In Catania with the Etna behind

A warm welcome

Throughout the week, the students were treated to a diverse and engaging program meticulously crafted by the host school. Each day was filled with a variety of exciting activities, both within the school premises and out in the city, including cultural and social events.

Highlights of their stay included a heartfelt welcome ceremony at Istituto Compresivo Don Bosco di Gela, where they enjoyed local delicacies, music, and a warm speech from the school's headmistress, Ms. Rosalba Marchisciana. They also participated in a range of activities such as concerts, mural painting, and cultural exchanges.

One particularly memorable day included a visit to Niscemi, where students explored the Sughereta Nature Reserve and the Civic Museum under the guidance of a knowledgeable local professor, Enzo Liardo. 

Professor Enzo explained every little detail about the corks in Sughereta.

They also had a warm reception at the Higher Education Institute "Leonardo da Vinci", where they were treated to a delicious lunch of Sicilian cuisine and engaged in a collaborative mural painting project under the expert guidance of Professor Maurizio Vicari. 

The resulting artwork, celebrating the spirit of mobility and adorned with symbols of Portuguese pride, left a lasting impression on all who beheld it.

The following day, was time for a visit to Gela Sea Authority, where Portuguese and Sicilian students learnt about the several responsibilities and initiatives of this authority, especially concerning the safeguarding of migrants when trying to reach the Italian coastlines and the protection and preservation of maritime ecosystems.

This day was also time for the students to have fun with families, who took then to the local fair where they had great fun riding some merry-go-rounds, tasting some local delicacies and hanging out with their “new” Sicilian families.

Thursday was time to visit another plexus of the Istituto, Falcone-Borsellino School, where the group of students accomplished some challenges and had arts workshops, where they produced some presents to share between themselves, Portuguese and Italian hosts. 

There also was a ceremony for the handing of certificates and time to dance the typical Tarantela. 

In the afternoon, we (group) went on a fun-filled walk through the ancient ruins of Mura Timoleontee, led by a friendly and captivating local archaeologist, Giuseppe la Spina, who explained everything about this archaeological site. 

The students were totally hooked by the tales of the past and the juicy stories about how Gela's history shaped the Sicilian culture.

Friday was time to go back to Catania, where late in the evening we would take the plane back to Rome, but to explore every little spot of this amazing city, the group took off very early in the morning.

The group visited all the landmarks: Piazza del Duomo, Church of San Marino Bianchi, Ursino Castle, Roman Theatre, Bellini Massimo Theatre, Fountain of the Elephant, and the City Hall, where the group took a picture with the Mayor of Catania. All this had as background the wonderful Etna volcano, which was releasing some smoke.