Last June, the summer edition of the great general culture competition Top Culture took place. Top Culture is the time to federate its teams around a daily meeting. Each day, 32 general knowledge questions must be answered collectively on a tablet: 16 easy and 16 more difficult questions and 5 words from the Hangman.
Once again, more than 450 residences around the world have pulled together and faced this cultural challenge together. One of these residences, Domevremill residence in Vaxy, which belongs to the Coliseum group, answered our questions about its Top Culture experience.
You have participated in Top Culture, our inter-school competition. With the current health crisis, how did you organize yourself for this competition?
This was one of the first group activities after the lockdown. There was no problem, we constituted a small group because the animations resumed slowly with measures still present. We chose this system because during the previous years, we had already worked in groups. It is much more sympathetic than in individual… and with several intelligences we are more effective!
We formed a small group of 4 people in order to respect the rules of distancing as much as possible. The people who participated are residents without major cognitive problems.
Here is a small presentation…
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Mr Jean-Marc F.
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Mr Claude D.
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Mr Fernand R.
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Sometimes one or the other resident joined us, intrigued by our tablet.
Have you trained for competition with our Scarlett adapted games program?
We did not prepare the competition and during the lockdown we had to stop our memory workshops. We trusted our general culture. As in each edition, we did not use the internet or any other means to facilitate the answers. Our answers are spontaneous. If there are several answers we consult each other and choose the one that gets the most votes!
As a facilitator, what did you think of the game Top Culture?
It was very good, some of the questions were difficult. The themes were quite broad and we liked them. The hanging at the end was a good idea to relax a little bit.
Did your residents like it? How did they experience it?
The interest of the game motivated us. Our residents love the quizzes. There was no notion of challenge with the other participants…. But we followed the ranking closely! There was also the pleasure of getting together after this long period where the activities in the room were very different from those in the dining room.
It brought us pleasure, once again it was very nice to get together even in a very small committee. The good mood was also there, we were able to find a little bit of life before the crisis, laughter, jokes, anecdotes….
Do you have any stories to share with us?
There were some weird questions, like about the maximum length of cow horns! There is a cow park just in front of the residence, we should have gone to check the measurements.
The residents were present every day at the appointed time… when you know how difficult it is to get them together sometimes, they didn’t miss a session and the weekend without questions was long! Before there were some and we made up for it on Monday … triple dose of questions … it was good, wasn’t it?
The list of participants also marked us, full of French but also European residences and us! We were also surprised by our ability to respond, we thought we were a little more rusty !
Will you be there for the next edition of Top Culture next January?
Of course we will participate… with the intention of maybe winning something other than a diploma this time!
But the most important thing is to participate and we will do it with great pleasure.
Thank you to all your team for allowing us to test us, to laugh and we’ll see you very soon…Vaxy is always up for a challenge!
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Measuring the cow’s horn…
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When the group receives help
The Benefits of Participating in Cultural Competitions
Engaging in cultural competitions like Top Culture offers numerous benefits for participants, especially in a communal living setting. Here are some key advantages:
- Enhanced Social Interaction: Competitions encourage residents to interact, fostering friendships and camaraderie.
- Boosted Cognitive Skills: Answering trivia questions stimulates the mind, improving memory and critical thinking.
- Increased Engagement: The competitive aspect keeps participants motivated and eager to learn.
- Emotional Well-being: Enjoying shared experiences can significantly enhance mood and overall happiness.
How to Prepare for Future Competitions
While spontaneous participation can be fun, preparing for competitions can enhance the experience. Here are some strategies to consider:
- Regular Quiz Sessions: Organize weekly trivia games to keep residents engaged and informed.
- Utilize Resources: Incorporate books, documentaries, and online materials to broaden knowledge bases.
- Team Building Activities: Engage in activities that strengthen teamwork and communication skills among participants.
- Mock Competitions: Conduct practice rounds to familiarize residents with the competition format and question types.
Personal Stories from Past Participants
Sharing personal experiences can inspire others to participate. Here are a few anecdotes from previous Top Culture competitors:
- Unexpected Knowledge: One resident surprised everyone by recalling obscure facts about local history, showcasing the depth of their knowledge.
- Building Confidence: A shy participant found their voice during the competition, contributing answers that helped the team succeed.
- Creating Lasting Memories: Many residents fondly remember the laughter and discussions that arose from challenging questions.
Future of Cultural Competitions in Community Living
As communities adapt to changing circumstances, the future of cultural competitions looks promising. Here are some anticipated trends:
- Increased Virtual Participation: Online platforms will allow more residents to join from different locations, enhancing inclusivity.
- Integration of Technology: Utilizing apps and interactive tools will make competitions more engaging and accessible.
- Focus on Diverse Topics: Future competitions may explore a wider range of subjects, appealing to varied interests among residents.
- Collaborative Events: Partnerships between different residences could lead to larger, more exciting competitions.