Description of activities
The participating ASPnet schools in Montenegro and their students welcomed the kind invitation to take part in the inspiring “Gift a poem” campaign with interest and appreciation, and here is the short description of the activities organized. In Public Primary School “Pavle Rovinski”, Podgorica, students of IV, V, VI, VII and VIII grade took part in the campaign “Gift a poem”, by presenting with their unique handwritings famous verses from the world poetry literature, as well as lines from popular songs (which are so often hummed). The teachers who implemented the activity are English language teachers Ana Radosevic, Marija Brajovic, Maja Kostic Radulovic. The school coordinator of the “Gift a poem” is teacher Miradija Ramadani. Link for Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/os_pavle_rovinski/reel/DHbtFcDI-7X/
On the other hand, in Public Primary School “Veljko Drobnjakovic” in Risan, a III grade student Aneta Krivokapic, under the mentorship from her teacher Suncica Radovic, sent us a beautiful report, describing her reasons for gifting a poem. Here is her letter for the “Gift for a poem” campaign: “My name is Aneta. I live in Risan, a small but beautiful place in Boka. I am a third grade student. I like to draw a lot, to collect collections of toys, cars, pieces of paper. I like to walk with my parents. Since there are three generations living in my family, I often hear about their lives. My dad works in the Home for the Elderly, and we also hear various life stories from him. My dad often makes friends with some of them. He often walks and talks with them. That’s how I met uncle Mitar, who has a difficult life story. He has been staying in the House for several years. It was difficult for him when he had to be separated from his family, in order to, as he says, “not to bother them anymore”. Sometimes he talks about some sad events. He hugged me once and said “After all, you are our hope!” What did that “after all” meant? Then I saw sadness, longing and hope in his eyes. I wanted, at least in some way, to make uncle Mitar happy and gift him with the poem “Blue Star” by Miroslav Antic, with the wish that he overcomes a serious illness.”
On the occasion of the World Poetry Day, in Public Primary School “Dusan Korac” in Bijelo Polje, a literary contest was organized for students from VI to IX grades. The topic of the contest was free, aimed to promote poetry writing. For each category, a three-member jury was appointed which consisted exclusively of school students. The number of works that one student could send (poetry) was not limited. In each category, the three best papers were selected, while the authors were awarded diplomas and symbolic prizes. The students, whose poems were chosen among the best, presented their works of art at the final literary workshop, which was held on March 21 to honor the World Poetry Day. The “Gift a Poem” campaign was organized as part of the literary workshop. The act of gifting the words of poetry is a completely human form of friendly co-presence, spiritual support, comfort, as well as a means of sustaining hope and building peace. The task was to decide to whom to gift the poem, then find a book of poetry and choose a poem, and on a specially prepared stationary card, copy the poem and present it to the chosen person (parents, friends, teachers…). In this fashion, a 7th grade student Emir Atulahovic gifted the poem “Majka” (eng. “Mother”) by Mira Aleckovic to his mother; Nika Vragic, student of the 6th grade, presented as a gift the poem “Library” by Elizabeta Georgiev to school librarian Dragica Sekulic. Student of III grade Mija Milosavljevic, presented as a gift the handwritten poem “Letter to the Teacher” by Vitomir Nikolic to her former teacher Alida Bozova. Student Emir Burdzovic gifted the poem “Hvala Vam” (eng. “Thank you”) by author Snjezana Gvozden Malas to his mentor, the chemistry teacher Radmila Radovic, in order to thank her for her great support, as he won the 1st place at the national State competition.
On the occasion of World Poetry Day and the initiative of the Zbigniew Herbert Foundation, on March 21, the Poetry Lovers Club of the Public High School “Slobodan Skerovic” from Podgorica organized the “Gift a Poem” campaign. Students presented handwritten poetry to teachers and students of their school: “We, students, spread the good word among our large school family”. The activities of the Poetry Lovers Club were coordinated by prof. Gordana Vucinic. On the same occasion, Ms. Maja Sekulovic, the professor of Montenegrin – Serbian, Bosnian, Croatian language and literature, with her students members of the Creative Workshop section, set up the “Blackout Poetry” exhibition in the lobby in front of the library. On the left panel, an exhibition of works of “obscured” poetry was presented, while on the right side, a stand was set up to offer students the opportunity to try their hand at “writing” this poetry. Sandra Brnovic and Milos Popovic, professors of Montenegrin-Serbian, Bosnian, Croatian language and literature, designed and set up posters and a stand in the ground floor hall where students had the most beautiful conversation, exchanging poetry. They could read and choose lesser-known lyrical works from the posters, and also leave their favorite poems there. YouTube link: https://youtu.be/l3gLqGjPRCs?feature=shared
The World Poetry Day was celebrated in Public Secondary Mixed School “17 September”, settled in the nothern town Zabljak. Through this report, the school wanted to share their activities. The guests at the school on that occasion were the editors of the Literary Club “Poenta Poetika” and the Children’s Magazine “Osmijeh”, Goran Radojicic and Milica Radojicic from Niksic. Students had opportunity to hear about the “The power of youth” initiative, aimed at explaining the position of the youth in society, through interesting workshops. Students Tijana Djurdjic and Tara Lekovic (1st and 4th grade high school students) and Luka Kasalica (ninth grade primary school student), recited and presented their own written verses to the public. Marija Krstajic, a 4th grade high school student, by gaving the opening speech, introduced the World Poetry Day.
Schools involved
- Public Primary School “Pavle Rovinski” Podgorica
- Public Primary School “Veljko Drobnaković” Risan
- Public Primary School “Dušan Korać” Bijelo Polje
- Public Gymnasium “Slobodan Škerović” Podgorica
- Public Secondary Mixed School “17.septembar” Žabljak