Grażyna Hanaf: “In my work as a tour guide for foreign trips, I learned one important thing: a tour programme should be designed for the majority of satisfied tourists, not for one dissatisfied person who will file a complaint anyway, regardless of our efforts. With this in mind, I prepared the promotional meeting and presentation of my seventh publication (following my guides to Morocco and Provence) and my third children’s fairy tale. With so many different ways to spend a Friday evening, the full auditorium at Teatr Stary was a real reward for the effort that Krzysztofem Gwizdałą (the publisher) and I put into preparing this event.
Who is the fairy tale “Zaginieni rodzice” for?
- The book is for children and teenagers. The story has an intriguing plot and colourful characters, deals with first infatuation, includes a touch of horror and gives readers the chance to solve a detective mystery.
- The fairy tale will appeal to women, because it features an unusual heroine: an independent, magical, self-confident and self-assured, wise grandmother. It is high time to change the image of grandmothers in children’s fairy tales. The more such independent women appear in literature, the better. We have so much to offer the world besides the physical attractiveness so insistently promoted; this should be encouraged. Three magical and captivating women from Bolesławiec took part in the photo shoot, women who can serve as role models for how to fulfil oneself in life and face whatever life brings: Magdalena Konieczna, Katarzyna Sas and Józefina Witas.
- The fairy tale will be useful to parents. It is an allegorical story showing where aggression in a child may come from. If one looks closely, a “missing parent” can be found behind many aggressive behaviours in children. Reading it may prompt reflection on the state of our family relationships and our attitude towards parenthood.
The fairy tale can be purchased at the Agora bookshop (in the Market Square in Bolesławiec) or in the istotne.pl online shop. It will soon be available in all bookshops in Poland.
My heartfelt thanks go to Beacie Domereckiej, director of the Youth Cultural Centre, for her support and hospitality at Teatr Stary.
Grażyna Hanaf
