The participants of Summer School “Unity”, accompanied by Vasyl Radyk, visited the Berehovo center “Everyone Can Help,” where volunteers taught an environmental and historical class. The youngsters learned about the history of Berehovo, met the birds that live in the center, and participated in an educational quiz.
The session began with a visit to Prince Gabor Betlen’s palace, which is notable for its history rather than its outward construction. The children were taught that the palace was built on the site of a monastery that was demolished in 1573. Gabor Betlen, the former King of Hungary, moved into the new edifice. The building was finished in 1629, as attested by the inscription “Betlen, 1629” on the facade. The museum “Berehovo District” has been hosted in the palace since 2002. It contains four halls from various historical periods. A winemaking museum opened in the palace’s basement in 2011.
A variety of animals live in the count’s courtyard, where Leonid Pokrytyuk, an expert from the Interreligious and Civil Environmental Forum of Eastern Europe (IRCEF), treats and cares for them. There are currently six white storks wandering the territory, each with its own sad history. The students were especially captivated by the pretty bantam chickens, which included rooster Petryk, two hens (from the previous brood), and hen Nastya with small chicks.
During their visit, ornithologist Leonid Pokrytyuk shared valuable insights with the students about the various inhabitants of the count’s yard. He taught them how to differentiate between adult and young white storks and provided a comprehensive overview of the birds of prey found in Transcarpathia. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of proper care for young flightless chicks and injured birds, highlighting that their fate hinges on swift access to veterinary care and initial aid.
Following the informative tour and lecture, the children actively participated in feeding sessions with a Eurasian goshawk and a wetland harrier. They also enjoyed a photo session with guinea pigs and fancy rats. To cap off their visit, the schoolchildren engaged in an environmental knowledge quiz, with correct answers earning them memorable prizes from IERS and IRCEF. Overall, the visit provided the students with hands-on learning experiences and a deeper appreciation for the local wildlife and the importance of responsible interaction with it.
The event was held within the framework of cooperation between the Interreligious and Ecological Civil Forum of Eastern Europe (IRCEF) (headed by Olexander Bokotey) and the German Nature Conservation Union (NABU Bundesverband, NABU International), project coordinators Ivan Tymofeiev (NABU), Nataliya Kulya (IRCEF).
Informational Service of IRCEF
