Language: English

Art represents an indispensable part of our lives, whether we are its creators, its performers or merely its astounded and fascinated observers. Art is like the cosmic web that flourishes the blackness of the night, a perpetual never-ending glistening of hope, dreams and aspirations, of enthusiasm, faith and dedication towards giving our existence the meaning of love, excitement, joy, peace and harmony. It is what transforms darkness into an electrifying glow; a ray of sunshine flowing through the gloom of time; a concealed horizon, shrouded by what seems so tough, so burdensome at times, suddenly open to ourselves, like a ravishing, beautiful sunset, revealing to our souls, to our intricate and ever-questioning minds, the dawn of a new day.

As a means to celebrate the glorious and sublime expression of art, the prestige of immortality that propels it into greatness, this year, on the 27th of April, in the honor of William Shakespeare and the artistic work that he has left behind, a literature that still manages to inspire, to transform and educate our generations – and surely generations yet to come – even after hundreds of years after his death, Mark Twain International School is proud to present, as part of an annual cultural experience, the 6th Edition of the Shakespeare Alive Festival.

The Shakespeare Alive Festival from 2023 was comprised of a series of magical representations pertaining to our beloved “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, “The Taming of the Shrew”, “The Tempest”, “Hamlet” and more, entertaining and inspiring our souls and minds with delightful acting demonstrations, poetry recitals and, naturally, a wonderful immersive experience about the world of William Shakespeare and the socio-cultural and political unfolding of civilization from that time. The festival brought together IB, MYP and DP students in a transdisciplinary event, interweaving language and literature, music and theatre, graphics and costume design and, on top of it all, a set of electric performances for our delightful Secondary Campus audience. It was a perfect demonstration of talent and creativity, of passion, determination and hard work, blended all together by a unanimous sense of curiosity and thirst for knowledge that motivated our young students to explore the literature of William Shakespeare and then bring it to life in their own personal ways.

We were reminded once again that in an everlasting battle between light and dark, where many a time our experiences might be shrouded by the turbulence and restlessness of hardship, it is through art and its expressions that we find a spiritual guide towards discovering peace and harmony within ourselves. For there is nothing purer, nothing as powerful as love, hope and, above all, the faith in a better world. Just as Professor Dumbledore once said: “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban).

Florin Ionescu
Advancement Officer
Mark Twain International School

Showing deep concern for our planet, the environment that holds us all together, as well as our lives as an ecosystem, Mark Twain International School embraces and yet again encourages a demeanor of love, gratitude and recognition to our Mother Nature and all its living beings.

Celebrating a major historical movement that emerged in 1970 in the USA, a humanitarian manifest which later on managed to gain a world-wide significance due to its powerful and inspiring values, Earth Day was meant – and still is today – to increase environmental awareness, to mobilize all citizens towards a more caring attitude with respect to their natural surroundings. For that matter, the people from Mark Twain International School joined on the 22^nd of April 2023, in sympathy and devotion, the celebration of this annual historical event, in order to demonstrate their support for environmental protection.

Not only were students taught a really valuable lesson about morality, about the responsibility they hold to life as human beings, and how pollution influences our public health, but were also encouraged to make a pledge – that with every day passed, they will have found a small but active way that would contribute to making the world at large a healthier place to live in. For example, by: engaging in daily recycling activities, ensuring a better management of their water supply, as well as a more responsible use of electric energy. Also engaging in the use of green energy, even planting something for themselves inside their apartments or outside, in the garden. For as long as our planet’s resources are used responsibly by all citizens of the world, we – the people – are closer to our mission’s ideal we have for so long striven to fulfill.

Engaging in beautiful and responsible acts meant to improve the quality of life, this year, the students from the PYP, MYP and DP zestily celebrated Earth Day by rolling up their sleeves, grabbing the gardening tools and water hose, and doing some serious planting together with their teachers and the school gardener. All this to the delight of our vibrantly colourful Primary and Secondary Campuses flower beds and gardens, that have come to life once again, in a dazzling ray of joy and happiness, embracing us all in a wonderful feeling of spring rejuvenation.

Florin Ionescu

Advancement Officer

Mark Twain International School

Showing pride and dedication towards its students, with an overall sense of accomplishment, of happiness and recognition for all the hard work they have put into their education, into their personal and emotional development, Mark Twain International School is honoured to present, as part of an annual cultural experience, the MYP “Personal Project” Exhibition 2023.

