Culture Days

When I went through the timetable to choose the presentations which I’m going to watch I discovered so many interesting topics so I was spoilt for choice. However, I tried to watch as many presentations as I could and finally I have been to about 13.

Here are the three American presentations I went to see:

American high school & its reputation in Austria

This topic was about the structure and function of high schools in America. The girl who gave this presentation has spent some time in an American high school; therefore she was able to talk about her own experiences. This gave her presentation a very authentic and individual touch. The presenter also talked about the situation of teachers and students and their relationship to each other.

The role of pirates in American history

The presentation related to the situation and development of pirates in America. The girl that was presenting also talked about the distribution of the pirates and how it was possible that they gain a huge power in American history.

Reality TV - Jersey shore and beyond

A girl named Manuela held this presentation. It was about the influence of reality TV and why they are so famous these days. Manuela presented us everything in a very entertaining way and showed us a sequence of a video of “Jersey Shore”.

And here are seven out of a number of Irish presentations I have been to:

The impact of global warming on Ireland’s agriculture

Christian was holding this presentation of the effects that global warming will have and how the Irish farmers will try to cope with it. He named a lot of surprising and shocking facts and presented also solutions to prevent significant losses of agricultural products.

Ireland vs. Austria - Whiskey Distilleries - Challenge accepted!

The presenter’s name was Verena and for her culture essay she compared two whiskey distilleries: one in Ireland and on in Austria (Styria). Verna went on with telling us something about their history and why both of the distilleries are so successful.

The following five presentations are the ones I have chosen to be tested on in my KGP:

1. Ireland’s St. Magdalene Asylums and its Survivors

This shocking presentation was held by Teresa. The St. Magdalene asylums were slave labour laundries which existed until the late 20^th century.

I picked this topic because it is a part in the Irish history that far too few people outside Ireland know about, me included, before I heard this presentation. In my opinion it is import to know about this big suffering of the women of these asylums and the fact that there were these crimes against the women for a long time and everyone accepted it.

2. The Irish Claddagh Ring – A Celtic Symbol

The first time I read of this very special ring was in a book by Cecelia Ahern, the Irish authoress. I got curious about this ring and so I surfed the Internet. The idea of the symbolic meaning (the hands represent friendship; the heart represents love; and the crown represents loyalty) is so special to me. And it’s not just about the look of the ring but there are also several meanings concerning the way you wear it.

3. Animal Symbolism in Irish Mythology

When I think of Ireland, mystical stories with fairies, witches, goblins and dwarfs come to my mind. In these mythologies animals play a very big role and they are attributed various meanings. For me animal symbolism is so popular, because people like the fact that they are able to immediately realise if somebody is good or evil. Crow? Evil. Deer? Good and helpless. You can’t apply this to human beings.

4. Appreciating Life – Donal Walsh’s Fight against Suicide in Ireland

The story of this young boy from Ireland who suffered two times from cancer is very touching. I have never heard of such an impressive person before – and that is exactly why I chose this topic. The boy fought against suicide in Ireland when he was in terminal condition. Donal Walsh had a great personality and is definitely the most selfless person in the world.

5. Transition Year – working towards maturity

After Carmen had finished the first sentences of her presentation, I felt in love with this topic immediately. Transition year is an optional one-year school programme only available in Ireland. It can be taken by students after the Junior Cycle. The programme gives students a valuable opportunity to engage in a wide variety of interesting, diverse, and challenging areas of their subjects which do not normally make the curriculum.