Children Captivated by "The Happy Prince" Performance

This past Saturday, January 13, 2024, the children in our community were treated to a magical performance of "The Happy Prince" at the Friends' Meeting House in Dundee. Talented artist and storyteller Carrie Varjavandi brought this classic Oscar Wilde tale to life through enthralling storytelling and shadow puppetry.

At 3pm, a group of excited young ones gathered with their families for the show. As Carrie began the story, her descriptive language transported us to the land of the Happy Prince statue who overlooked the city. When the Swallow character appeared as a shadow puppet, the children were utterly enchanted. Gasps and whispers circled the room as the visually engaging performance unfolded.

The timeless messages of compassion, sacrifice, and seeing beauty within shone through. By the story's bittersweet end, many eyes glistened with tears. After thunderous applause, the children gathered around Carrie to eagerly ask questions about the puppets and performance.

The magic continued as the 4pm shadow puppet making workshop began. Carrie generously provided materials and guidance to make our own puppets. The kids dove into cutting, coloring, and creating unique characters. Laughter rang out as they experimented with bringing their handmade puppets to life.

As parents eventually shepherded their tired but satisfied children home, many expressed their gratitude for the thoroughly enchanting afternoon. The families in our community will fondly remember this special experience for many years to come. The story's reminder to see with eyes unclouded by material concerns struck an inspiring chord that still resonates.