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FOREWORD OF THE MINISTER
"Dear Reader!
As the story goes, the Chinese empresses were only allowed to see, smell and listen to good things when they got pregnant, so the child would also be beautiful and balanced. It seems China had been ahead of its age by thousands of years in this case, too. They had already known there what present day psychology teaches: that the first nine months of our lives – still in the mother’s womb – and the following three years have an effect on the whole of our lives. It gives direction to our character, our temperament, our creativity and mental health. In brief, to everything that will be really important in us later.
Thus the person who “touches” the first three years of a human being can literally move mountains. This is what the Norwegian university professors and cultural experts who started the Klangfugl movement realized. They discovered that if a child of under three hears and sees something beautiful – as with the Chinese empresses in times past – beauty automatically integrates into his personality. And more effectively than at any time in his future life. Thus art may help the most at this age.
I am proud that Hungarian artists and theatre experts have also joined this co-operation within the framework of the EU project Glitterbird – Art for the very young. I am happy to greet the members of the movement here in Budapest, puppeteers, dancers, musicians and scholars of five countries who have dedicated their daily lives to the smallest for years. They are, and let me quote Harry Potter, not muggles but wizards. Adults who understand the language of children.
In the next three days the first children’s theatre of the Hungarian capital, Kolibri, will present special productions to those interested. These productions find a way to everybody. Not only to those under three, but to anybody who hasn’t forgotten what it is like being a child, being happy and playing carefree. Finally, as cultural minister, I’d like to talk in our own interest a little: let’s not forget that if a three year old child gets a taste of theatre he will almost certainly become an ‘addict’. And that is worth it in itself …
I wish you a pleasant and useful stay!
Dr. András Bozóki
Minister of Culture
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