BRIDPORT’S links with Bosnia just keep on getting stronger thanks to a committed partnership with Opera Circus, run by Tina Ellen Lee.

There have been a number of youth exchanges between Bridport and Srebrenica thanks to the long-term partnership.

Now six teachers from Srebrenica and Zvornik in Bosnia have come to work with three schools in and around Bridport; Sir John Colfox, Bridport Primary and Symondsbury Primary. They have also a visited Powerstock Primary to see their remodel after the fire.

Mrs Lee said: “The visits are benefiting both the teachers and pupils of all the schools involved, exploring each others countries and history, exchanging teaching practice and discovering the similarities and differences in cultures which are part of a wider Europe.”

In October two young youth leaders and youth centre directors came to Bridport for a three week job shadowing project through the EU Youth in Action programme.

One of the young men, 25-year-old Nemanja Zekic, said: “It was so encouraging that we share many of the same visions and to receive some new ones as well.

“It helped me to change my opinions about many issues, and to widen my perspective; to increase the level of understanding of European values, and what tolerance really means.

“Now I see that the world is very big, and I will give my best to transfer that to the young people of my town.”

Mrs Lee added: “This is a long term programme to develop the idea of global citizenship among young people and to encourage an understanding and tolerance of different people and cultures.

“There is also an ongoing discussion to create a youth twinning between the Youth Council of Bridport and the Youth Council of Srebrenica in Bosnia.

“We are very grateful to the Mayor, Bridport Town Council and the Youth Council for making it possible for us to hold a welcome at the town hall for Irena, Tina, Biljiana, Zorana, Vladimir and Bojan.”