written by Adriana Ioana Bârcean

teacher of Culture and English civilization & Theater at Deva Children's Palace, Orăștie branch

French teacher at the "Aurel Vlaicu" Theoretical High School in Orăștie

This is an absolutely natural question when you talk about aspects that are not related to teaching and the didactic act, in general. But education is about learning and learning is not only done in the formal setting of educational institutions. Learning is of many types and the coming generations find it much easier to learn experientially, by doing and not just by learning, on a cognitive level. In fact, this is how we all learn better and remembering becomes experience.

The beginning of winter found me in Costești, at the Lupul Dacic Guesthouse, learning new things together with well-known people of the area. Alone in the field of education, I learned together with these wonderful fellow learners and Caroline and Leo (and then the team from MET who joined) about how we promote local heritage values ​​and last but not least, UNESCO heritage values .

I remember Leo and a picture of him that he projected for us in the workshop – a photo in which he was in Orăștie at an intersection where there were 3 signs to UNESCO heritage sites. Yes, in Orăștie! I also relive this image, often passing through that intersection on my way to school.

I didn't know much about Sarmizegetusa until then. I only knew that it was a place where students go on vacations or with the school, on thematic trips.

I then learned, from the visit to the site with the group, during the workshop, that things are much more complex and that you have to look for the information and pass it on, especially if you are a teacher.

I discovered from the archaeologist teachers in the area that there are students from the "Aurel Vlaicu" Theoretical High School who, in the hot summers, stay and help the experts in the sites, also contributing to the great discoveries... Thus, I learned about Tudor from XII- of B (recommended by the archaeologist teacher of the site to turn to the profession of archaeologist because "he has a fine hand and documents like an expert"), by Nicolae from the XIth A or by Mimi, from the IX. Teenagers whose curiosity leads to extraordinary discoveries. Day by day, waiting, to reveal even more of the site that always surprises us with its richness.

This workshop was a real context for creating friendships and discovering resource people to bring you closer to the truth of places.