Six outstanding students from our school have returned from Bulgaria with fantastic, lifelong memories, accompanied by Mr. Áron Bognár and Ms. Rita Benkovics!

Thanks to the twin-town partnership established by the Kispest Municipality, we were able to spend a full week in the stunning city of Smolyan.

The boundless hospitality of the Bulgarian hosts, the meticulously organized programs, and the shared memories with the Turkish group we met there will stay with us forever. We enjoyed excellent care and wonderful hospitality at the Youth Center where we stayed.

Culture, Adventure, and Diplomacy
During our official visit, we were welcomed with great joy and warmth by the Mayor of Smolyan, Nikolay Melemov, and his dedicated team. Beyond the formal proceedings, a host of ice-breaker games and team-building activities brought us even closer to our Bulgarian and Turkish friends. Through an exciting 14-task city quest, we gained a thorough understanding of Smolyan itself, while also exploring the local Historical Museum, the Art Gallery, and the Planetarium.

Natural Wonders and a Taste of the Seaside
We were simply captivated by the natural beauty of the area! Uhlovitsa Cave was breathtakingly beautiful, and the unique medieval manor in the village of Mogilitsa offered an unforgettable sight. We also visited the village of Gudevica, where we took part in creative workshops as guests of an Erasmus+ camp. We spent the afternoon playing and getting to know young people from various countries, and afterwards, we shared a meal of homemade dishes together. Mid-week, we even made a trip to the Greek coast; although the journey was long, the crystal-clear, refreshing waters of Paralia made every kilometer worth it!

International Success and the Hungarian Csárdás
The highlight of the program was the International Evening, where our students gave an outstanding performance! We began by introducing our school with a slideshow, followed by an interactive Kahoot game to test whether the Turkish or Bulgarian students had been paying closer attention. We rewarded the enthusiastic participants with delicious Hungarian sweets. Next, we sang the folk song "Házasodik a tücsök..." ("The Cricket Is Getting Married") in a round, teaching the first verse to the visiting students as well! The presentation concluded with a spirited *csárdás* performance and a group Hungarian dance session. We also thoroughly enjoyed the traditional dance performances by the Turkish and Bulgarian teams, as well as the short films showcasing their respective countries.

Off-roading and Meeting Santa
On the day before our return journey, we explored the village of Momchilovtsi. After visiting the Museum of Magic and the local History Museum, we went on a thrilling, adrenaline-filled off-road tour that the kids absolutely loved! We got to taste traditional dairy products made by a young local couple, and finally, we visited "Santa Claus," where we even had the chance to pet a reindeer.

Using a foreign language: As a language teacher, it was a particularly rewarding experience to see and hear students boldly using the foreign language, confidently initiating conversations, and easily connecting with young people from other countries. In moments like these, linguistic and cultural barriers truly disappear.

I believe the true goal of our work is precisely this: to empower students to speak up, communicate, and approach others with openness. A mobility or sister-city program offers an excellent opportunity for this, as students can apply the knowledge they have gained in real-life situations while further developing their self-confidence and communication skills.

We are deeply grateful to the Kispest Municipality for this unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience!
We are proud that such fantastic and active twin-town relationships provide opportunities for Kispest students to travel and grow!

Rita Benkovics
Kispesti Erkel