers flowing,
they are everywhere growing.
Big towns, little towns,
everywhere there are some towns.
They have many differences,
but still are all the same.
They are hospitable,
and live calmly.
These are all the people,
who exist in this country.
They have many traditions,
and many ambitions.
For those they’ll live forever
and forget them never.
In the sun glows a tree,
in the moonshine glows a tree.
Everywhere glows a tree,
and that’s what makes it beautiful.
In the winter you go skiing,
in the summer you go swimming.
You can do it everywhere,
in this big whole country there.
Maximilian Berndt, ‘Pierre Trudeau‘, Barleben, Germany
Serbia – winning entry
Green grass covers
The dark ground.
The sun strokes gently the mountains.
They turn their colour from grey to orange,
When the sun is rising.
Friendly shines the sun in my face,
When it arrives the zenith.
She blinds my eyes,
And warms my body,
The serbian sun.
Like wings of butterflys,
The wind fingers my skin.
It warming blows through the streets,
And the trees
Over the day.
Fresh and cold blows the wind
Between the mountains.
The wind fondles my hair,
Over the night,
The wind of Serbia.
Thousand of them adorn the Serbian sky,
Like fireflies they cover the firmament.
They donate their light the earth,
Tickle my nose,
But they are so far away.
The sky, the stars, the wind and the sun,
We all know them.
Everywhere on the earth,
We see the same sun, stars and sky,
We all feel the same wind.
That's what connecting our world in every moment.
Katharina Schwertner, ‘Pierre Trudeau’, Barleben, Germany
Serbia - a trip far away
We got the chance
to get to know to Serbia
So it wasn't an easy dance
to travel over there
When we arrived
everything was new
but after a while
there were things that we knew
In school we had some lessons
where we laerned
talked
and worked a lot
The people were really friendly
We did a lot of things together
but we knew
it wouldn't be forever
Unfortunately this was already the end
Even so we will send
a fantastic letter
to keep the contact better
Leonie Diffené, ‚Pierre Trudeau‘, Barleben, Germany
A Toast from Janosik and Marko Kraljevic
Brothers – winning entry
My good brothers, brave and kind!
Lest there be need further to
remind –
Forever bear in your mind:
Allies in this world are hard
to find.
Slavic blood runs through your veins;
Keep your soul free and save it
from chains,
When hatred strikes, when death reigns –
Whatever be – unity
remains!
Vojislav Bogosavljevic, Uzicka gimnazija,Uzice, Serbia
Serbia - a Dream Country
My country is still developing after everything that has happened in the past 20 years. This was and still is a difficult period for us since we are trying to forget the the awful things that have happened in this region in the past and to confront with new problems. Although the comunist regime left some marks on our society, people in my country are friendly, extremely emotional, liberal, communicative, a bit conservative , religious, proud and despite everything that has happened still believe in better tomorrow. My country has beautiful nature, picturesque countryside, history that we should be proud of, the best athletes in the world like Novak Đoković, young people that have brilliant new ideas, but we just don´t know how to use that.
On the other side, we have our politicians. As Mahatma Gandhi once said:"The art of war is the art of destroying people, politics is the art of deception."If you look at our political scene you will see the same people every day and it looks like a soap opera without an end. They say we are striding towards the EU but I think we are striding towards collapse and bankruptcy. They still have the same goals, the same friends in the world although they have tricked us many times in the past but the situation in our country is becoming more and more hopeless. All of them will probably one day finish in jail because they are corrupted. But, we won´t give up.
When you read this, you will think that I am a pessimist since our future is in the hands of wrong people. But, believe me , I am sure that there is light on the end of the tunnel. All things considered, this country is full of challenges, but for me it is a dream country.
Nikola Bošnjaković, Gimnazija „Takovski ustanak“, Gornji Milanovac, Serbia
A Dream Country – winning entry
Germany. Bundesliga. Munich. Bayern Munich is my favorite football club, besides Partizan Belgrade. I think that my life in Germany, in Munich precisely, would be so easy and relaxing. Going on Allianz Arena cheerful, without worries... I could get used to it. Seventy thousand people singing one song, it's better than Metallica's gig in Seattle 1989. That's my main reason and because of that Germany is a beautiful country. Other reasons? Oktoberfest! Drinking beer and celebrating its existence for sixteen days straight... That's the dream! I mean, I'm not alcoholic, I'm a sportsman, but it's German beer. People say that it is great.
