NEW YORK CITY
Summer 2024
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JUNE 2024 |
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DATE |
STORYTELLERS |
STORIES |
STORIES ORIGIN |
| 06/08/24 at 11AM |
Laura Simms | The Little Match Girl | Hans Christian Andersen |
| Robin Bady, w/guitar | Bimbo the Snip's Thumb | Carl Sandburg, USA | |
| Ron Sopyla | Only One | India | |
| Megan Wells | The Flying Trunk | Hans Christian Andersen | |
| 06/15/24 at 11AM | Jonathon Kruk | Thumbelina The Steadfast Tin Soldier |
Hans Christian Andersen Hans Christian Andersen |
| Rachel Harrington | A Question of Imagination | Hans Christian Andersen | |
| Jean Hale |
The Pea Blossom | Hans Christian Andersen | |
| 06/22/24 at 11AM | April Armstrong | The Tea Pot | Hans Christian Andersen |
| Simon Brooks | The Shape-Shifting Girl | Norway | |
| 06/29/24 at 11 AM | Joy Kelly | Anansi and the Moss Covered Rock | Africa |
| Laura Packer | The Pincoya's Daughter | Chile | |
JULY 2024 |
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| 07/06/24 at 11AM | Michele Carlo | Fish Out of Agua | Puerto Rico |
| Sarah Brady | Jewels for Tears | Hungary | |
| 07/20/24 at 11AM | Regina Ress | The Beautiful Beetles of Brazil | Brazil |
| Salieu Suso with Kora Music and Laura Simms |
The Little Crocodile Boy | Gambia | |
| Eleanor Benjamin | The Little Rooster and the Diamond Button | Hungary | |
07/27/24 at 11AM |
The Duckling's Birthday Party | ||
| Laura Simms | The Nightingale | Hans Christian Andersen | |
| Cooper Braun | The Goblin and the Shopkeeper | Hans Christian Andersen | |
| Heather Forest | The Ugly Duckling | Hans Christian Andersen | |
AUGUST 2024 |
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| 08/03/24 at 11 AM | Laura Simms | My Grandmother's Garden and The Wild Rose |
Romania |
| Linda Humes | Tales from Africa | Africa | |
| with Drummer Sanga of the Valley | |||
| 08/10/24 at 11 AM | Jane Dorfman | The Five Peas | Hans Christian Andersen |
| Therese Plair w/drums | Kafir and the Water Pitcher | West African | |
The history of Hans Christian Andersen's Statue |
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More than sixty summers in New York City's Central Park |
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Fairy Tales From Around The World
On summer Saturdays since 1956, New Yorkers of all ages have gathered around Hans Christian Andersen’s statue at the Conservatory Pond in Central Park to hear his tales and other stories from around the world, told by a fine ensemble of storytellers. Celebrity performers such as Victor Borge, Eva la Gallienne, Fanny Hurst and Celeste Holm have also visited, telling their favorite stories.
The idea for the statue originated with Baroness Alma Dahlerup, then president of the Danish-American Women's Association of New York, who had for years arranged for Andersen's stories to be read on the radio. Robert Moses, then New York City Parks Commissioner, secured the 'perfect' site and the City Department of Parks and Recreation and the Central Park Conservancy have given their active support ever since. A significant share of the funding for the statue came from donations made by school children both in Denmark and the United States. Danish-American sculptor George Lober created the larger-than-life bronze statue that was commissioned in 1954, in anticipation of marking the 150th anniversary of the author's birth. Hans Christian Andersens' well-rubbed knees are ample evidence of the fun children continue to have sitting on his lap. 
The statue has become a symbol of the good relations between the United States and Denmark. Following a tradition established by her father and mother, her Majesty, Queen Margrethe II visited the statue in 1976 during her American Bicentennial trip. Other members of the Danish royal family continue to visit. In 1964, the City of Copenhagen contributed two 19th century street lamps that now stand on each side of the statue. In 1985, New York City Parks Commissioner Henry Stern, wishing to reciprocate, sent two New York City street lamps to Copenhagen, which can be seen standing in Dantes Plads. More historic information to be found in "From The Archives." |
SupportIf you and the children in your life enjoy our free storytelling sessions in Central Park, please consider making a donation to ensure the continued survival of the program. Hans Christian Andersen Storytelling Center is a not for profit corporation with 501(c)(3) status. Donations of $25 or above will receive a formal receipt.
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in cooperation with the City of New York / Parks & Recreation and The Central Park Conservancy.
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