Monsters and Mermaids

In our Monsters and Mermaids Programme Series, we playfully draw the attention of open-minded and receptive children to the dangers threatening the ecology of Lake Balaton. We aim to help shape young children’s attitudes in a playful manner as they discover their environment. The Monsters and Mermaids overall ecology awareness-raising project is built on several pillars.

The education programme is aimed at 5-9-year-olds and will be included in the day-care activities of approximately 40 elementary schools in the 2022-2023 school year. The specially designed educational programme will introduce the animals of the Lake Balaton region with a playful approach. Drama teacher Kitti Deli will run the sessions.

By autumn 2022, the book “Szörnyek és Sellők – A balatoni kacsavész” (Monsters and Mermaids - The Lake Balaton Duck Plague) will come out. In April 2022, children were asked in a drawing competition to draw one of the story’s protagonists, the placodont, once native to Veszprém. The drawing competition turned out to be very popular. It attracted hundreds of entries, closed on 6 May, and the results were announced on 27 May.

The final element of the ‘Monsters and Mermaids’ project is the play based on the story. It will premiere as part of the Gisela Days - Children's Garden festivities in May 2023 and will also be performed on nine Balaton beaches in July and August.

Implemented by: Művészetek a Vidék Fejlesztéséért Alapítvány (Arts for Rural Development Foundation)

Location: Veszprém, Badacsonytomaj, Csopak, Fonyód, Balatonfűzfő, Balatonederics, Révfülöp, Vonyarcvashegy, Balatonberény, Zánka

Dates: The educational programme starts in autumn 2022 and the play will be performed from May to August 2023

Partners: Elementary schools in the region