Small Collaborative Partnerships – Play with Me, Games of the Past, Sports for Today

From the 22nd to the 24th of February 2019, together with several representatives of our partner organisations, we went over the logistical and administrative aspects of the project - such as task deadlines – and settled the last details of the upcoming activities so as to ensure our project got off to a flying start!

The training course in July 2019 gathered all partner organisations to present each country’s traditional sports and games among the 10 selected. Sports experts and sport youth workers were in charge of analysing and elaborating the instructions of each game in order to ensure an easy comprehension and thus, make sure everyone fully enjoys them. A matter of equal importance has been discussing and preparing one of this project’s main objectives : the Online Handbook and Video Catalog, that will serve as sources of inspiration for anyone keen on implementing the same Learning through Sport methodology.

Initially, the event had been scheduled in April 2020 but due to the COVID pandemic context, we were forced to postpone it. Despite things not looking brighter over this summer regarding the COVID global tensions, we were fortunate to be able to organise an open time frame event from the 16th to the 19th of August 2020 in Varna, Bulgaria, naturally, ensuring everything shall be carried out according to the COVID requirements.

More than 200 tourists at the Varna beach have engaged in the traditional games the representatives of our consortium have refereed, this way creating the ideal environment for intercultural dialogue and exchange of ideas, with the greater aim of promoting peace between our nations.

The Closing Conference has also been moved on the online platforms of communication, given that some representatives of our partner organisations were unable to travel due to COVID restrictions. Nonetheless, we managed to go over everything we have achieved and, so, we were able to take in the success of our project, prompting a positive outlook on prospective alike projects.

Since September 2019 until March 2020, local educational institutions from each of our partners’ countries continued our mission to preserve the 10 traditional games selected for our project by encouraging children to take part in them together, this way, bringing the conventional physical education class to a whole new level of excitement.

Thus, we are closer to reaching our goal of promoting these games of intangible cultural heritage to people of all ages and other interested organisations.

Impressions on the “Play with me!” activities carried out in multiple European countries:

On the 27th of September 2019, we have celebrated the European School Sport Day in Hungary where more than 30 teenagers from different social backgrounds took part in our event, enjoying the traditional games to the fullest.

This event sure enjoyed a culturally diverse public as people from all over Europe have given our 10 traditional games a try. Apart from the energised atmosphere, what struck us as particularly interesting was that even though we grew up in different parts of the continent, it would seem like all of us shared the same childhood games!

Numerous enthusiastic children happily engaged in the games we and their PE teacher conducted. Their favourite? – Lice!

Our games were shared with eager participants from Mexico, Brasil, China, Russia and other European countries!

Here, children had the best PE class of their life playing some of the 10 traditional European games promoted by “Play with me!”.

Numerous students coordinated by prof. Mihaela Amariței & Radu Munteanu with the support of prof. Cristian Vãcãrean & Ioana Ducra had the time of their life, all while enjoying the most engaging traditional games. Play with me … from words to deeds!

The school yard was filled with numerous students engaging in thrilling traditional sports and games under the coordination of prof. Pescleve Cristina with the support of prof. Costiuc Lavinia & prof. Cozmei Elena.

During four exciting days, 31 children with disabilities engaged in fun games, coordinated by teachers specialised in kinetotherapy, psycho-pedagogy and primary education.

“Play with me!” brought about joyous laughs for 30 students who had a lot of fun playing some of the 10 traditional European games. All participants received the encouraging cheers of their peers.

Starting with December 2019 and until February 2020, over 100 students enjoyed themselves while playing some of the traditional sports and games promoted by “Play with me!”.

More about these activities in the local newspaper, on the school’s webpage and on the coordinating teachers’ facebook!

First graders had a blast while taking part in the “Play with me!” activity. Even their teacher, miss Donutiu Maria, who coordinated them, joined the thrill of our games.

Read more about this activity on the official school webpage.

30 first graders engaged in three fun games of those promoted by our project, and one can tell they enjoyed it!

More info about this activity offered by the local media.

The school yard has been the place where all the fun happened. Numerous children engaged in the “Play with me!” event.

More on the school’s official facebook page.

Over 50 students aged between 5 and 11 had a lot of fun playing some of the “Play with me!” traditional games.

The Leaf, Wheelbarrow and The Blind Old Woman have been what 16 students aged between 16 and 18 engaged in, all while having a lot a fun and learning more about Romanian and Bulgarian traditional games.

Several energetic students filled the sports field, eager to try out exciting games from different countries in Europe: Bulgaria (The Blind Old Woman), Greece (Diaulos Race & Lice) and Romania (Wheelbarrow)

A number of youngsters engaged in the traditional games promoted by our project, filling the atmosphere with cheerfulness, enthusiasm and enjoyment.

The cultural and sports centre “WE” has been the place where 5 games promoted by “Play with me!” have been the focus of several enthusiastic youngsters who filled the venue with energy.