Previous themes

The World Children’s Poetry Day aims at giving children important subject of thought, through the great celebration of poetry on March 21. The following topics have been proposed to children up to now :

1977-78
The Child and his world
In his surrounding, how does the child perceive the world around him ?

1979
I and the others
How to imagine "the other", the unknown and faraway friend, and to tell him of one’s friendship ?

1980
Words to chase war away
To tell the fear of children and their refusal of war, their call to adults to avoid it.

1981
Words to build peace
A call, a will to build peace together.

1982-83
The world is our home
This world, children want it fraternal, peaceful, cleansed of hatred, war and violence.

1984-85
Let’s build a world without fear
The necessity of a worldwide action to guarantee to children an existence free from the nightmare of terror.

1986-87
We sing for world peace
The children’s voice must cover the adult’s turmoil of hatred.

1989-91
The Jolly Duck and his seeking of the good news
In a dark and thretening world, to provoke a smile because of the good news.

1991-94
The Jolly Duck and the great treasure of mankind
The Jolly Duck, Guardian of this treasure, invites children to discover the cultural heritage of their country.

1994-97
The Children’s cry for a fearless world
A Colourful fraternity
We ask all children to give the whole world an example of this openess to others in a clear and resounding way.

1997-98
A smile for the world
Give to children the consciousness there exists other news than bad news. We invite them to find good news in the newspapers, on the television,…

1998-99
Carême and Pouchkine
In the frame of the centenary of Maurice Carême’s birth and the bicentenary of Alexandre Pouchkine’s one, we invite teachers to introduce children to poetry by way of these two poet’s work.

1999-2002
Drums for Peace
Today’s children are citizens of the 21st century. We wouldlike to educate them to a life of respect and non-violence otherwise they will live the same hatred, the same horrors as their predecessors. We want to unite our strength to teach children an ethic of citizenship.