Romanian children paint their way into the Guinness Book of Records for UNICEF 60th
Romania celebrates 60 years of UNICEF in record style November 18, 2006, Bucharest - On Saturday, November 18 2006, UNICEF Romania and the students of Nicolae Tonitza Art School made their way into the Guinness Book of Records with “the longest painting made by children on canvas”. The canvas measured 3,464.1 metres in length, and was confirmed as a new world record by Guinness World Record Ltd representative, Andrea Banfi. “There are records everywhere in the world ... but this time, the optimism and the passion of the children took me by surprise” - Guinness World Records Representative The event took place in an aeroplane hangar at Romaero Baneasa, and was attended by 1,500 children. The painting, the outcome of two months of hard work, was laid out on the runway in front of the hangar in an operation that took more than 12 hours. The students of Tonitza Art School, together with hundreds of other children from all over Bucharest continued to paint until the very last centimetre of canvas was covered.
“Today’s event is under the banner of UNICEF’s 60th anniversary and is of great significance to us because it is an event made together with children,” said UNICEF Representative in Romania, Pierre Poupard. “Once we reached this new world record we obtained a new recognition for Romania, whose ambassadors are, in this case, these talented children. The canvas is painted with flowers, full of the colour and the warmth of the children’s souls. I seize the opportunity to thank everyone who helped us and who have made this successful event possible,” added Pierre Poupard, after the world record was broken. “I was surprised by the talent and the ambition of the children of Tonitza High Scool who wanted so much to be in the Guinness Book of Records” said Andrea Banfi, Guinness World Records Ltd. Representative. “There are records everywhere in the world and enthusiasm can also be found everywhere, but this time, the optimism and the passion of the children took me by surprise,” she added. The Romanian Prime Minister, Mr Călin Popescu Tăriceanu, together with his family attended. The entertainment and atmosphere equalled the event – there was music, balloons, fairy tale characters, as well as body painting sessions and gifts from the event sponsors. UNICEF Partners for the “world’s longest painting by children on canvas” event are the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry of Culture, the Nicolae Tonitza Art School, Romaero Baneasa and ArCub. Radio ItsyBitsy were the media partner and Nicola Porter Novelli PR Agency assisted in the organization and the promotion of the event. Other private sector sponsors were: Carrefour, Prigat, Metro Cash&Carry Romania, Colgate-Palmolive, Stage Expert, Impressions, Kasper Events. ### UNICEF has been present in Romania since 1991, offering assistance to the Romanian authorities and civil society to create a favorable environment for children by developing health, nutrition, education and protection programmes. Lately, UNICEF has begun a series of fund-raising activities for the benefit of disadvantaged children in the country. The response of both international and local companies has been very quick and very supportive. The Nicolae Tonitza Art School was established in 1949. Throughout the years, the value and creativity of the school’s students has been rewarded by national and international prizes, as well by invitations to major international exhibitions. Currently, the School has 800 students and runs 12 workshops in various art crafts. For futher details, please contact: Codruţa Hedeşiu, UNICEF Communication Officer, Iulia Miron, PR coordinator
Celebrating UNICEF at 60 in CEE/CIS Macedonia: Post Office issues a special postage stamp to mark 60th anniversary of UNICEF Romania: Children celebrate UNICEF 60th in record style Serbia: Remembering the past and looking towards the future [Story and photoessay] UNICEF at 60 UNICEF at 60: A brief look back, and ahead With video compilation of great moments from UNICEF's first 60 years Secretary-General's message to the Special Commemorative Meeting of the General Assembly for the 60th Anniversary of UNICEF Related links |
