The playful architects got to work!

Children from the 4th and 5th grades of elementary schools involved in the art project Playful Architect 2014 – Children at Prague Castle are already enthusiastically working on their drawings. This year, they are drawing and painting on the topic of architectural detail and art in architecture – artistic processing of art related to architecture. They are therefore drawing reliefs, sculptures, stained glass windows, frescoes, house signs, gargoyles, fountains, mosaics, decorative elements, and details of historical objects – windows, cornices, doors, gables, which they previously discover on joint walks around their city.

At most schools, preparatory lectures, discussions, and walks with local architects and experts have already taken place or are currently taking place, sharing with the children about architecture, its creation, and its creators. The children also learn about how their city developed, talk about interesting historical buildings and places, architectural heritage, and why it is important to care about and take an interest in it. They also get acquainted with the profession of architect and heritage preservationist and the importance of quality architecture for everyday life.

Once the children complete their drawings, they will select the best ones, which will be presented in a separate exhibition at the exhibition in the Jiří's Cloister at Prague Castle, from 15. 9. – 12. 10. 2014.

The classes that worked on the project will also spend a whole day here: on the designated day, the children, accompanied by their teachers, will arrive at Prague Castle, where they will view the Playful Architect exhibition, receive gifts from partners and organizers, and participate in the prepared program and workshops in groups.
For example, in the South Gardens, at Plečnik's viewpoint, the organizers, in collaboration with the National Heritage Institute and renowned architects, prepare amazing creative workshops and tours for them.

The organizers of the project want to continue a new tradition of annual meetings of children at the beginning of the new school year at Prague Castle. This year, children from other Visegrad 4 countries: Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary will also participate in the project and arrive at Prague Castle. Children from Italy, which will preside over the European Union, are also involved in the project. In total, more than 800 children are participating in this year's Playful Architect. The exhibition of the best children’s works from Playful Architect 2014 will be presented not only in the Czech Republic but also abroad in the following year (2015), for example in Bratislava, Tel Aviv, or Paris.