An anthology containing poems, stories and art work by pupils from schools throughout Cork city was launched yesterday by President Mary McAleese.
Children aged from four to 17 contributed to the Connections anthology as part of University College Cork's "Bridging the Gap" project. The initiative is aimed at enhancing the educational experience of young people in Cork city.
Speaking at St Vincent's primary school on the north side of the city yesterday, Mrs McAleese said it was a source of great joy to her to read a collection that represented the viewpoints of children from other countries who had made Cork their new home.
Eight-year-old Latvian girl Santa Miller, a pupil at Sunday's Well girls' national school, read out her contribution to Connections, bringing a smile to the President's face when she described her shock at finding that Irish people put milk in their tea.
However, Santa said her mother started to put milk in her tea and now she doesn't like the Latvian version.
Connections also contains Cork pupils' reflections on the city's year as European capital of culture.
Sinéad O'Connor, a fifth-year pupil at Presentation secondary school in Ballyphehane, said the 2005 celebrations had created a "zesty atmosphere" in Cork.
"How often do you become part of a theatre company's street improvisation when doing your shopping? How often do you take part in the world's largest céilí alongside Michael Flatley and enter the Guinness Book of Records? Or see a dragon on the River Lee?"
President McAleese told the pupils at St Vincent's that it was important to focus on what was going on in the hearts of young pupils during this "extraordinary year".
"We are coming to the end of the Cork European Capital of Culture. It has been a mighty, mighty year. People looked at Cork differently even the people who live here. This is Cork's young people making their contribution to Cork city. This is the generation who are going to keep Cork on the map."
In addition to the launch of the anthology, the President also attended a showcase of Bridging the Gap activities in art, drama and music.