Children and parents praise Romanian classes in Jersey
Stefan, eight, has been attending the classes since they began and said he had learnt more about the country's heritage.He said: "I don't think I've ever missed one of the classes... I think it's important that I learn Romanian."I can talk with my loved ones back in Romania because, when I started, I didn't know that much of the language. Now I can speak really well."
Miruna, 13, is from Romania but grew up in Jersey, and said she felt the classes had helped her settle into the island.She said: "I feel like I'm more at home... I feel it's good to communicate with friends and to keep traditions as well."I've been doing this since the beginning and I feel like I'm doing really well understanding Romanian more."
Georgiana Lombada's son and daughter attend classes and she said she had been impressed by how they had helped them.She said it was "important for them to keep speaking our language" and "coming here and learning how to read, write and grammar rules makes a huge difference".Ms Lombada added: "We are very proud and very happy for this programme and we owe a lot to everyone who has worked hard to make it happen."The courses are provided by the Romanian Linguistic Institute in Bucharest.
Ana Maria Ivanov is one of the teachers on the course and said she had been moved by the support the team has received.She said the classes "are really special because they bring our community together" and "it is a pleasure to teach here and we come in with our hearts open"."It's not only for the Romanian community though, because we are open to any child that would like to join us," Ms Ivanov added.She said she was also surprised to hear the classes had been nominated for the BBC Radio Jersey Make a Difference Awards.Ms Ivanov said: "It's absolutely amazing and it is the first we've been nominated for anything because we only started a year ago, so to hear we're making a difference for parents makes us really proud."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Dua Lipa says it 'feels like my two sides are now one' as she is granted Kosovo citizenship - to go with Britain and Albania
Dua Lipa said she 'feels like my two sides are now one' after she was granted Kosovo citizenship. Hailing the singer as 'one of the most iconic cultural figures in our country's history', Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said it was an 'honour' granting Dua citizenship. In a statement, the hit-maker said: 'It completes the duality I have always had within. I love this country and this means so much to me and my family.' Images of the ceremony, which was held in Kosovo on Friday, show a beaming Dua posing with President Osmani. Other photos show the singer greeting fans and receiving gifts from them. Sharing the snaps on X, President Osmani said: 'Dua and Kosovo have always been inseparable. From the world's biggest stages to the hearts of millions, she's carried our story with strength, pride, and grace... 'Our gratitude is endless for everything Dua has done, and continues to do for Kosovo'. The Levitating singer was greeted at the ceremony by a children's choir, who sang her hit song. Singer Dua Lipa was granted Kosovan citizenship on Friday Pictured: Dua Lipa with father Dukagjin Lipa and President of Kosovo Vjona Osmani Dua was greeted by fans and a choir of children who sang her hit song Levitating Also in attendance was UK Ambassador to Kosovo, Jonathan Hargreaves. Dua now holds citizenship for Britain, Albania and Kosovo. She was granted Albanian in 2022 by President Bajram Begaj for her role in spreading Albania's fame internationally through music. Dua is currently in Kosovo for the three-day annual Sunny Hill Festival, which she organises with her father Dukagjin Lipa. She often speaks about her love for the country, and helped set up a charity that focuses on helping vulnerable communities in Kosovo. The super star was born in London in 1995 to immigrant Albanian parents Anesa and Dukagjin from Kosovo. Dua, who started singing at five years old, was musically influenced by her father, a former singer and guitarist of a rock band. Dua now holds citizenship for Britain, Albania and Kosovo She was granted Albanian in 2022 by President Bajram Begaj for her role in spreading Albania's fame internationally through music The super star was born in London in 1995 to immigrant Albanian parents Anesa and Dukagjin from Kosovo A beaming Dua is seen receiving a bouquet of flowers as she arrives at the ceremony on Friday Dua is currently in Kosovo for the three-day annual Sunny Hill Festival She started to post her songs on YouTube when she was 14. Her first debut album was released in 2017. In 2019, she won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. British singer Rita Ora is also from Kosovo, but does not have citizenship. Rita and her family moved to the UK in 1991 and Rita went to the Sylvia Young Theatre School in London where she quickly set her heart on being a singer. She opened up about her family history in an interview with Louis Theroux for his interview series. She explained that her mother Vera, was a psychiatrist, while her father, Besnik, was an economist in Kosovo yet he had to flee to escape the risk of persecution. Once in the UK, Rita's dad opened a pub while Rita flourished in the arts. Rita has also previously described what it was like to grow up as a refugee in the UK and admitted she often felt like an 'outsider' during her childhood.
