Thanks to SOS International and the Lauder Javne School of Budapest, I could get another chance to be a part of a new Reggio workshop with my four colleagues in Sofia.
Our mentors from Washington DC, Mara Bier and Fran Pfeffer, gave us their knowledge with incredible energy, wealth and enthusiasm day by day.
On our first day we went to the GAN BALAGAN Jewish kindergarten. We looked into a Friday morning and we could see how they prepare for the Shabbat. We talked to Beti Gershon, head of the kindergarten, about everyday practical and useful things. It was so nice to see my old friend!
We spent the Sabbath with Mara and Fran in our apartment. My favorite portable candlestick, what I bought in New York, gave the light of this special Sabbath. This night will be in my memories forever.
After a little repetition at the weekend workshop, we were able to deepen our understanding and knowledge of Reggio philosophy. Mara and Fran have made the substance of this approach more tangible and colorful with a wealth of personal stories and videos.
Thanks to Mara and Fran, we were given two extra opportunities to put up our inquiries and ask for help in our eventual jams. We deepened our knowledge of project work. We talked a lot about the realization of artistic activities, the way of provocation, the changed role of the environment and the teacher. These occasions helped us a lot and gave us the power to continue our learning process.
The last morning we visited the Sofia Synagogue. It is the largest synagogue in Southeastern Europe.
After that, we went to the Lauder School, where we were greeted warmly. Daria Malamed, our guide was very helpful and well-informed.
In the afternoon we tried to go up to the mountain Vitosha, but unfortunately, the elevator (lanovka) was out of order.
In the evening we had a fantastic dinner with Mara, Fran and Vanessa Cameron, who is my other old friend in Sofia.
For me, this journey was another milestone, and I was reaffirmed that we were on the right track, which is very long and winding, but is also incredibly exciting!
I hope the colleagues who came with me recharged their batteries and gathered more inspiration. After we got home, we will inspire and help those who couldn’t come with us, and continue our Reggio adventure together.
~ Szonja Merenyi, Director Lauder Javne Ovoda, Budapest, Hungary
