According to Encyclopedia Britannica a symbol is a communication element intended to simply represent or stand for a complex of person, object, group, or idea. There are thousands of symbols that are recognized by most people all over the world and many more that are limited to certain regions, religions and sciences. Sometimes perception of the same symbols is different and depends on different associations.

National symbols (a flag, an anthem and an emblem) represent states, nations, and countries in the world. They are created as visual, verbal, or iconic representations of a nation's people, values, goals, and history. They are closely related to national identity which comes from a number of things: history, daily life, the land, a moral code, an artistic code and the climate. It is how we eat, how we work, how we spend our free time. It is the way we wear clothes. National identity can be found in traditional clothes. Our songs and the distinct movement of our dances also help define us.

People themselves may also become the symbols of Europe (see link: http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/List-of-Europeans) These may include kings, politicians,  religious leaders, charismatic personalities,scientists, aritist, philosophers and inventors.

Undoubtedly buildings and places can serve as symbols either for individuals or societies after a historical event that took place there, as they are like a brigde that connects the past and present times. Not all of them though may belong to the World Heritage List. To be so they must follow Cultural Heritage Criteria (see link: http://whc.unesco.org/c-criteria-changes.htm)

MATERIALS

·         National symbols – definitions   / Róża Banach-Marchewka

·         National symbols – lesson plan / Ramute Balciute (Lithuania,Vilnius)

·         Symbolic historical places in Europe (selection of links compiled from UNESCO) / Małgorzata Al-Khatib and Joanna Mika-Hadelka

·         Symbolic historical places in Europe (e-lesson - Teacher’s notes) / Małgorzata Al-Khatib and Joanna Mika-Hadelka

·         EUROguide - e-lesson (Teacher’s notes) / Małgorzata Al-Khatib and Joanna Mika-Hadelka

·         EUROguide - e-lesson (Internet worksheet) / Małgorzata Al-Khatib and Joanna Mika-Hadelka

·         Nobel versus pierogi - e-lesson (Internet worksheet) / Małgorzata Al-Khatib and Joanna Mika-Hadelka

·         Famous Europeans and their inventions – e-lesson / Justyna Zubowicz

·         Traditional clothes – collection of links / Justyna Zubowicz and Ramute Balciute

QUIZZES

·         Symbols – gap filling exercise Małgorzata Al-Khatib and Joanna Mika-Hadelka

·         Important dates – matching exercise Małgorzata Al-Khatib and Joanna Mika-Hadelka

·         Famous Europeans – matching exercise / Justyna Zubowicz

·         Famous people – crossword puzzle / Małgorzata Al-Khatib and Joanna Mika-Hadelka (selection of definition is taken from Encyclopædia Britannica. 2004.  Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service.11 Aug. 2004 <http://www.britannica.com>

·         Traditional clothes 1 - matching exercise / Ramute Balciute

·         Traditional clothes 2 - matching exercise / Ramute Balciute and Justyna Zubowicz

·         National symbols – multiple choice test / Ramute Balciute

·         National colours / Róża Banach-Marchewka 

·         National mottos 1 and National mottos 2/ Róża Banach-Marchewka

·         Costumes – crossword / Justyna Zubowicz