Portuguese lessons

Olá!
It's been nearly five months since we started the Portuguese lessons. So, it's time for the brave students who have decided to learn this language to speak and say what they think about it:

María, Spanish:

Why did you want to learn Portuguese in the first place?
I have always wanted to learn Portuguese because it is very similar to Spanish, and I thought it would be funnier learning this language than languages such as English, French or German that you have to learn by obligation. In addition, there is a significant percentage of people whose mother tongue is Portuguese (Brazil is a huge country), and there are a lot of Portuguese in Luxembourg, so it's useful in this tiny country.

Is it easier or harder than you had thought?
In fact, a lot of words and expressions are very similar in Spanish. This can be an advantage, but also and disadvantage, because you can make mistakes in the spelling and the pronunciation.

From all the words you've learned so far, what are your favourite three?
"Casaco", "magro", "menina/menino".

What sentence would like to teach the readers of our blog?
"A Regina é uma professora inteligente e trabalhadora".
 
Mateja, Croatian:

Why did you want to learn Portuguese in the first place?
I started loving Portuguese when I started listening to Portuguese and Brazilian music, which was way back. They are wonderful, both music and the language. Besides that, mastering all Romance languages is part of my bucket list.

Is it easier or harder than you had thought?
For the above mentioned reasons, it is both hard and difficult at the same time. It is much easier to understand it than to speak it properly without confusing it with Italian or Spanish.

From all the words you've learned so far, what are your favourite three?
"Rabo", "fixe", "beijinhos".

What word would like to teach the readers of our blog?
"Saudade".



Yota, Greek:

Why did you want to learn Portuguese in the first place?
Easy to learn because of Spanish.

Is it easier or harder than you had thought?
The pronunciation is hard.

From all the words you've learned so far, what are your favourite three?
"Gira", "menina", "rabo".

What would you like to tell the readers of our blog?
Follow our examples and start learning languages!

Zrna, Croation:

Obrigada, meninas lindas, altas e magras!
A professora,
Regina

Congratulations to Mateja and Danai!

We have just learned that Mateja and Danai will be the new liaison trainees for the March session!

Mateja has performed a fantastic job in the Communications and Food& Wine SCs, and we are sure she is going to try to make easier the adaptation period of the trainees.

Danai has proven her organization skills being part of the Trips SC and she perfectly knows the region.

Best of luck girls in this new challenge!

Trip to Schengen and Remich!

For the last day-trip that the Trips SC organises, let’s go to the south of Luxembourg and visit its wine region on the valley of the river Moselle next Saturday, 31st January 2015.

Let’s start the day in Schengen.
“The name Schengen is inextricably linked to peace and freedom in Europe, as it was in this small wine-growing village on the River Moselle that an important chapter in European history was written in 1985. Signed onboard the MS Princesse Marie-Astrid, the Schengen Agreement was the first step towards the disappearance of borders in Europe. It also put Schengen on the map. Schengen was chosen because of its ideal location in the Three-Border-Region. It's here where the three Benelux countries meet Germany and France. The abolition of controls at the internal frontiers consolidated the Member States of the Schengen Area. Now the Schengen Area counts 26 Member-States and the Agreement allows over 400 million Europeans travelling without barriers.”
More at http://www.visitluxembourg.com/en/moselle/schengen

In Schengen we cannot miss the European Museum:
“Located within the European Centre, the European Museum Schengen was inaugurated on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Schengen Agreement. This interactive museum retraces the development of Europe in nine chapters, while providing background information on the famous treaty. It is open from 11:00 to 17:00 and admission is free. “
More at http://www.visitluxembourg.com/en/moselle/schengen

Picture source: http://www.visitluxembourg.com/en/place/misc/monument-schengen-agreement

And then grab lunch and discover the town of Remich
Known as the pearl of Moselle, Remich is a popular site where “people love to stroll along the shady esplanade or through the narrow lanes and squares of the charming town centre, attracted by the gourmet restaurants and the quaint little shops. The marking feature of Remich’s main church is its 12th century tower built on the remains of a Roman watchtower. The St. Nicolas-Gate was part of a medieval fortification that was torn down in 1867.”
More at: http://visitmoselle.lu/en/remich

