4 ELEMENTS

Project logo
Improve the foreign language learning and intercultural competences of adults through e-learning

The project

FOUR ELEMENTS is an initiative called to raise awareness and appreciation of the importance of culture and heritage as well as to train educators working with adult learners who want to improve their skills and competences necessary in today’s EU labour market.

The project will take advantage of the potential of the common European cultural values associated to the 4 elements earth, water, air and fire) to empower adults to improve their digital, foreign language and intercultural competences.

The partnership expects to develop and deliver innovative teaching materials presented in a culturally accessible E-book consisting of European legends and stories – giving visibility to the underlying common EU values and principles, especially adapted to learners with special needs.

To achieved such objectives, partners will develop:

An interactive map: a collection of legends and stories related to earth, water, air and fire, in different EU countries.

Digital Books with national legends and stories related to the four elements.

Methodological recommendations for adult educators.

To find more information, access the Four Elements platform here.

Digital books

The nations of Europe all have rich cultures of myth and folklore which give the different regions their particular individual flavour. Here we have grouped traditional stories from Belgium, Estonia, France, Greece, Italy, Slovenia and Spain according to the four elements: earth, air, wind and fire.

They are specially adapted to adult learners and can be used to develop language or ICT skills among your students while enhancing intercultural understanding.

Alongside the stories, this digital book contains interactive exercises and is in Easy Read format. All the material in it can be downloaded and printed. Teachers and trainers will find tips and suggestions for how to use it on the Recommendations section of this site.

European partnership

Four Elements is an Erasmus+ KA204 project designed to highlight the importance of culture and heritage at European Union level. It aims to train educators working with adult learners to enable them to acquire the skills and competences, including linguistic and digital skills and competences, required in the European labour market.

The project is coordinated by : CVO EduKempen (Belgium). The partnership also includes DomSpain Consulting (Spain), The Central Library of Võru County (Estonia), Les Apprimeurs (France), Istituto dei Sordi di Torino (Italy), Slovenian Third Age University (Slovenia), MyArtist (Greece).

Erasmus+ project

Erasmus logo The European Commission's support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

The Mountain Legend: Origin of the Name "Pyrenees"

MYTH

Main element: Fire

Language of the original: Spanish

To find more information about the legend, access the Four Elements platform here.

The myth setting takes place in the Pyrenees mountains.

The myth explains the relationship between Hercules and Pyrene, the daughter of the king Tubal. They were in a secret relationship, not accepted by the king, so when he discovered it, he decided to expel Hercules forever. When her beloved left, Pyrene felt lonely and wandered around the woods where she met Gerion, a monster that felt profound love for her but was rejected. When Pyrene saw him, she tried to escape and Gerion decided to burn the forest to leave Pyrene without the protection. She changed her mind and stayed in the woods crying. An eagle saw Pyrene and warned Hercules, but it was too late. Pyrene was able just to tell Hercules what had happened and she died. He decided to entomb her putting stones all over her body, originating the Pyrenees, the mountains where Pyrene was buried.

La leyenda de la montaña: el origen del nombre "Pirineos"

MITO

Elemento: Fuego

Idioma original: Español

Para más información sobre la leyenda, accede a la plataforma de 4element aquí.

El mito explica la relación entre Hércules y Pyrene, la hija del rey Tubal. Tenían una relación secreta que el rey no aceptaba. Cuando lo descubrió, decidió expulsar a Hércules para siempre. Cuando su amado se va, Pyrene se siente sola y deambula por el bosque, donde se encuentra con Gerion, un monstruo que siente un profundo amor por ella, aunque fue rechazado. Cuando Pyrene lo ve huye, y Gerion decide quemar el bosque para obligarla a dejar la protección de los bosques, pero Pyrene cambia sus planes: se queda allí llorando. Cuando un águila ve la escena y advierte a Hércules, ya es demasiado tarde. Tiene tiempo suficiente para contarle a Hércules lo que ha pasado y muere, por lo que él decide enterrarla con piedras por todo el cuerpo, lo que da origen a los Pirineos, la montaña donde está enterrada Pyrene.

Martínez Gil, Sergio: El mito de Pyrene y la creación de los Pirineos.