Day 3

An amazing crowd of people headed towards the Achill Cliff house to meet the group on the reception party. The Islanders entered the main room and could have a look at the lovely decorated tables with flags of the countries on the walls, and you really were able to smell foreign scents. We soon found ourselves in a deep conversation about life in Ireland, weather and sports. Our aim was to introduce people to the different countries and cultures as well as to attract local people to support our workshops. The Hungarian group, presented typical inventions like Rubik’s Cube and self-made Hungarian Scones. The Lithuanians also presented the results of their previous research on cultures.

The guests were not only able to try the food and see the decorations, but we also listened to some presentations of the nations. Anne Gründer made a short but amusing introduction. The Hungarian group sang folk songs, whereas Assja Tietz presented the booklet of the Germans that was created during the German preparational course. The local guests were so impressed that Sean Cannon could only praise the importance of the BI programme and its wonderful participants.

Even the journalist Anton got very interested in our exiting stories. After working on several interviews he stayed for a long time to enjoy the atmosphere and talk to everyone. The same was true for the other guests. So it was no surprise that many locals were also eager to participate in our workshops. Finally, everyone was pleased to have had such a nice reception. Afterwards we were all sure that this reception was a real success.

Sabine Rauh (Germany)

Following sequence was recorded by the Irish secret service on Monday the 9th of February 2009 Case 237/09: „suspicious young people asking questions“

...

Voice 1 (probably Kerstin): „...In fact it was quite funny. There were all these people in the party, having fun, chatting. I was just waiting for Mr. McNulty, the reporter who promised to visit us. I saw there was a young man called Anton...I stopped by because the reporter's name was Anton, too. But he was quite young and did not seem to be working on an article...he seemed to be there more just to have fun...“

Voice 2 (probably Reka): „So...did you find him in the end?“

Voice 1: „Indeed...but first I was asking around....everybody I could find...Making panic...I was disappointed because I thought he just won't come...Then I was talking to Mr. Johnston...a very nice man who broadcast the invitation to our party on his gaelic radio program...and I told him that I am still waiting for the reporter...and he said: Look, Anton is from the Mayo News...so...you should talk to him.“

Voice 2: „Really? So you just didn't get it that he was around all the time?“

Voice 1: „Embarrassig isn't it...? So I came over and asked him...and he was laughing because he had been at the party for 1 ½ hour...I said: Yeah, so you are an undercover reporter?“

Voice 2: „So what did he say?“

Voice 1: „He thought it was funny and he told me that it was a good opportunity to get to know the students without having written „reporter, be polite“ on the forehead.“

Voice 2is laughing

Voice 2: „Yes, I can imagine that people treat you differently if you are a VIP from the media.“

Voice 1: „Anton is a very nice man...and quite young. I think he liked it around us...and he will come next week to help us in our workshops...you know...press work.“

Voice 2: „Let's just hope he is not coming undercover again and then publishing an investigative report on us and the things we're doing.“

Voice 1 and 2 laugh and then leave the cottage

Kerstin Neugebauer (German group)

Next day