European Capitals of Culture

Dear Pupils and collegues,

During the week from 13th to 17th June, the European Club from Escola Secundária Fernando Namora, organized its last exhibition of this schoolyear.
The theme was the European Capitals of Culture, with special emphasis on the Capitals of 2011: Turku in Finland and Tallin, in Estonia.
The exhibition used cardboards to illustrate the scope, tradition and recent history behind the creation of this european event and had also the contribution of the 7th grade classes with the result of their research of some European capitals of the past.
Here is a slideshow so that you can have a look at our exhibition.

Read some piece of information about the European Capitals of Culture, taken from the site of the European Commission.

Each year, cities chosen as European Capitals of Culture – in 2011 Tallinn, and Turku – provide living proof of the richness and diversity of European cultures. Started in 1985, the initiative has become one of the most prestigious and high-profile cultural events in Europe.
More than 40 cities have been designated European Capitals of Culture so far, from Stockholm to Genoa, Athens to Glasgow, and Cracow to Porto.

A city is not chosen as a European Capital of Culture solely for what it is, but mainly for what it plans to do for a year that has to be exceptional. Its programme for the year must meet some specific criteria.

http://youtu.be/zQxcEwynZ4w (watch some images of Turku)

http://youtu.be/Xwztbuw__hU (watch some images of Tallin)

Purpose

The European Capitals of Culture initiative was set up to:

- highlight the richness and diversity of European cultures

- celebrate the cultural ties that link Europeans together

- bring people from different European countries into contact with each other's culture and promote mutual understanding

- foster a feeling of European citizenship.

In addition, studies have shown that the event is a valuable opportunity to:


- regenerate cities

-raise their international profile and enhance their image in the eyes of their own inhabitants

- give new vitality to their cultural life

- raise their international profile, boost tourism and enhance their image in the eyes of their own inhabitants.

Find more:
http://ec.europa.eu/culture/our-programmes-and-actions/doc413_en.htm
http://www.tallinn2011.ee/eng
http://www.turku2011.fi/en/turku-2011/turku-european-capital-culture-2011
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Capital_of_Culture
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sonidoargento/5557873475/
http://www.tourism.tallinn.ee/fpage/experience/tallinn_2011
http://www.turku.fi/public/default.aspx?nodeid=14281&culture=en-us&contentlan=2

Wheat ear day 2011 - Pancake race

Dear pupils and colleagues,
last year we began celebrating the Wheat Ear Day with a class (former 7th A) and we liked it so much that we have decided to repeat the celebration this year.You all can have a look at some info and photos from last year in this very same blog:http://teacheranaamaro.blogspot.com/2010/05/dia-da-espiga-wheat-ear-day.html.

 

The afternoon began in Parque Verde in Condeixa-a-Nova, on the 1st June 2011. We arrived, prepared the snacks and the drinks and then began the presentation of an English tradition: Pancake Day and Pancake Race. The pupils read some cards with the explanation of this historical tradition while the audience listened to it carefully.

Then the pupils, dressed properly, spend a few moments training for the race, trying to toss the pancakes up in the air. The pancakes were real, baked by me in the very same morning. Everything was prepared accordingly because we wanted to make it as closer to the real tradition as possible.

Then the pancake race began! Up your marks, ready, set, go!!!! There were two races: one for the girls and one for the boys.

At the end there was the traditional kiss from the bell-ringer.

And these were our winers!



After the race there was still time to sing a song, read somes poems, play a football match and have lunch.

It was a wonderful afternoon.One we are sure we will repeat next year.

Women only at world's oldest pancake race

For more than 500 years, the English town of Olney has held its traditional Shrove Tuesday pancake race, a dash by local women from the market square to the church -- all while holding a pan and pancake. For the winner, a place in the history books and for local children, a chance to dream of one day competing in the oldest pancake race in the world.

Watch these amusing videos and have fun!!!!!


http://youtu.be/Ngal2tQ17fA

http://youtu.be/T8Uhcf-TmZw

Pancake Day and Pancake race

Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday (also known as Pancake Day, Pancake Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, and Mardi Gras) is a term used in English-speaking countries, especially the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, and parts of the United States for the day preceding Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of fasting and prayer called Lent.

The word shrove is the past tense of the English verb to shrive, which means to obtain absolution for one's sins by way of confession and doing penance. During the week before Lent, sometimes called Shrovetide in English, Christians were expected to go to confession in preparation for the penitential season of turning to God. Shrove Tuesday was the last day before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, and noted in histories dating back to 1000 AD.

In the United Kingdom and many other countries, the day is often known as Pancake Day. Making and eating such foods was considered a last feast with ingredients such as sugar, fat and eggs, whose consumption was traditionally restricted during the ritual fasting associated with Lent.

A pancake race

On Pancake Day, pancake races are held in villages and towns across the United Kingdom. The tradition is said to have originated when a housewife from Olney was so busy making pancakes that she forgot the time until she heard the church bells ringing for the service. She raced out of the house to church while still carrying her frying pan and pancake. The pancake race remains a relatively common festive tradition in the UK, and England in particular, even today. Participants with frying pans race through the streets tossing pancakes into the air, catching them in the pan whilst running.

Pancakes are closely related to French crepes and are very easy to make. Why don't you try the pancake recipe?



Ingredients:


• 2 cups all-purpose flour, stirred or sifted before measuring

• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 2 large eggs

• 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups milk

• 2 tablespoons melted butter

Preparation:

Sift together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and 1 1/2 cups of milk; add to flour mixture, stirring only until smooth. Blend in melted butter. If the batter seems too thick to pour, add a little more milk. Cook on a hot, greased griddle, using about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake. Cook until bubbly, a little dry around the edges, and lightly browned on the bottom; turn and brown the other side. Recipe for pancakes serves 4.

