FACES 2026 (Festival of Ancient Culture for European Schools)
The aim of FACES (Festival of Ancient Culture for European Schools)is to bring together Latin and Greek students from across Europe for a day of training in experimental archaeology, led by experts in antiquity. This project has been initiated by the Latin teachers at the European School in Karlsruhe. It is being run by the team of Latin and Greek teachers of the 6 european schools. The FACES took place in Terra Sigillata, Rheinzabern (Germany) with 150 Latin and Greek students from six European schools: Karlsruhe (host school), Luxembourg I, Luxembourg II, Strasbourg, Frankfurt, and Munich.
WORKSHOPS:
- Moretum (fresh Roman cheese with herbs), bread baking in a Roman clay oven
- Pottery (and crafts for younger children)
- Museum: Presentation, treasure hunt
- Wax tablet
- Perfume blending, glass bead bracelets, Roman clothing
FACES was organised in close collaboration with the Terra Sigillata Museum (Rheinzabern) and its director, Ms Barbara Thomas, who efficiently organised the workshops led by volunteers from the Terra Sigillata Museum Association.
The overall assessment of the satisfaction survey (85 answers) is very positive: general satisfaction reached 4.35/5, with 90.5% of respondents giving a score of 4 or 5. Which was the favourite activity? Ceramics and crafts clearly came first. Pupils particularly appreciate creative and hands-on activities, as well as the possibility of leaving with a concrete object they have made. Moretum and Roman bread-making were another strong point.
ForFACES 2027, the activities requested are: making ancient objects to keep, Roman cooking and ancient sports. These results show a clear expectation: more making, more experimentation and more movement.
Latin students from ESK