We can end the day by visiting a wine cave and trying true Luxembourgish wines (to be confirmed – unfortunately there are many caves that are not opened for visitors during winter, but we’ll try our best ;))
“Luxembourg wine is primarily produced in the southeastern part of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, with vineyards overlooking the Moselle River. Along this river, which for 42 km makes up part of the border between Luxembourg and Germany, wine is made in three countries. There is a continuous history of winemaking along Moselle and in Luxembourg going back to Ancient Roman times. Luxembourg mainly produces dry white wines and sparkling wine under the designation Crémant. There are also some rosé and red wines made, as well as some sweet wines.”
More info at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxembourg_wine

Picture source: http://www.visitluxembourg.com/en/moselle/remich

Transport:
To go to Schengen:
Let’s meet at the Gare at 10:00.
Take the bus 175 at 10.10 from Gare Centrale to Mondorf, Christophorus (arrives at 10.35)
At 10.40 we take the bus 185 from Mondorf, Christophorus to Schengen, Koerech (third stop in Schengen, opposite Total gas station), arriving at 10.55

To go to Remich:
Take the bus 185, runs every hour at -54min

To go back to Luxembourg:
Take the bus 175, runs every 30 min, at -14min and -44min.


Hope to see you all there!

Photo shoot (and chocolate)

Your Communication SC would like to invite you to a very special photo shoot for our Who's Who Book.

We propose that we all meet in the centre, go for a walk around the city, do the photos in different locations and then proceed together to the Chocolate House.

Hope to see you there and don't forget to make your teeth shine :)

Come to roll some balls!

The Stage and the Party SCs have prepared a session of Bowling this Thursday 22 January at 20h in CK Bowling (20, rue de Bettembourg, 1899 Kockelscheuer)

They have reserved four lanes.

Price per game: 4€
Renting shoes: 1.5€

Expected number of participants: 25
Expected fractures: not many
Expected amount of fun: significant
Expected skills & knowledge: Big Lebowski
...
How to get there:
Take bus #18 (runs every 10min, e.g. from Hamilius) to the bus stop Kockelscheuer, Camping), then walk for few minutes. If lost scream in agony or call Pavel's number.

Looking forward to see you on Thursday!

Exhibitions for all tastes!

New year and new cultural events in Luxembourg!

The Culture SC recommends the following exhibitions:

RESOLUTE – DESIGN CHANGES
WHAT: Graphic design, including "various media (posters, signage and multimedia) and visual identities to serve causes and the community".
WHERE: Casino Luxembourg – Forum d'Art Contemporain.
WHEN: 24/01 – 19/04.
(Free entrance on Thursdays 18.00 – 20.00)
www.casino-luxembourg.lu

Picture source: http://www.casino-luxembourg.lu/fr/Expositions/Resolute-Design-Changes

ADAM MARTINAKIS
WHAT: Digital art. "3D simulations of characters made out of various materials, with fragmented bodies that seem to meld in with the spaces that they occupy".
WHERE: CULTUREINSIDE gallery
WHEN: until 31/01.
www.ci-artgallery.com

Picture source:
http://www.cultureinside.com/en/art-gallery-luxembourg.aspx

LAUREN LULOFF
WHAT: Painting. "The work of Lauren Luloff goes beyond painting in terms of technique and use of materials and makes inventive use of pieces of fabric that she glues, recycles, sews…"
WHERE: Galerie Bernard Ceysson.
WHEN: Until 14/02.
Free entrance!
www.bernardceysson.com

Picture source: http://hortongallery.com/exhibition/5/oculus-imaginationis/works

7 TAGE
WHAT: A contemporary art video installation with "seven videos corresponding to the number of days in the week (…). The fragmentation of the narrative principle is a result of the video being projected in a triple loop (…). The effect is both hypnotising and magnetic!"
WHERE: Casino Luxembourg – Forum d'Art Contemporain.
WHEN: Until 03/05.
Free entrance Thursdays 18.00 – 20.00!
www.casino-luxembourg.lu

