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Until recently, people generally associated learning with the education they received at school and university. Today, Europe is undergoing a major transformation to become a world-leading knowledge based society. This means that knowledge, and the innovation it sparks, are the EU's most valuable assets. The life-long Learning Programme (LLP) supports individuals at all stages of their lives to pursue stimulation opportunities for learning across Europe.

Cyrenians Cymru, a charity supporting socially excluded adults in Swansea, South Wales, UK, received European Funding through the Grundtvig Lifelong Learning programme. This funding allows us to work with learning facilities in four other European countries - Denmark, Spain, Czech Republic and Turkey - offering exchange visits for learners to the respective countries to share multicultural Fire Traditions. The main objective of the partnership is to introduce adult learners to the different ways in which fire is used to celebrate events in different countries, and encourage participation in creative and traditional activities.
 

DENMARK 2009

Some pictures from the 2009 Fire Festival hosted by Denmark in June.

 

More information soon...

Above members of the Cyrenians Delegation who attended the Festival.
L-R Back row: David Colclough (service user) Craig Williams (Staff) Matt Booth (Service User) Nicola Kelly (Photography teacher). Front row: Lisa Llewellyn (staff)

Above, the burning of the Witch and bombfire.
 
Above the Danish Host giving a demonstation of their folk dancing.
 
Above: Member from the different European contries involved in the Festival of Fire.

WALES 2008
Above: The Lantern Parade

Above Delegates from the different countries at Dragon Arts Centre, Swansea.

The first stage of the European Fire Celebrations trans-national preject was a huge success, with Cyrenians hosting the Welsh visit in the week of 3rd November 2008. Partners from Tuejar (Spain), Izmir (Turkey) and Aalborg (Denmark) arrived to participate with staff amd members of the Dragon Arts and Learning Centre in cultural activities and workshops for the traditional bonfire night celebrations. In order tointroduce our European partners to traditional Welsh customs, Cyrenians staff hosted a beautifully prepared evening of Welsh food. With many thanks to chef Craig Williams (who is the chef at the Cyrenians Community Centre) along with the kitchen staff. This was a three course meal followed by music and entertainment provided by each partner country. Pottery and lantern-making workshops were also throughout the week, in participants created a two metre tall, amazing Guy Fawkes made from willow, bamboo and tissue.

Above: Delagates from the different countries with some Cyrenians' staff at the Community Centre in Swansea, Wales, UK.

 

Below picture of Guy Fawkes and his ultimate and traditional end and the participants carrying a lanter.
Mike Mullins is inside the giant Guy Fawks.
Above Matt Botth carrying a lantern
Belows photos taken on the night.
It is hoped Mike Mullins was not consumed in the flames also.

The amazing sight of Fire Juggling
An atmospheric image of the celebrations