But, on the other hand Serbia and Jelen Super Liga. Wild hooligans, I mean 'nice and polite football fans' singing, waving flags, swearing. Corrupt referees... That is just awesome. Belgrade Beer Fest, a week of drinking and listening to famous ex-Yugoslavia rock bands, meeting new people from other cities and countries, making new friendships. We have Eurokrem, that's ten times better than Nutella, so, your argument is invalid. It doesn't matter that my country is poor and people from other countries don't know where Serbia is... I know. And Serbia is my dream country.
Ognjen Manojlović, Gimnazija “Takovski ustanak”, Gornji Milanovac, Serbia
My dream country
I dream of my Serbia
to be so great,
So nobody would have to migrate.
We must remember its story,
and not forget our glory.
History we must keep
even though because of it we creep.
The powerful ruler, almighty as he thinks,
sits in his throne and play with us jinxed.
But barrier will break and earth will quake
and people will see, fool he used to be.
I hope Serbia will survive
and new dreams will arrive
I am waiting for encore
cause this made me eyesore.
Nikola Terzic, Gimnazija “Takovski ustanak”, Gornji Milanovac, Serbia
Serbia - A dream country
A dream country, yes it is
Serbia, land of showbiz
Why showbiz now you ask me,
I will tell you, you will see.
If what you want is education,
That would be no true sensation
'Cause everybody wants to study
No one's hands want to be muddy.
Knowledge is the greatest power
So they tell us every day,
Why then does it taste so sour
When we try to make our way.
Study study all day long
Just to see those good years pass,
Makes our spirit, once so strong
Become fragile as a glass.
But don’t worry, we won’t break
A little stronger we might be,
‘Cause we know and we can see
What this country’s bonnet with the bee.
Funny how things can turn out
Study hard, for work you shout,
But you will not get your chance
If you don’t follow their “dance”.
Now you do see how we stand
We don’t seem to be so “grand”,
But now you can see how it is
In Serbia, land of showbiz.
Lazar Jakšić, Gimnazija “Takovski ustanak”, Gornji Milanovac, Serbia
Great Britain- A Dream Country
SinceI found out that Great Britain exists, I adore that country. Since then I have always wanted to know everything about it. Istarted to ask everybody that might know something about it. I also went on the internet to search and find out all the information about Great Britain. Every second day I was showing more and more interest for that amazing country. So, it has been my dream land for thiswholetime.
I know abunch of sights, but I would like tofind out more. I know a little about Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Stonehenge, the London Eye etc. I would also love to meet the Queen Elizabeth II, her son prince Charles, his sons Harry and William and his wife Kate (and maybe someday their unborn child). My mom has a friend of hers in Newcastle upon Tyne. My favourite bands, singers, actors live in Great Britain. I had the opportunity to go thereand attendone of the private schools by winning a scholarship, but i missed it. Now, when I haveexperienced it, I think Ihave better chances for scholarship and going there. Until then, I can only dream about visiting it. Great Britain will always stay the land of my dreams.
I hope I will getachancetovisitGreat Britain and at the end, to livein it. It would be a dream comes true.
Maja Maleš, Gimnazija “Takovski ustanak”, Gornji Milanovac, Serbia
Serbia- A Dream country
Serbia is not really a dream country, but it is my country.
I have lived here for 16 years and I have learnt that Serbia has a lot of good and bad sides. It’s not a big, rich or breathtaking country, but Serbia has polite and kind people and amazing history. Hospitality is a word that describes the Serbs and everyone knows that. If you don’t believe me, come and see it yourself.
Our people love bragging about our past. The older people often say that our kings and queens were using forks and spoons when everyone else in the world was eating with hands.
Serbia is full of green forests, crystal clear lakes and high mountains.
Belgrade is the capital of Serbia, but it isn’t the most beautiful city. There are a lot of interesting cities in Serbia, but people don’t know much about them. The cities like Novi Sad, Niš and Gornji Milanovac are worth visiting in Serbia.