COLLECTION DE LA VILLE DE LUXEMBOURG
WHAT: A selection of contemporary art.
WHERE: Cercle Cité.
WHEN: Until 08/02.
Free entrance!
www.cerclecite.lu

PHOTO EXHIBITION Bitter oranges
WHAT: "The exhibition Bitter oranges exposes the terrible social reality of the citrus harvest in Calabria. Seasonal workers from Africa are hired and offered miserable pay and undignified working conditions. Carole Reckinger's photos and the accompanying research by anthropologists Diana Reiners and Gilles Reckinger denounce a modern form of slavery and exploitation that is common in our capitalist societies."
WHERE: Abbaye de Neumünster
WHEN: Until 25/01
Free entrance!
www.neimenster.lu

Don't miss them!

Enjoy your time in Brussels

Our last trip in 2014 will be Brussels. The European Commission has organised an official visit to the European institutions in Brussels. We have the opportunity to visit the Council, the Commission, the Parliament, the Committee of the Regions, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Parlamentarium. But Brussels is not only the capital of Europe, the city offers its visitors plenty of activities to spend a lovely time.

As the majority of us are going to spend also the weekend in Brussels, we have some suggestions so you can make the most of your stay!

Christmas market
Brussels has a huge Christmas market with approximately 230 chalets situated in the Grand Place and around the Bourse, the Place de la Monnaie, the Place Sainte-Catherine and the Marché aux Poissons. Don't leave Brussels without drinking a hot chocolate or mulled wine! In addition, the Christmas market offers an ice rink for skating and a light show on the Grand-Place every day.
More information on: http://www.brussels.be/artdet.cfm?id=4843&agendaid=59

Place du Luxembourg
This place is the meeting point of the crowd living in Brussels on Thursday evening after work. It’s also the perfect occasion for networking opportunities. One of the bars of the zone (Ralph’s Bar) has “happy hour” from 18 to 19.

Where to eat?
As Brussels is a multicultural city, its gastronomic offer is also very varied.
You can taste the typical Belgian dishes as the vol au vent, carbonnades flamandes, chicons au gratin in Mokafé, a typical taverne bruxellois. The prices are affordable and it is also worth to try their delicious desserts.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g188644-d1625626-Reviews-Mokafe-Brussels.html

In Saint -Gery, you can find a wide range of Asian restaurants. If you prefer the Portuguese food, Flagey is your best option. Restaurants as Caramulo, Portugal or O’Braga offer typical Portuguese dishes. In this place, you can also eat the typical Portuguese sandwich – bifana. If you have time, you have to have a coffee and a pastel de nata (the typical Portuguese custard pie) in Pasteleria Garcia.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g188644-d4035798-Reviews-Pastelaria_Garcia-Brussels.html

Where to go out?

City –center
- Place Saint-Gery: This place is always full of people and there are very nice pubs.
- Delirium: An obligatory visit for tourists in Brussels. The pub has more than 3000 different beers. http://deliriumcafe.be/
- Moeder Lambic: An ideal place to taste the traditional Belgian beer, as well as a wide range of Belgian cheeses. If you have doubts about your choice, ask the waiters! They are there to help you! http://www.moederlambic.com/
- Cabraliego: It is not the most beautiful bar ever, but the prices are very cheap. Beers for 1 euro, a bottle of cider for 4 euros and long drinks for 3 euros. You can also eat the typical Spanish dishes (Raciones). It’s only open on Friday and Saturday! http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g188644-d2413488-Reviews-Centro_Cabraliego-Brussels.html

Place Flagey
- Café Belga: Large, lively café/bar with what looks like its original 1930s art deco details intact in the interesting jazz age Flagey building next to the Ixelles ponds. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g188644-d1023649-Reviews-Cafe_Belga-Brussels.html
- Bar du Marché: Happy hour from midnight to 1 am! 2 cocktails for the price of one. http://lebardumarche.tumblr.com/

Ixelles Cemetery
The neighbourhood of the university students, with a lot of restaurants and cafés. In “El Café”, there is happy hour every day from 19 to 21, and you can taste the Mexican food. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1136493-d3848121-Reviews-El_Cafe-Ixelles_Brussels.html