The MYP Personal Project is a student-centered and age-appropriate practical exploration in which students consolidate their learning throughout the programme. This long-term project is designed as an independent learning experience of approximately 25 hours. The personal project formally assesses students’ ATL skills for self-management, research, communication, critical and creative thinking, and collaboration.

An event that takes place every year in accordance with the academic tradition of the International Baccalaureate, the MYP “Personal Project” embodies a glorious culmination of the Middle Years Programme. This year, taking place on the 28^th of March in the Senior Campus, the “Personal Project” Exhibition was a true demonstration of inquisitiveness, creativity and determination, of passion, perseverance and thirst for knowledge. It was, after all, a perfect testimony of resilience and risk-taking when faced with an ever-changing world. The students from Mark Twain International School have proven that even though challenges may arise along the way, with the appropriate tools and guidance, you can stay true to your passions, to your beliefs, and make a positive impact in the community and beyond.

Mark Twain IS 10^th graders proudly presented their works and demonstrated the process behind what seemed so complex, so fascinating to the observer. Shifting from science to visual arts, from cooking to humanitarian propositions, none of the projects was the same, for every student is blessed by his/her own individuality. Each “personal project” illustrated the values cherished, but, moreover, encouraged by Mark Twain, namely dreaming big, working hard and always staying true to your own self. That being said, there is no question in affirming that this year’s MYP graduates are ready to take on a new adventure: the prestigious Diploma Programme, culminating with the Internatonal Baccalaureate.

Many thanks to students, teachers, mentors, directors and IB MYP Coordinator, Ms. Floriana Florea, for making this event possible, for the hard academic and research work to this end, and for what has proven to be an excellent exhibition for our school community!    

Florin Ionescu

Advancement Officer

In the spirit of absolute solidarity with our world, honouring vitality, soulfulness and a long life ahead for all, Mark Twain IS embraces and moreover encourages a responsible attitude, a demeanor of love and consideration to our natural environment, to our evermore indispensable source of evolution: life itself.

As a means to show care and devotion to Mother Earth and all its living beings, this year, on the 22nd of March, celebrating World Water Day was a top priority. The entire school, from hundreds of students to their teachers and supervisors, all of them took the “Earth Steward and Water Protector’s Pledge”, dedicating their time to making this world a better place to live in. Having as a spiritual guide a rather fascinating, beautiful and inspiring story, written by Carole Lindstrom, about the efforts of an Ojibwe girl who fights for the world’s water against an oil pipeline, all students were taught or reminded about the importance of clean water and how it needs our constant effort in preserving its healthful characteristics. That we should never waste it or pollute it without care, that it is part of ourselves as we are part of it.

Alongside a delightful lesson about morality, about life and responsibility of life, each student was encouraged to depict, in any way they feel inspired, how they would save the world by improving the quality of water. Creativity was their superpower, for every piece of art was special in its way, touched by individuality, each reflecting one’s identity in reaching the same goal. Together, they joined forces and created meaningful and powerful works, truly magical representations of how a child’s mind will ever be.

“World Water Day 2023 is about accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis. And because water affects us all, we need everyone to take action. That means you! You and your family, school and community can make a difference by changing the way you use, consume and manage water in your lives.” Join Mark Twain IS to make a change!

World Water Day | World Water Day 2023. (n.d.). World Water Day. https://www.worldwaterday.org/

Florin Ionescu

Advancement Officer Mark Twain IS

The Glowing Lantern Festival 2020 • How to create a festival lantern at home. Made with the kindness of our visual arts teacher, Samir Vancica, and video processed and musically edited by Ioana Macovei Vlasceanu, the video is very short, beautiful and useful, and aims to support the school community to easily produce as many lanterns as possible / lanterns for our festival.

Student Vlogging. Presenting Maria, 7th Grade IB Middle Years Programme, and her passion for Civics and EU Legislation. Civics is the study of the rights and duties of citizenship. Stay tuned for more presentations from Mark Twain IS’ brave, caring, and knowledgeable students.
#responsiblecitizenship #studentagency #contributetothecommunity #careandshare #youvegotthis

Student Vlogging. Presenting Ann, IB Diploma Programme Year I, who is honing her Digital Art skills at home. Stay tuned for more presentations from Mark Twain IS’ brave, caring, creative and hard-working students.
#embracethearts #studentagency #contributetothecommunity #careandshare #youvegotthis