Today we continued exploring Smolyan, but this time our focus was culture, heritage and local identity.
Being part of an international project means learning about Europe, but today reminded us that Europe is made up of thousands of very specific local stories.
One of the cultural themes we explored was the connection between the Rhodope Mountains and the legend of Orpheus and Eurydice.
Some of us already knew the myth.
Others heard it in detail for the first time.
But discussing it here, surrounded by the Rhodope Mountains, made the story feel completely different.
Our missions and conversations also introduced us to local traditions, Rhodope vocabulary, food, stories and elements of cultural heritage.
For the international participants, trying to understand regional words was both educational and extremely funny.
For the Bulgarian participants, the activity had another effect.
Sometimes you do not realise how unique something from your own culture is until you have to explain it to somebody from another country.
We also discussed the difference between cultural appreciation and stereotypes.
Intercultural learning is not simply saying:
“Bulgarians eat this.”
“Greeks do that.”
“Romanians are like this.”
Real culture is much more complicated.
Every country contains different regions, generations, traditions and personal identities.
Our international group itself proves that.
Even participants from the same country do not always share the same habits or opinions.
Today helped us understand European diversity from a local perspective.
We can feel strongly connected to our town, region or national identity while at the same time belonging to a wider European community.
These identities do not need to compete with each other.
They can complement each other.
At the end of the day, we realised that cultural exchange does not happen only during an “intercultural evening”.
It happens every time somebody asks:
Why do you do that?
What does that word mean?
Why is this place important to you?
What is the story behind this tradition?
Those questions probably taught us more about each other than any presentation could.
Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the competent programme authorities. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.