From February 9–13, 2026, seven students from our school, accompanied by their teachers Viktorija and Eligija, participated in the Erasmus+ project CREATE visit in Algemesí, Spain. This week was not only a great opportunity to develop intercultural, entrepreneurial, and creative competencies, but also to gain a deeper understanding of Spanish and Valencian culture, traditions, and the education system.
On the first day of the visit, we were warmly welcomed by the large community of IES Bernat Guinovart school. We became familiar with the school’s daily life, educational process, and learning environments. We took part in creative and educational activities – making masks and trying to build the traditional Valencian human tower “Muixeranga.” This unique local tradition symbolizes community spirit, mutual trust, and physical endurance. Later, we explored the surroundings of Algemesí, admired the architecture, and learned about local businesses that promote sustainability.
On the second day, we visited the city of Cullera. We admired the panoramic view from the top of the hill, wandered through the narrow streets of the old town, and enjoyed the sunny beach. Later, we visited the “Las Fallas” Museum and learned more about the famous Valencian festival Las Fallas, which has similarities to the Lithuanian celebration of Užgavėnės. For lunch, we tasted the traditional Spanish dish paella, and we ended the day by sailing through the canals of a highly saline lake. In the evening, we enjoyed a cozy program featuring students’ dance performances and pizza.
The third day of the project was dedicated to exploring the old town of Valencia – one of the oldest and most impressive historical centers in Spain. Walking through its charming streets, we admired the architecture, explored the city’s history and cultural heritage, and for a moment felt like true residents of this vibrant city.
On the fourth day, we spent time in windy Valencia, where we visited the impressive architectural complex Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (City of Arts and Sciences), built on the drained riverbed of the Turia River. We explored both the interior and exterior spaces of the complex, including its concert halls, and participated in an engaging educational session about dinosaurs, their evolution, and fossils. In the afternoon, we visited the Festivals Museum in Algemesí, where we deepened our knowledge about the most important traditional festivals of Spain and the Valencian region, their customs, and distinctive features.
On the fifth and final day of the visit, the students had a particularly responsible task. Together with partner teams from other countries, we presented three business plans we had developed ourselves, based on ecological ideas. In total, 18 different eco-company business plans from six participating countries were presented. Our school’s students introduced ideas about developing a sustainable school concept, creating an eco-friendly detergent, and launching a forest replanting initiative. We are proud that the business plan created by Ieva and Elena was recognized as the best and won first place.
At the end of the day, a closing evening event titled “Movies” took place, during which participants dressed up as different characters. Our school team chose to become characters from the movie Kung Fu Panda and won the award for Best Costume nomination.
It was a fast-paced and windy, yet unforgettable week full of impressions, new knowledge, and friendships. We sincerely thank the team of IES Bernat Guinovart school for the excellent organization, warm hospitality, and friendly cooperation. See you at the next stage of the project – in Italy!
