|
 |
Synopsis of HCASTC, Inc./Unity Project/Collaboration With
DYCD's Beacon Programs
|
Fairy and Folk Tales From Around The World! (appropriate for children ages 6 and up. Fun for Adults as well.) 
At the Hans Christian Andersen (Ugly Duckling)
Statue Storytelling is held rain or shine. Artistic Director: Diane Wolkstein (www.dianewolkstein.com)
On Saturdays all summer long for some 50 years, New York children have gathered around Hans Christian Andersen´s statue at the Conservatory Pond in Central Park to hear his tales told by a fine ensemble of storytellers. Celebrity performers such as Victor Borge, Eva la Gallienne, Fanny Hurst and Celeste Holm have also visited, telling their favorite stories. The idea for the statue originated with Baroness Alma Dahlerup, then president of the Danish-American Women´s Association of New York, who had for years arranged for Andersen´s stories to be read on the radio. Rober Moses, then New York City Parks Commissioner, secured the ´perfect´ site and the City Department of Parks and Recretation and the Central Park Conservancy have given their active support ever since. A significant share of the funding for the statue came from donations made by school children both in Denmark and the United States. Danish-American sculptor George Lober created the larger-than-life bronze statue that was commisioned in 1954, in anticipation of marking the 150 th anniversary of the author´s birth. Hans Christian Andersens well-rubbed knees are ample evidence of the fun children continue to have sitting on his lap. The statue has become a symbol of the good relations between the United States and Denmark . Following a tradition established by her father and mother, Their Majesties King Frederik and Queen Margrethe II visited the statue in 1976 during her American Bicentennial trip. Other members of the Danish royal family continue to visit. In 1964, the City of Copenhagen contributed two 19 th century street lamps that now stand on either side of the statue. In 1985, New York City Parks Commissioner Henry Stern, wishing to reciprocate, sent two New York City street lamps to Copenhagen , which can be seen standing in Dantes Plads. More historic information on THE BIRTH OF A STATUE Sponsored by the Hans Christian Andersen
Storytelling Center, Inc.
|
