On Friday, June 5, a meeting with Ewa Chotomska, a director, screenwriter and author of lyrics for children’s songs, was held at Galeria Format (Municipal Public Library). The artist has written around 500 of them. Among the best known are “Brush, Toothpaste,” “Soap Likes to Play” and “Fantasy,” considered the children’s song of all time. – Everyone has some kind of obsession – Chotomska recalled the words of her own song. – My obsession is writing songs for children.

Piosenki Ewy Chotomskiej znają i starsi, i młodsiPiosenki Ewy Chotomskiej znają i starsi, i młodsi • Gerard Augustyn

The author of “The Kitchen Alphabet” is the daughter of the renowned writer Wanda Chotomska. – I inherited my ability to create for children with my mother’s milk – she said. – From childhood, I practiced playing with rhymes.

During Friday’s meeting, the artist told the children about her animals, including her dog Felek Pareras, to whom she devoted an entire book; about how her songs are created; and about imagination, which is best developed through reading.

Ewa Chotomska: Ostatnio zaskakuje mnie to, że coraz więcej dzieci zna „Fantazję”. Tę piosenkę napisałam wraz ze Sławkiem Kowalewskim z Trubadurów dla jego córeczek. Nagle okazało się, że jest szalenie popularnaEwa Chotomska: Ostatnio zaskakuje mnie to, że coraz więcej dzieci zna „Fantazję”. Tę piosenkę napisałam wraz ze Sławkiem Kowalewskim z Trubadurów dla jego córeczek. Nagle okazało się, że jest szalenie popularna • Gerard Augustyn

Chotomska spent her entire adult life working in television. But she is associated above all with one programme – the legendary Tik-Tak, in which she played Aunt Klotka. – I regard it as a life adventure. I never thought I would be doing what I do – she said.

Almost everyone knows the song “Brush, Toothpaste,” but not everyone knows that a quarter of a century ago dentists asked the creators of Tik-Tak to write a song that would encourage children to brush their teeth. The same was true of the song “Soap Likes to Play,” which was created “to order” for teachers.

Ewa Chotomska i... Ciotka Klotka na huśtawceEwa Chotomska i... Ciotka Klotka na huśtawce • Gerard Augustyn

Chotomska’s songs were most often performed by the band Fasolki, founded by the author of “Aunt Klotka’s Songbook.” Last year, the group celebrated its 25th anniversary. – Around 800 people have passed through Fasolki – Chotomska said. The band now includes the children of former Fasolki members, as well as the artist’s granddaughter, Zuzia.

What is Aunt Klotka doing today? – I travel around Poland – Ewa Chotomska laughs. – I have had a great many author meetings. Recently, I have been surprised that more and more children know “Fantasy.” I wrote this song together with Sławek Kowalewski of Trubadurzy for his daughters. Suddenly, it turned out to be extremely popular. I even recently created a version for adults.

Najmłodsi chętnie brali udział w zabawach proponowanych przez Ewę ChotomskąNajmłodsi chętnie brali udział w zabawach proponowanych przez Ewę Chotomską • Gerard Augustyn

The artist stresses that she misses Tik-Tak, especially intelligent children’s programmes that would be broadcast in the afternoons. – Those currently on air are broadcast in the morning – Ewa Chotomska said. – As my friend rightly observed, they are programmes for sick children, because healthy children are either at school or in nursery school at that time.

Pod koniec spotkania utworzyła się długa kolejka po autografyPod koniec spotkania utworzyła się długa kolejka po autografy • Gerard Augustyn

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