So, if zou get a chance to visit this amazing country, don’t miss it!
Sara Radojičić, Gimnazija “Takovski ustanak”, Gornji Milanovac, Serbia
Serbia – a Deam Country
‘’Hello, we are a famous newspaper from Serbia and we shared some kind of poll via famous social network called ‘’Facebook’’ where we asked people: ‘’ Is Serbia your dream country and if it is, why?’’I have to tell you that we have got many answers and I will try to present you some of positive answers.
One girl from Guadalupe, Mexico wrote that she would like to live in Serbia because “Serbia is thirty years late (compared with other developed countries) and The end of the world won’t hit it now...”
Haidari from Kabul, Afghanistan told us that he has friends and cousins here and he heard that “Serbia is a pretty peaceful state with picturesque countryside, friendly people...”
Marc from Northern Canada said that “Serbia is great place for living because the climate is great, it’s not so warm and cold”, so these are satisfying requirements for him…
Ierah Takea from Maldives heard that “Serbia is a very interesting country and that it doesn’t have a sea!” That was a main motive for her to put ‘yes’ on our poll because she has become bored of water, water and water everywhere around.
And for the end we left Ilija Radovanovic from Novi Sad in Serbia, and he gave very simple answer – I love my country! I don’t want to live anywhere else! This is my own country, my dream country!
This was our short text about Serbia as a dream country, we hoped you enjoyed it and read us next week! ‘’
Nemanja Joksić, Gimnazija ‚Takovski ustanak‘, Gornji Milanovac, Serbia
Germany-a dream country
“I have a dream.”
Germany is one of Europe’s most fascinating countries, with a long remarkable history and rich traditions; it certainly would not leave anyone bored. It is the perfect blend of traditional and modern and has something to offer to everyone.
Germany is located in central Europe which makes it ideally situated at the crossroads to the great trade centres of Europe. Thousands of people immigrate to Germany every year, leaving their own countries in search of a better life and wanting to fulfill their dream. Are they able to make it in Germany? Of course they are, but that requires a lot of studying and preparing for a future job. That is what Germany provides you with, the best schools of all types with the most modern teaching systems, for everybody.
Germany has a diversified economy and is highly developed. Products "Made in Germany" are wanted all over the world. Germany has one of the best social systems in the world, pretty much everybody has a very good health insurance, even people who are unemployed have the same insurance, and the government takes care of the poor. It is a very organized country; it has a very good educational system. It is a very clean country; it has maybe the best public transportation system in the world. Germany has had the lowest unemployment rate for over 20 years.
Apart from having all those utilities it also has a great and rich history. The German Empire was one of the most powerful empires for centuries. It was also the place where the famous writers lived such as The Grimm Brothers who wrote Rapunzel, Cinderella, Snow White and many other well-known fairy tales.
So these are just some of the reasons why Germany is my dream country.
Isidora Vasilijevic, Gimnazija “Takovski ustanak”, Gornji Milanovac, Serbia
Serbia - aDream Country – winning entry
In a kingdom far, far away, lived the three princesses: Germany, the oldest, Serbia, the middle child, and Slovakia, the youngest. As in every family, the sisters were caring for one another, but they could never understand others’ wishes and desires, as if they were speaking different languages. In time, they grew apart. Serbia was a beautiful child, and she blossomed into an outstanding young woman. She wore dresses that you could only wish for in your dreams. Greens, sometimes with flower patterns, warm oranges, browns, but also cold, cold blues and whites, depending on her mood. She was quite sporty. Tennis was her favorite, but she stood out in other sports, as well. She had many qualities, but she wasn't aware of them. The meals that she prepared, the way she prepared them, her politeness and friendliness, attracted many people from other kingdoms. She made friends, but some of them were not what they seemed... Those wanted to take advantage of her unawareness, and were very cunning and successful in that. Serbia began to avoid taking care of herself. Her dresses were now stained with her insecure moves. You coludn't recognize that green color that was once so clear. Not capable of remembering who she once was, she tried to find herself, but did not succeed, she always ended up looking like someone else. So she aspired to be like the ones who she thought looked pleased with themselves and more importantly-happy.