The final online meeting for the bilateral eTwinning project "Bookfest 2026" - 15/06/2026

On June 15, 2026, the final online meeting for the bilateral eTwinning project "Bookfest 2026" was convened. The session marked the formal conclusion of the 2025–2026 academic chapter of collaboration between two participating institutions: Liceul Teoretic "Radu Vlădescu" Pătârlagele, Romania, and Liceul Teoretic "Mihai Eminescu", Florești, the Republic of Moldova.

The meeting followed a structured four-part agenda designed to review the project's lifecycle and fulfill its administrative and pedagogical requirements. The items included a project review and highlights session, an overview of key achievements, an analysis of the final evaluation and feedback, and a briefing on the eTwinning National Quality Label application process.

During the initial segment, the project coordinators reviewed the chronological implementation of the project activities, which spanned from September 2025 to June 2026. The documented timeline began in September and October 2025 with goal-setting sessions conducted via Google Meet and Google Forms, followed by student introductions on Padlet executed under GDPR and eSafety guidelines. In November 2025, the activities focused on digital communication as the participating students compiled a bilingual repository of book reviews on Digipad. Between December 2025 and February 2026, the project participants engaged in a multimedia competition centered on favourite authors and a collaborative Canva workshop to design digital promotional posters on the benefits of reading. The most successful outcome of the project - the bilingual digital book aggregating student contributions - was compiled and published on Calaméo in March 2026.

The third agenda item focused on the data compiled during the project's designated evaluation phase in April and May 2026. This assessment relied on data from online student surveys and peer feedback loops to quantify the project's impact on the students' skill improvement and personal development.

The online meeting concluded with an administrative briefing on the requirements necessary to apply for the eTwinning National Quality Label. The coordinators outlined the specific documentation to be organized in the project TwinSpace, including platform activity logs, collaborative digital products, multimedia contest submissions, and initial and final survey reports. Additionally, the dissemination criteria were reviewed, requiring verified evidence of project visibility through school websites, electronic magazines, and social media. Finally, the deadlines for submission on the European School Education Platform were noted as July 12 for Romania and August 1 for the Republic of Moldova.

Looking ahead to the upcoming academic cycle, the meeting concluded with a unanimous agreement among all the participating educators to extend their bilateral cooperation into a new initiative titled Bookfest 2027. The collective decision to renew the partnership was driven by the quantifiable success of the 2026 project cycle, which demonstrated high levels of student engagement and measurable growth in cross-border digital and linguistic competencies. The teachers from both institutions highlighted that the strong collaborative synergy established between Liceul Teoretic "Radu Vlădescu" and Liceul Teoretic "Mihai Eminescu" provides a reliable and effective framework for future joint endeavors. By committing to Bookfest 2027, the educators aim to sustain this momentum, expand their transdisciplinary curriculum, introduce advanced collaborative digital tools, and further embed a shared culture of literacy and critical thinking across both school communities.

"The Questions on the Wall" - a school play performed by the theatre group "Act and Impact" from Liceul Teoretic „Radu Vlădescu” on the stage of the third edition of the festival "The World Is a Stage" (01/06/2026)

Drama festivals offer students far more than an opportunity to perform on stage. They create authentic learning experiences that foster personal growth, critical thinking, communication skills, and emotional development. The participation of the 10th-grade students in the drama festival The World Is a Stage 2026 with the play The Questions on the Wall represented a valuable educational journey that extended well beyond their artistic performance.

The play explored a profound and relevant theme for adolescents: the search for meaning and purpose in life. Through a classroom-based dialogue, the characters reflected on questions related to identity, success, personal values, honesty, resilience, and social responsibility. Such themes are particularly significant for teenagers who are navigating important educational and personal decisions. By engaging with these ideas through dramatic interpretation, the students were encouraged to reflect on their own aspirations, fears, and beliefs.

From a methodological perspective, drama-based learning promotes active participation and experiential education. Students do not simply memorize lines; they analyze characters, interpret emotions, and understand different perspectives. During the preparation of The Questions on the Wall, the twelve participants developed critical thinking skills as they examined the motivations and viewpoints expressed by each character. The original script invited them to consider complex questions without offering simple answers, encouraging intellectual curiosity and independent reflection.

Another major benefit was the improvement of communication skills. Theatre requires clear pronunciation, effective body language, active listening, and confident public speaking. Throughout rehearsals, the students learned how to express ideas convincingly, adapt their voices to different situations, and collaborate to create a coherent performance. These competencies are transferable to academic presentations, debates, interviews, and future professional contexts.

The collaborative nature of theatre also strengthened social and interpersonal skills. Successful performances depend on teamwork, trust, and mutual support. The students learned to respect deadlines, accept constructive feedback, and contribute to a shared goal. The experience fostered a sense of belonging and encouraged positive relationships among classmates. Working together toward a public performance helped build confidence and collective responsibility.

Our participation in the festival additionally supported emotional development. Many of the characters in The Questions on the Wall expressed uncertainties and concerns commonly experienced by adolescents. By portraying these emotions on stage, the students developed empathy and emotional awareness. Theatre provided a safe environment in which they could explore personal challenges, understand the experiences of others, and build resilience.

The festival The World Is a Stage 2026 further enriched the learning experience of the students as they had the unique opportunity to present their work to a wider audience and to appreciate the creativity of the other participants from different educational backgrounds. Such encounters promote understanding, tolerance, and openness - three essential competences in today's interconnected world.

Ultimately, the participation of the 10th-grade students in the 2026 edition of the festival The World Is a Stage demonstrated the transformative power of educational theatre. Through The Questions on the Wall, the students became not only performers, but also reflective learners, communicators, collaborators, and responsible young citizens. The experience confirmed that drama is a powerful pedagogical tool capable of connecting academic learning with personal development, helping students discover their voices while preparing them for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

The success of our participation in the third edition of the Drama Festival The World Is a Stage would not have been possible without the support and dedication of many people. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the festival organizers for creating an inspiring platform where young people could share their creativity, develop their talents, and learn from one another. 

Our heartfelt thanks also go to the sponsors and partners whose generosity helped make this valuable educational experience possible. We are also especially grateful to the parents for their constant encouragement, trust, and support throughout the preparation process. Their involvement and enthusiasm motivated our students to give their very best. 

Finally, from all our hearts, we thank the Buzău county School Inspectorate representatives and all the members of the school communities in the Buzău Valley who contributed their time, effort, and expertise. Together, we helped transform this educational project into a meaningful learning experience that our students will remember for years to come.