International Children’s Book Day
On April 2, 1967, International Board on Books for Young People identified Andersen’s birthday as “International Children’s Book Day”. In addition, the highest prize in the world’s children’s literature every two years - Andersen Literature Award, is also presented on this day.
On March 23, 2007, with the support of the Ministry of Education and the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League, Chinese Board on Books for Young People (CBBY) and 中国儿童读物促进会 introduced International Children’s Book Day to China and set Chinese Children’s Reading Day to help Chinese children to be on the same starting line with international children so as to promote Chinese children’s reading, lead their growth, advance education and teaching reforms, improve national quality, and build a harmonious society.
Andersen’s fairy tales have been accompanying the childhood of countless children all over the world since their birth. They have also put on imaginative wings for children and accompany them to grow up happily, and reading fairy tales has become the most beautiful memory of children’s childhood as well.
Statue of Andersen
Bronze Statue of Mermaid
When it comes to Andersen, Denmark must be mentioned. Denmark has only a population of 5.6 million, but has achieved 13 Nobel Laureates. Denmark is one of the most developed countries in the world, leading the world in clean energy, life sciences, modern agriculture, electronic communications, and innovative design, etc.
Thus, Mr. Dong Ruixiang, who had been living in Denmark for many years, came up with an idea in the summer of 2015: to establish International Kindergarten College in Denmark and learn Danish advanced methods and ideas for preschool education.
Once this idea was proposed, it was recognized by Mr. Niu Gensheng, founder and Honorary President of our Foundation. Then “走进安徒生童话世界 - Lao Niu Kindergarten Teachers Development Project” was initiated with our Foundation’s donation of 2 million yuan.
Past training
This project (Phase III) will be implemented in Denmark from May 13th to 26th. At that time, more than 20 excellent teachers selected nationwide will jointly enter Andersen’s fairy tales world and explore the fairy tale kingdom – they will learn and experience Denmark’s advanced concept and educational methods for preschool education in order to promote and enhance basic education in China and train more outstanding preschool education talents with a global perspective for China.
So far, this project has been successfully implemented in two phases. More than 40 outstanding kindergarten teachers from 12 provinces and cities including Beijing, Shenzhen, Fujian and Xi’an have been to Andersen’s fairy tale world to explore the sources of Danish happiness.