The project “Magical Play Communities Inspired by H.C. Andersen” is in full swing, and it’s a true delight to be organizing the third and final play workshop in the very home of the fairy tale author himself, on March 12. This workshop takes place at Ville Vau – the Children’s Universe, and this time the focus is on the stories “The Ugly Duckling” and “The Princess and the Pea.”

Since September, educational specialist and play enthusiast Gitte Bork has been waving her magic wand, spinning her umbrella, and inspiring educators from nurseries and daycares to engage WITH both Andersen and the children. The result has been enchanting games and magical moments of connection.

Author and musician Benedicte Riis contributes with songs, storytelling, and whimsical folding books, while Mogens Godballe, former folk high school principal, provides inspiration and frames the fairy tales within a philosophical life perspective—opening new pathways for understanding and working with H.C. Andersen and his world.

A Variety of Fairy Tales and Creative Materials
The choice of fairy tales, songs, and materials varies greatly among the educators, but what they all have in common is their foundation in play and the children's imagination and ideas. From there, anything is possible—directions H.C. Andersen himself would likely have approved of.

Imagine the poet watching from above as children play in fairy-tale huts, lie on mattresses stacked above a tiny pea along the shores of Middelfart, create princes, snowmen, and ducklings in every shape and color, closely examine Thumbelina’s water lilies, frogs, and toads, or dress up as the Little Mermaid and other princesses of the sea.
And imagine Andersen singing along to the children’s own songs, watching dramatic puppet shows unfold, and swimming through peepholes into the mermaid’s underwater castle.

Workshop 2
The second workshop took place online in January during the COVID period. Despite the distance, everyone brought their voices, instruments, and imagination—there were ukuleles, magic wands, flower music, guitars, storytelling hats, vision boards, and H.C. Andersen songs.
The two featured fairy tales were Thumbelina—about love conquering all and finding oneself—and The Tinderbox—about the spark and magic that fulfills wishes and opens the door to wonder.

More to come…
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