Let’s Celebrate Europe!

Let’s Celebrate Europe’, a project created on the 70^th anniversary of the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, saw the coming together of 26 countries of the European Union, including Malta with over 1,200 young people aged between 11 and 12 singing together at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

The project was the fruit of a partnership between the European Collectivity of the French region of Alsace, an Alsatian twinned school and its European Twinned school. In Malta’s case, the Victor Hugo College (Middle School) in Colmar was the school which embraced the Maltese students hailing from the Mikiel Anton Vassalli College. Head of College Network Mr Victor Galea was also present throughout the event together with the assistance of 2 educators from same College, namely Ms Glorian Micallef Grimaud and Ms Olga Cefai.

This civic and cultural exchange, kicked off with a grand concert held within the EU Parliament in Strasbourg on 30 May together with a flash mob performance. 13 Students coming from the Mikiel Anton Vassalli College Schools (Art, Drama, Dance and Music) gave an excellent rendition of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy as well as other musical scores. Mr Geoffrey Thomas, the appointed choirmaster, professionally coached them months in advance.

The concert was followed by a whole week of activities centered in Colmar including, amongst others,  visits to museums, a guided tour, a visit to the Hohlandsbourg Castle, a Drama sketch, and a reception hosted by the Mayor at the town hall. Throughout their stay, French families embraced the Maltese students into their homes and daily life for a whole week.

On their last day in France, the Victor Hugo School welcomed the Maltese students into its classrooms, enabling them to savour a day at school in a different environment. This was followed by a buffet in the school’s garden offered by the Head of the School Mr Éric Loesch and the parents. 

The project ended in France on 3 June but shall extend until next year when Malta will be hosting the same French students and the accompanying adults for yet another exchange between these two countries focusing on building bonds through culture, contact and sharing.