Writers' Corner #22

Living in a multicultural society takes time. It’s a long educational process.

(Jeresa Hren – Women’s Leadership Conference)

As everyone knows, a society can’t become multicultural in the blink of an eye. It’s simply impossible to get everybody on the same page about diversity and multiculturalism.

As such, the transformation to a multicultural society is a lengthy process. Some people might not agree with it at first and heavily oppose it, and this is mostly why it takes so long.

In order to solve this, all we need to do is educate these people about the benefits of diversity. If we do the educating part first and then the leaders of the society slowly implement policies to promote a more diverse society, it should, with time, culminate in an overall bigger acceptance of multiculturalism by the general population.

However, this transition doesn’t always happen smoothly. In fact, there are nearly always some sort of conflicts that happen between different ethnic groups, which is, of course, an undesirable scenario. Because of this, it’s vital that virtually 100% of the population agree on moving towards a diverse society since it is clear that we can’t build a multicultural society by pure brute force.

In conclusion, transitioning into a globalised society is a very long process that sometimes takes generations to happen due to the drastic changes it causes in people’s lifestyles.

Luís Pereira, 11ºF

Concurso Nacional de Leitura - Fase Municipal

É amanhã! Desejamos boa sorte a todos os participantes!

Writers' Corner #21

How important is music in your life?

In my opinion, music plays a very important role, not only in teens’ life but also amongst all generations. For me particularly, music is one of the most important things in my life.

My love for music started when I was a little girl. My dad (and later my sister) has always encouraged me to know a little about music - mostly rock -, not only for the pleasure of listening to it, but also because it’s really important to have some general knowledge. Music is so important for us that one of the family traditions is to go to concerts together – me, my mom, my dad and my sister. Music is also present in my hobby, which is playing the drums.

In conclusion, I think we should all enjoy the great things that music gives us.

                                                                                                               

 Mariana Costa, 10ºK

O Livro do Mês #5

O Japão é um Lugar Estranho é a história da viagem do escritor Peter Carey a Tóquio, com o seu filho, Charley. Com doze anos de idade e apaixonado por manga, Charley anuncia ao pai que quando for grande vai viver na capital japonesa. Partem então os dois em busca de autores famosos de livros de manga – a banda desenhada emblemática do Japão, com personagens de enormes olhos redondos e expressividade exagerada – e dos mais importantes estúdios e criadores de anime – os desenhos animados originados em obras de manga (e vice versa). Pelo caminho, percebe-se que estamos todos “Enganados acerca do Japão” – e é esse o título original do livro (Wrong about Japan): nada é o que parece, o estrangeiro mal consegue aflorar a superfície desta cultura hermética regida por regras rigorosas que determinam tudo, do modo de fazer o chá à profundidade das vénias. A cada interpretação, o “estranho” percebe que nada percebe do Japão. Do primeiro ao último dia. À espera da imagem tradicional de quimonos e templos budistas (que também existe, mas sob a forma de ilhas), o encontro com Tóquio é o choque cultural com uma modernidade ordenada e tão característica que permite aos seus habitantes viverem como personagens de manga ao fim de semana. Encontramos anjos e demónios, mulheres vestidas como miúdas e homens como bichos fofinhos.  Porque durante a semana, a vida não se parece muito com a manga colorida e movimentada dos livros.

Writers' Corner #20

Living in a multicultural society takes time. It’s a long educational process.

  (Jeresa Hren – Women’s Leadership Conference)

Nowadays emigration has become a necessity for those who hope for a better future,  so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that multicultural cities have arisen.

Living among various cultures and having the ability to fit in is a skill that takes time to achieve. To the more experienced traveller, whose life has been spent wandering every corner of our planet, infiltrating in such a society isn’t a problem, but to the inexperieced traveller whose sole contact with other cultures occurred through hotel check-ins or airport passport-controls, it can be quite hard to accept the concept of multiculturalism. Issues such as racism, xenophobia and other types of discrimination have always persisted and will always persist due to the existence of narrow-minded people but, surprisingly, “the digital natives” era came to help reduce the quantity of such individuals as it is, in fact, through apps like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram that people are able to connect to the world and, thus, gain more knowledge in regard to cultural diversity.

Overall, learning to live and interact with people from different backgrounds is an impressive feat that takes time. Even though it might be a slow and tedious process, it is definitely worth it as, in the end, one will not only acquire the ability to live anywhere and get along with the different races, but will also become more familiarized with the world outside the safety of home.

Denise Pinheiro, 11º F

Writers' Corner # 19

How important is music in your life?

Music is very important for people of all ages, but especially for teens. It can help us get through the changes that we can’t control and our daily problems.

In my case, music helps me relax before a test and control my anxiety. It’s also very helpful when I’m studying because it helps me stay focused and memorize things.   

Besides all the help in my school life, I also use music to express myself and to make me feel better whenever I have a really bad day.

Finally, I also use music as an “icebreaker”, for example, when I meet someone new, music is always a good conversation topic, and it avoids all the awkward moments.

In conclusion, I think that music is truly important, not just for me, but for all people around the world, no matter their age.

Maria Figueiredo, 10º K

O Livro do Mês #4

Markus Zusak, A Rapariga que roubava Livros

Quando a morte nos conta uma história temos todo o interesse em escutá-la. Assumindo o papel de narrador em A Rapariga Que Roubava Livros, vamos ao seu encontro na Alemanha, por ocasião da segunda guerra mundial, onde ela tem uma função muito ativa na recolha de almas vítimas do conflito. E é por esta altura que se cruza pela segunda vez com Liesel, uma menina de nove anos de idade, entregue para adoção, que já tinha passado pelos olhos da morte no funeral do seu pequeno irmão. Foi aí que Liesel roubou o seu primeiro livro, o primeiro de muitos pelos quais se apaixonará e que a ajudarão a superar as dificuldades da vida, dando um sentido à sua existência. Quando o roubou ainda não sabia ler, será com a ajuda do seu pai, um perfeito intérprete de acordeão que passará a saber percorrer o caminho das letras, exorcizando fantasmas do passado. Ao longo dos anos, Liesel continuará a dedicar-se à prática de roubar livros e a encontrar-se com a morte, que irá sempre utilizar um registo pouco sentimental embora humano e poético, atraindo a atenção de quem a lê para cada frase, cada sentido, cada palavra. 
Um livro soberbo que prima pela originalidade e que nos devolve um outro olhar sobre os dias da guerra no coração da Alemanha e acima de tudo pelo amor à literatura.