Efteling launches Fairy Tale Drawing Competition during opening renovated Anton Pieck Square

On Wednesday morning 19 April, Efteling inaugurated the renovated Anton Pieck Square after two weeks of renovations, with the participation of granddaughter Brigitte Pieck and her daughter. On her grandfather's birthday, Mrs Pieck and the balloon lady opened the doors of the Efteling Museum, where a temporary exhibition on Anton Pieck has been set up. On the spot, Efteling CEO Fons Jurgens launched the Fairytale Drawing Competition for children up to 12 years old. The square, the exhibition and the drawing competition are a tribute to the founder who laid the foundations for the park's current cultural heritage with his romantic philosophy in 1952. The winning drawing will be exhibited in the Efteling Museum from 31 May.

Fairy Tale Drawing Competition

All children up to 12 years old in the Netherlands and Flanders can participate in the Fairytale Drawing Competition. Anton Pieck won his first drawing contest as an 11-year-old. He called the prize: five tubes of paint and a fixing syringe, the biggest success he ever had in his life. It strengthened him to continue doing what he loved most. With the Fairy Tale Drawing Competition, Efteling wants to challenge children to follow their passion and use their imagination. Entries are open until 17 May 2023.

The atmosphere of yesteryear

Inflowing, curious visitors explored the renovated Anton Pieck Square this morning in the atmosphere of yesteryear, with new, upbeat barrel organ music. So did Marchal Nickolas (29) and his family: "I was eight years old when I first visited Efteling and cherish fond memories of Anton Pieck Square. My children also love coming here for a spin on the merry-go-round. Good that this piece of nostalgia is being preserved." They enjoyed the puppet shows in the renovated 1954 puppet theatre or tried the water pump... Many spinned around in the restored whirligig with the musical monkeys based on a sketch by Anton Pieck or visited the Efteling Museum.

Temporary exhibition at the Efteling Museum
In collaboration with the Dutch Anton Pieck Museum in Hattem, Efteling created a temporary exhibition on Anton Pieck (1895-1987). In the Efteling Museum, visitors will discover other works of art by Anton Pieck such as etchings, oil paintings and ink drawings. On display are 26 works of art, including pencil drawings, detailed woodcuts and colourful preliminary studies and illustrations.