To find more information about Pancake recipes go to:

 - http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/good-old-fashioned-pancakes/Detail.aspx
- http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/breakfast-and-brunch/pancakes/Main.aspx
- http://www.thepancakerecipe.com/
- http://southernfood.about.com/od/pancakesandwaffles/r/bl30320v.htm


- http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/basicpancakeswithsuga_66226

Pancake race

The most famous pancake race at Olney in Buckinghamshire, has been held since 1445. The contestants, traditionally women, carry a frying pan and race to the finishing line while tossing the pancakes as they go. The winner is the first to cross the line having tossed the pancake a certain number of times. Traditionally, when men want to participate, they must dress up as a housewife (usually an apron and a bandanna).

Nowadays these events are often held to raise money for charity.

To find more about PANCAKE DAY:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/8369203/Parliamentary-pancake-race.html

http://www.digitalnewsagency.com/stories/2361-learn-how-to-create-the-perfect-pancake-with-help-from-celebrity-chef-phil-vickery
http://www.learnenglish.de/Temp/March/ShroveTuesday.htm

Asking for and giving directions

Many times when you meet some tourists you need to know how to give directions. It's not always easy to remember how to say things. Let's watch and listen to the video below and learn or recall how to ask for and give directions.

You can also practise, by using this map and answering the questions.

1- Excuse me, can you tell me the way to the British Museum? (You are at the Buckingham Palace) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2- Excuse me, where is Madame Tussauds? (You are at the British Museum) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3- Excuse me, how can I go to the Buckingham Palace? (You are at the Planetarium) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Juno - The film

Juno

Juno is a Canadian film directed by Jason Reitman and produced by John Malkovich, Lianne Halfon, Mason Novick and Russell Smith. It was written by Diablo Cody based on many of her own school experiences.

Starring Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney, J. K. Simmons and Olivia Thirlby, the film won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and earned three other Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Page.

It was distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures and relesead on September 1, 2007 in Telluride

Juno received numerous positive reviews from critics, many of whom placed the film on their top ten lists for the year. The film has also received both criticism and praise from members of both the pro-life and pro-choice communities regarding its treatment of abortion.

The film begins with Juno (Ellen Page) staring at a recliner (while drinking a gallon of Sunny-D) telling the audience that it all began with a chair. We see a short flashback of Juno and her best friend, Paulie Bleeker, having sex.

A tale told over four seasons, starting in autumn when Juno, a 16-year-old high-school junior in Minnesota, discovers she's pregnant after one event in a chair with her best friend, Bleeker. In the waiting room of an abortion clinic, Juno decides to give birth and to place the child with an adoptive couple. She finds one in the Penny Saver personals, contacts them, tells her dad and step-mother, and carries on with school.

Sixteen year-old Juno MacGuff is the type of girl that doesn't really care what others may think of her. She loves music, saying exactly what she thinks about the world and the others, and she is the one that takes and assumes all her decisions.

This film is irreverent, funny, has an innovate graphic and music design and compares to nothing you have previously seen about the topic of teenage pregnancy.



Synopsis

Juno is fairly pragmatic about her situation. Although there, Paulie really leaves all the decisions about the baby to Juno.



As the pregnancy progresses, Juno struggles with the emotions she feels for her baby's father, Paulie, who is clear in love with Juno. Juno maintains an outwardly indifferent attitude toward Paulie, but when she learns he has asked another girl to the upcoming prom, she is hurt and angrily confronts him. Paulie reminds Juno that it is at her request they remain distant and tells her that she broke his heart. He also suggests that she has feelings for him she is unable to admit.

Vanessa and Mark, the future adoptive parents have a fight and Mark decided to separate from his wife. At first, Juno is horrified and breaks down in tears. Juno finally accepts that she loves Paulie.


 



When the baby is born, Vanessa comes to the hospital where she claims the newborn baby boy as a single adoptive mother. On the wall in the baby's new nursery, Vanessa has framed Juno's note—addressed only to her—which reads "Vanessa: If you're still in, I'm still in. —Juno."

The film ends in the summertime with Juno and Paulie playing guitar and singing together, followed by a kiss.

To find more about this wonderful film you can go to:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0467406/plotsummary
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juno_(film)~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBDbUVXXp-U&feature=related
http://www.foxsearchlight.com/juno/





Harry Potter- the first and the last film

Do you know Harry Potter? Almost every kid in the world recognises this name. He has become a symbol of an unexpected hero and a role model for many children who weren't the most popular  ones at the beginning of their lives.

Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling (http://www.jkrowling.com/). The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The main story concerns Harry and the evil wizard Lord Voldemort, who killed Harry's parents in his quest to conquer the wizarding world and subjugate non-magical people (Muggles).

On 30th June 1997 the first novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was released(http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0241527/), (retitled Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the United States) the books have gained immense popularity, critical acclaim and commercial success worldwide.  The book series has sold more than 400 million copies and has been translated into 67 languages, and the last four books have consecutively set records as the fastest-selling books in history.

Tthe first six books have been made into films by Warner Brothers; it is the highest grossing film series of all time. The seventh book has been made into two films which are planned to be released nearly eight months apart: Part I was released on 19th November 2010 and the series finale is currently scheduled for release on 15 July 2011.

Watch the trailer of the first film - Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone




You can visit the official site of Harry Potter in http://harrypotter.pt.warnerbros.com/home.html and play some funny games.


 Now watch the latest film - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part I and compare the differences of ages and and phisionamy of the main characters.