On 30 April, Princess Marie attended the launch of GeoPark’s Children Art Project, the biggest children’s art project in Denmark. GeoPark Odsherred was the first GeoPark opened in Denmark and is now sponsored by UNESCO.
Geokids is an art project and educational offer for school students in Odsherred which started in 2014. In connection with the project, the students have been introduced to Geopark Odsherred’s landscape and cultural history, and they have learned about the landscape and dug for clay.
© Claus Starup
Prior to the actual sculpture project, all students have undergone a Geokids course where they are have been introduced to concepts such as ice age, work on nature, food, cultural history and Odsherred painters. By allowing students to make their masks, Geokids has contributed to identity creation through learning. Today, all Odsherred students are familiar with what the geopark is and how it works out.
© Claus Starup
Together with the artists Martin Nybo and Henrik Boe, the students have created masks of the clay from the park, all gathered for a joint work of art. Behind each mask is a QR code. When you scan the code, you can see a small movie with the child who made the mask. During the visit, Princess Marie participated designed a mask herself with the help of Martin Nybo but it will not be included in the exhibition.
© Claus Starup
After the official launch of the children’s project, Princess Marie participated in a walk on Højderygstien from Veddinge Bakker to Esterhøj in Høve with the oldest children. She was joined by GeoPark’s geologist Jacob Walloe Hansen told her about the landscape.
Princess Marie attended the launch in her role of Patron of the Danish UNESCO National Commission. She was elected Patron by the General Council in October 2009 and has taken part in a lot of initiatives to promote Denmark’s landscape and culture since then, such as becoming Patron of the Waddensea Festival.
