Collect a flame from a great united fire

On 23^rd September people from all over Hungary as well as from abroad came to Hatvan to the award ceremony of the children’s drawing competition, which took place at 3 pm in the garden of the Moldvay Győző Gallery. The First International Travelling Exhibition of the children’s drawings entitled „Together in Love” was organised by the mothers of Hatvan, together with other warmhearted people.

It was Mrs Ottó Basa who initiated the exhibition of the drawings. In response to her invitation in eight languages, sent out on 18th January 2006, 800 drawings arrived from Hungary, Transylvania, Moldavia, Slovakia, Serbia, Finland, Germany, England, Peru, Ukraine, including the work of children from nursery school up to highschool. With the pictures drawn or painted, each sent a flame of the light of love that lives in their heart. Now the young people came to Hatvan so that they can collect a flame from the great united fire. Those visitors from abroad included people of Slovakia, the towns of Somorján, Nagykér and Kolozsvár of Romania, of Finland and Serbia. Some spent an extra day so that we could remain longer together in love.

The mayor, Zsolt érsek, and the diocesan priest, József Koza hosted the exhibition. After the singing of the students of Kamilla Dévai Nagy, the mayor opened the exhibition. In her words of congratulations Anna Jókai,the patron of the exhibition, distinguished writer and holder of the Kossuth-prize and Stephanus-prize, spoke about love being the family’s bonding strength. Dr Emil Gaul, Chairman of the Hungarian Art Teachers’ Association gave a technical appreciation of the work exhibited. The judges’ choice for best was the picture titled: the flame of friendship, painted by Fanni Szakonyi, a little girl from Szombathely. Every picture exhibited was awarded a prize, there being 50 gold and numerous silver or bronze certificates handed out. The children received scarves and canvas bags with the emblem „Together in love” on each. Those with the gold prize also received a book of author Anna Jókai, specially inscribed and personally handed over. Further prizes included painting kits and commemorative plaques.

As it is a travelling exhibition, it has already been to Galgahéviz and Kács. With prior arrangement, it’s possible to take it elsewhere, even to abroad. Information about this can be obtained by email at the address: otto52@freemail.hu

This exhibition was founded on love. Generous, warmhearted, willing people worked together without looking for financial reward. Among the donations was the series of postage stamps of 30 of the prize-winning pictures, offered by the Directorate of the Post Office. The Százszorszép publishers produced cards of the children’s pictures. We plan to publish an album with the most popular drawings.

Following the exhibition a festive music programme could be enjoyed at St Adalbert church. Holy Mass offered for the children closed the celebrations, with a huge gathering of the faithful.

On the two floors of the Moldvai Győző Gallery some 400 pictures were displayed for the viewers until 24th October. Postcards printed with pictures by the children could also be bought.

„Sitting high on the clouds an angel sees everything.

Down on earth children paint bright pictures of life.”

2^nd exhibition place  Kács

3^rd exhibition place  Hatvan

4th  exhibition place – Szombathely- from 30 November 2006 to the end of January

5th exhibition place – Budapest Erzsébetligeti Színház- from 10 March to 31 March

6th exhibition place – Esztergom –from 15 April to 30 April

7th exhibition place – Budapest, Kőbányai Pataky Cultural Centre and Theatre-from 12th May to 2nd June                                      

8th exhibition place – Eger –from 9th June to 29 July

9th exhibition place -  Kecskemét – from 1- 16 September

10th exhibition place   Baja