Magical night at Hogwarts, a cooperative project between Municipal Library Tábor (Czech Republic) and Chrzanow City Library (Poland)
The night with Andersen in our library was a night of fairy tales and we are glad that we could share it with the Chrzanow City Library (Poland). The imaginative librarians of that library informed their audience about our event, and recommended their library collection of the Harry Potter book series by J. K. Rowling as well as Andersen’s tales.
Like every year, we decided to spend the night in the library so that children, equipped with pillows and sleeping bags, can stay all night. The event is linked to the anniversary of Joanne Rowling and her Harry Potter books, because she is celebrating her 60th birthday this year.
“Magical Night at Hogwarts” was a night full of fun, games and amusement. Our library was transformed into four Hogwarts Houses so that children tried out magical objects they have known from the Harry Potter books. And of course they also had their own magic wand. You should have seen that, not everyone got it right the first time. Quidditch in the library yard was the best fun outside. Nimbus 2000 and Ball Lightning were among the most favourite brooms. During the lesson on spells and enchantments, we made our own volcanoes.
Not everything worked like a charm, and we must learn that too ? But making their own resin medallions, on the contrary, was a great success! The children also mastered the subject of herbalism perfectly. Almost everyone has examined chamomile tea and happily asked for a supplement. There were also topics of ancient runes, astronomy, and the care of magical creatures. Points were awarded to those who could control a mischievous bulldog. The nighttime combat game “Path Through the Forbidden Forest” was exciting for the kids, but everyone left it with a smile.
The culmination of the evening was the announcement of the winning House and the presentation of the trophy. We went to bed around eleven because there were lots of fun tasks at Hogwarts. For breakfast, the children received a real, almost English pudding, as befits Hogwarts students. To ensure that the children had a good time, besides that each of them received a letter of invitation to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which included a list of things needed for the sleepover: hygiene products for a magical smile and the necessary things for magical dreams.
Night with Andersen is an exceptional experience not only for the little guests who stay overnight, but also for us, the librarians. This year, the event was hosted in over 2,129 locations around the world and 120,289 children and adults experienced the fabulous programs.
And we are already counting down the days until our next sleepover.
Text and photos by Věra Samcová
Translation Olga Mishyna
