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Strangers in Roskilde Cathedral
By Tove Larsen, Billesborgskolen
Wednesday March 10, 2011 was a great day for the 8th graders at Billesborgskolen!For months the students had cooperated with students from the Middle East and had shared their projects on the home page comfu.org.
The students had agreed – although at first somewhat hesitantly – to host the delegates at the conference when they came to see Roskilde Cathedral.
Challenging the visitors
We had thought long and hard to find a creative and entertaining frame for the visit, and decided to use a game, which we called "Roskilde Dom". The game is a kind of puzzle which we developed in connection with a competition under the auspices of WHE. The point of the game is to build the cathedral in its various shapes throughout time. Every time you answer a question correctly, you get a 'piece' of the church.
Then the day arrived when we were to meet our friends from the Middle East. "Roskilde Dom" was to be tested!
After a tour with a guide the visitors were divided into groups and heard the presentation which had been prepared by the 8th graders. Afterwards they were to answer questions. Correct answers meant a piece of the cathedral in the colors of the team – and the winners were given prizes.
The whole procedure caused some nervousness. Was it good enough? Could we speak English? Would our minds go blank? The visitors from the Middle East were game for the game. 8th grade at Billesborgskolen had a cultural encounter they will not soon forget!
It was a really good experience! I struck up a nice friendship with some from Egypt, Bahrain, Syria, Lebanon and Denmark. We had loads of fun. It was awesome to spend time with those from the Middle East and get to know their humor and their games.
Benjamin Mann-Nakel
Last week was a week I shall never forget. It was simply a perfect week. Just thinking about the week makes me sad because I miss them all so much.
We learned a little Arabic. I got some really good friends. There are the Danish girls from Nivå and South Jutland. But also Mohammed from Egypt. Safa and Ismail from Bahrain, Hussein, Khaled and Fatima from Lebanon, and many others.
Anne Cathrine Eilsøe