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Seán Rocks: Funeral of RTÉ broadcaster to take place in his hometown Monaghan
The funeral of RTÉ broadcaster and actor Seán Rocks will take place in his hometown of Monaghan on Monday. Mr Rocks, who was the host of arts and culture programme Arena on RTÉ Radio 1, died suddenly at St Vincent's University Hospital on Wednesday following a short illness. Advertisement The 64-year-old, who lived in Dundrum in Dublin, had been on air the previous Friday. In a notice on Mr Rocks' family offered their thanks to the staff at the intensive care unit in St Vincent's for the 'excellent and devoted care' they gave him. They also expressed their appreciation for the kindness extended to them by staff onsite at a very difficult time. Mr Rocks will lie in repose at Clerkins Funeral Home Milltown, Monaghan, on Saturday and Sunday from 3pm until 6pm. The funeral procession will arrive to St Macartan's Cathedral in Monaghan on Monday for 11am mass with burial in the adjoining cemetery. The funeral service will be live streamed. Advertisement Paying tribute to Mr Rocks earlier this week, RTÉ director-general Kevin Bakhurst said his death was an 'enormous shock'. Ireland Seán Rocks, presenter of RTÉ radio's culture show... Read More He said: 'Seán said once: 'Radio is never about the presenter. It's about the person who is opposite you.' 'Loyal listeners, especially to Sean's beloved and long-running Arena on RTE Radio 1, will recognise the man in that quote: Modest yet learned; subtle yet probing; curious yet polite. 'The listener at home was always his focus. Not only is radio the poorer for his passing, but so too has Ireland lost one of its most passionate advocates for the arts, and one of its most informed and versatile voices. 'I want to extend my most sincere sympathies to Sean's beloved Catherine, his children Christian and Morgan, his friends, and his colleagues at this terrible time.'
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Strictly's Diane Buswell hints at future contestant as she admits 'I'd love it'
The Australian dancer, who waltzed her way to victory last year with Chris McCausland, dropped a major hint about someone she'd like to work with this year Dianne Buswell has dropped a huge hint about a potential new Strictly Come Dancing contestant who she would "love to dance with". In a chat with her former dance partner Chris McCausland, the Australian dancer revealed some tantalising insights into the forthcoming series of the BBC show. Among the things they talked about was potential addition's to this year's line-up partners and Dianne, who won last year's contest with Chris, admits she's found "the one". The comedian made Strictly history last year by becoming the show's first blind contestant. Since their victory, the pair have remained close friends and now host their own podcast Winning Isn't Everything. When asked if she knew which celebrities would be on the next series, Dianne said she had heard someone from Neighbours might be in the line-up. That someone is rumoured to Ramsay Street legend Stefan Dennis, who has played Paul Robinson since the very first episode aired in 1985. The mere idea of doing the Paso Doble with soap royalty exicted Dianne. "I have no idea, Chris!" she said, "I heard that there's gonna be someone from Neighbours, which would be sick! I would love to dance with an Aussie! "That's what I've heard. Someone told me this. Was it you, actually? No, you didn't tell me. Someone told me, 'Oh, word on the street is there's a guy from Neighbours that's gonna be in it'. And I was like, 'Oh, that would be sick! That would be so cool!'" When asked if the rumoured participant would be a past or present star, Dianne responded that she believed the gossip pertained to an "old veteran", sparking speculation among the podcast hosts about the potential identity. Chris put forward Ian Smith, who plays Harold Bishop, but Dianne dismissed this as unlikely. However, when Stefan was suggested, she confirmed he's the "one" and "definitely" the subject of the rumour. Earlier this month, similar whispers surfaced that Stefan had joined Strictly now that Neighbours filming had wrapped up at Nunawading Studios in Australia. This came ahead of the soap airing its final episodes in December after it was cancelled by Amazon earlier this year. Three years ago, the online retail behemoth revived the soap after it was axed by Channel 5. However, that specific agreement has now expired, and the final episode was recorded on July 11. This means that Stefan should be available to participate in Strictly if the rumours hold water. An insider disclosed to The Sun: "Stefan is a huge character on the soap and is sure to be a hit with Strictly fans. "BBC bosses are confident Stefan will bring in the ratings. He has made no secret of the fact that he would love to star on Strictly and will put his all into the training." Apart from Stefan, other celebrities rumoured to be joining this year's Strictly line-up include actress Balvinder Sopal, who plays Suki in EastEnders, reality star Vicky Pattison and former Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan. Ex-Apprentice contestant Thomas Skinner, jockey Rachael Blackmore, reality star Stacey Solomon and Queen Camilla's son Tom Parker Bowles are also rumoured to be part of this year's show.
