Le Déjeuner sur l’Herbe (The Picnic)

The title is inspired by the French painter Manet, and his painting of four friends having a picnic in the woods. No woods here, but the tranquility is the same. Lying on the gras with the hay-“fence” around you. The sweet smell of drying grass. Looking up, two sea-eagles are floating by high above.

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Saturday we invited the public to join us for a picnic in the labyrinth. Several families came, and we had a nice get-together. No need to organize anything for the kids. They very quickly  found themselves playing side by side, running, chasing, playing in and around the hay-labyrinth. Giggles and squeals of happiness were heard.

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On Friday one of the local kindergartens had visited, and even though it was raining when they were there, the teachers said it was a success. The children were running around, playing and having fun.

It´s all happened so fast, this project. Mainly because it´s weather-dependent. It was literarily from one day to the next. I called my farmer-friend Birgitta one evening, the cut the gras the next day, and the very next day, we built it. It was a short time to plan, but still people came to help build the labyrinth. And on Saturday, when the rain took a break, still more people came. It´s been shared so many times on Facebook, I almost believe we´ve struck a chord.  A chord resounding of happy childhood, traditions worth taking care of, and, I believe, the importance of the farmers´ contribution to the rest of us. We really don´t appreciate the farmers enough. They do a tremendous job!

If this small piece of temporary art can raise awareness and appreciation of the farmers, I´d be very happy! I know  that it´s already made lots of children happy!

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