The world through children’s eyes

Art to marvel at and make you think

To mark the start of the centenary season, paintings by children from all over the world are on show in the Erholungshaus. The exhibition features a selection of the best entries to a children’s painting competition staged by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). Bayer has been a competition partner since 2004.

This painting by Charlie Sullivan, 12, from England won first prize

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This painting by Charlie Sullivan, 12, from England won first prize

Children from all over the world provide a colourful, yet thought-provoking prelude to the centenary season. At the Erholungshaus Bayer is presenting a selection of the best pictures entered for a worldwide children’s painting competition on the subject of climate change. The competition was organized jointly by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Bayer. “These pictures are messages to the whole world,” said Nikolas Kerkenrath, head of the Bayer Cultural Affairs Department. “They express children’s thoughts and feelings about climate change both succinctly and imaginatively.” The competition winner was twelve-year-old Charlie Sullivan of Britain. Her picture shows a map of the Earth on an umbrella that is about to blow away in a storm.

Small art works on tour

The children’s pictures will be on show for the first time in Leverkusen on August 27, to mark the opening at the Erholungshaus of the international Youth Environment Conference which Bayer also initiates on a regular basis jointly with UNEP. The exhibition can also be seen in the Erholungshaus foyers on August 31 and September 1 and 9 during the opening events of the season. During the course of the season the pictures will also be shown at BayKomm and other Bayer locations.

Long-standing cooperation

Bayer has been involved since 2004 in joint projects with UNEP for children and young people around the world. One is the annual painting competition that is always geared to World Environment Day. Each year around 10,000 children from 100 countries take part in the competition, which UNEP has staged since 1991.