On March 11th, the Vocational High School of Light Industry and Tourism in Kazanlak, in collaboration with the Bulgarian literature professor and the geography professor, organized an alternative interdisciplinary and intercultural lesson. I had the pleasure of contributing to this project by giving a brief presentation about my city, Naples, and the reason for my presence in Bulgaria.

First of all, I introduced the students to the international mobility opportunities offered by the European Union, hoping to encourage them to participate in meaningful experiences that not only enrich them personally and professionally but also allow them to challenge themselves in unfamiliar situations, stepping out of their comfort zones and, consequently, growing.

One of my main goals was to introduce students to the historical and cultural riches of Naples. Unfortunately, Naples is often portrayed in the media in a negative light, often associated with public disorder or crime, which overshadows its true essence. I wanted to offer an alternative narrative, showcasing Naples’ fascinating history and art in an engaging way through a quiz format. This not only educated the students but also made the experience interactive and fun

During my presentation, I also had the opportunity to explore the connections between Italy and Bulgaria, highlighting the surprising similarities between Plovdiv and the Italian cities I had the chance to observe during my visit. This deepening opened the door for other students in the class to present on the artistic and literary points of contact between our countries.

I was particularly struck by the presence, in the vicinity of Kazanlak, of a musical instrument factory named after the Italian city of Cremona. The history of this factory is fascinating, and I can’t wait to learn more about it when I visit in person. The presentation of the students gave me some insights into Bulgarian authors, for example Pencho Slaveykov who spent his final years in Italy where he was inspired by its landscaopes and culture, influencing his philosophical poetry. Geo Milev was influenced by Italian Futurism, which shaped his avant-garde poetic style. Atanas Dalchev, fascinated by Renaissance art and architecture, often reflected Italian aesthetics in his poetry and essays. Beside culture and literature, another connection to explore is the one related to Caproni factory that in the 20^th century was a branch of Italian Caproni aircraft manufacturer. Caproni, nowadays, is the name of a factory which sells hydraulic components and systems of manufacturer.

The last part of the lesson took a gastronomic turn, one of the most significant aspects of culture. I had the pleasure of tasting some typical Bulgarian dishes, such as bread, the preparation of which deserves to be included in the UNESCO intangible heritage It was an especially delightful experience to try new foods, some of which I hadn’t yet tasted despite my six-month stay in Bulgaria. This reminded me of how slowly immersing oneself in a culture is the best way to truly understand it.

I’m grateful for the warm welcome and hospitality I received from both the students and the professors and also for introducing me to Bulgarian literature and art. From my side, I hope that my presentation has inspired the young people to delve deeper into Naples’ history and the opportunities available through the EU. I also hope to take part in future activities with such interdisciplinary format, as I believe it provides a unique and valuable learning experience for all involved.

Ylenia Majo