LITHUANIA 

As part of the Erasmus+ KA220 project “Let’s play it again – Traditional games and activities as a way to integrate and activate young people,” students and teachers from partner countries travelled to Lithuania for an engaging and culturally rich mobility. The hosting school prepared a dynamic programme that combined educational activities, traditional games, cultural exploration and meaningful collaboration among all participants.

The mobility opened with a warm welcome session that introduced participants to the Lithuanian education system, the organisation of the hosting school and the main goals of the project. Students took part in interactive presentations about the project and the culture of the host country, followed by integration activities designed to encourage early communication, teamwork and intercultural bonding. Through games, quizzes and shared tasks, participants quickly developed a sense of community.

A key focus of the programme was the study and exchange of traditional games. Students analysed materials based on interviews with seniors, watched recorded testimonies, and worked in groups to document clear instructions for traditional games from each participating country. They then rehearsed and refined these games together, discussing rules, strategies and cultural similarities.

Another highlight was a hands-on day of teaching activities, where international student groups taught traditional games to older pupils in local Lithuanian schools. This experience not only strengthened their leadership skills but also demonstrated how traditional play can bridge languages, cultures and generations.

Cultural exploration played an essential role throughout the week. Participants joined an educational excursion to Vilnius, discovering Lithuania’s capital, its history and its multicultural identity. They also attended a live performance by the folk ensemble Solčanka, where they learned and participated in authentic Lithuanian ethnic games, deepening their understanding of the country’s heritage.

The mobility culminated in a vibrant Festival of Games and Activities, where students showcased what they had learned, collaborated across countries and celebrated the importance of play as a unifying educational tool. Certificates were awarded, reflections were shared, and participants recorded testimonials on the project’s eTwinning platform, ensuring that the experience will be preserved as part of the project’s digital memory.

The final moments of the mobility were filled with music, joy and celebration during a closing gathering and discotheque — a fitting conclusion to a week defined by friendship, cultural exchange and active learning. Participants returned home enriched with new experiences, strengthened skills and a renewed appreciation for Europe’s shared traditions.