GREAT adventures await Filipino children this summer, as the European Union Delegation mounts the virtual edition of the annual cultural festival “Lakbayin Natin ang EU” on May 16 at 10 a.m. via the EU in the Philippines Facebook page.
Lakbayin Natin…is part of the ongoing “Viva Europa” celebrations and focuses on the theme “Children for Friendship,” which will feature a visual tapestry of European culture and arts from the Embassies of Czech Republic, Germany, France, Austria, Poland, and the Philippine-Italian Association (PIA).
“Since 2008 the EU Delegation has been providing an opportunity for Filipino children to learn European songs, games, stories, music and arts and crafts,” said EU Ambassador Luc Véron. “Together with the EU member-states’ embassies and cultural institutes, the delegation has ensured to create a unique and enjoyable cultural experience for Pinoy kids.”
Considering the pandemic, “Lakbayin Natin…” has resorted to using digital platforms this year to ensure children and their families are safe and sound. Among the highlights of the festival are:
Poetry reading by Czechia. The Czech Embassy will present its poetry reading entitled Štěstí or “Fortune” by Adolf Heyduk. It will be performed both in Czech and in English by Dora Šedivá—daughter of Ambassador Jana Šedivá, as well as Marika Štěpková—daughter of Deputy Ambassador Jana Peterková.
Country comparisons by Germany. German grade schoolers will appear in a video comparing their country with the Philippines in terms of weather, clothing, animals and landmarks, to be headed by teacher Florian Simmelbauer.
Song by France. Fourteen-year-old soprano Yumi will perform “L‘amour and Ode to Joy.” She is the champion of the World for Opera-Junior Division of the 2019 World Championship of Performing Arts, and hosts Musikwela Kids TV—an online educational show for kids, parents and educators promoting Pinoy culture and values.
Storytelling, song, and nursery rhyme by Italy. To celebrate the 140th anniversary of the first appearance of Pinocchio on the weekly children magazine Il Giornale Dei Ragazzi, the PIA will feature two activities especially dedicated to the wooden puppet hero. (The Adventures of Pinocchio was originally written in serial form by Italian author Carlo Collodi in 1881.)
There will be a storytelling of Ang Pangako ni Pinocchio based on the book Pinocchio: The Tale of a Puppet by Collodi and illustrated by Alice Carsey, to be narrated by Ate Melai, Kuya Tom, and Kuya James—“kwuentistas” from the National Library of the Philippines.
PIA will also share a fun “filastrocca sull’amicizia,” or nursery rhyme, on friendship by Italian writer Gianni Rodari—considered one of the most prominent children’s literature writers in Italy. This will be interpreted by three Italian students from an Italian Language for Children course.
Country tour by Austria. Kids will be taken around Austria to learn more about its rich culture, famous personalities, and captivating landmarks. They will also be taught the translation and pronunciation of common Filipino words and phrases in German—the official language of Austria. Madeleine Mitchelle Diolanda and Darline Spielhofer of the Austrian Embassy will coach the children.
Rhymes by Poland. Representatives from the Polish Embassy headed by Chargé d’Affaires (CDA) Jarosław Szczepankiewicz will recite the Lokomotywa or Locomotive by Polish poet Julian Tuwim. The CDA and his team specially shot this activity in Dagupan City where they had an old train displayed in front of the city museum as background. (In 1939, the poem, along with two others namely “The Turnip” and “The Bird’s Broadcast,” were published in a single book, with commissioned illustrations from Jan Le Witt and George Him.)
Friendship bracelets. The art of creating these items will be taught by Teens for Unity PH’s Samantha Belwa. This craft-making activity will help kids be more creative, resourceful, and be filled with hope, as they look forward to the day when they can personally hand-over their customized bracelets to friends and playmates.
The festival will also display winning artworks created from either crayons, coloring pencils, paints, oil pastels, and watercolor in the EU Delegation’s Art Contest. Embodying the general theme “Children for Friendship,” Filipino preschool to middle-school students were asked to express the meaning of friendship through art and the way they can promote it between Filipinos and Europeans.
The children’s festival is supported by the Department of Education.