A year full of children's laughter in the Principality of Liechtenstein

A year has already passed since two artists of the Theodora Foundation started their activities at the Special Education Centre of the Principality of Liechtenstein (hpz).

Once a month, they visit the students of the Special Education Day School as part of the Theodora Foundation’s programme called «Mr and Mrs Dream». In the morning, after the first break, it’s time for the visits of «Firlefanz» and «Föhn», alias Charlotte Engelbert and Martin Kaufmann, in Liechtenstein. The professionally trained artists go from class to class, providing the children valuable moments full of laughter and fun. With their humorous, yet sensitive approach, «Mr and Mrs Dream» transform each lesson into a colourful fantasy world, by means of music, balloons, magic tricks and funny anecdotes.

Visitors enjoy popularity

«The children and teachers are always looking forward to these visits. It gives everyone a welcome and much-needed break from the school day», explains Verena Ramsauer, Head of the School and Therapy Department and a member of the hpz management team. «It’s not uncommon for parents to report to teachers that their children are talking at home enthusiastically about the artists’ visits.» Since the visits of the duo are so popular, even the swimming lessons have been postponed, so that even more children can also benefit. 

As soon as lunch is over, Firlefanz and Föhn also spend the lunch break with the children, bringing laughter, amazement and beaming faces to the schoolyard. «It’s great to see how the children are spending time with them to learn magic tricks, to have fun together or just to enjoy the presence of Firlefanz and Föhn», says Verena Ramsauer.

Christian Hausmann, managing director of the hpz, comments: «The Theodora artists brings joy, lightness and emotional warmth into the everyday lives of our students by playfully addressing their individual needs. Through non-verbal communication, facial expressions and humour, they promote social interaction, self-confidence and creative expression. Their empathetic and light-hearted nature helps to reduce anxiety, stress and creates a positive emotional connection. We couldn’t imagine our school without the activities of the Theodora Foundation. They have been an all-round success!»

Charlotte Engelbert, who takes on the role of Firlefanz during her visits, is also pleased with her visits over the past year: «The often quite stormy and loving greetings on the schoolyard are always a nice way to start the day at the hpz», says the artist. «What I really appreciate about our visits is that we meet the children regularly over a long period of time. This way, we get to know them better and better, we know what they enjoy (e.g. whose absolute favourite song is Bella Ciao and who loves to fish out the fish from the carpet pond). We can also experience how they grow and get older and maybe enjoy new things.»

How it all started

The Theodora Foundation and the Special Education Centre of the Principality of Liechtenstein (hpz) initiated their collaboration in April 2023 with a pilot phase. These first encounters with the Theodora artists and the children of the Special Education Day School were so successful that regular visits by «Mr and Mrs Dream» have been incorporated into the hpz programme as permanent. In 2024, «Mr and Mrs Dream» have completed 113 hours of visits at the hpz.

About the Theodora Foundation

The Theodora Foundation was established in Switzerland in 1993 by the brothers André and Jan Poulie to support the well-being of children in hospitals and specialist care centres. Our 76 specially trained Giggle Doctors visit children in 32 hospitals, 28 specialist care centres for children with disabilities, and a children’s hospice in Switzerland on a regular basis. With more than 115,000 visits per year, Giggle Doctors open a window into a child‘s imagination, providing moments of joy, comfort, and light-heartedness.

The Foundation is recognised as serving the public interest. It finances its activities exclusively through donations and corporate partnerships and does not receive any state subsidies.

About the Special Education Centre of the Principality of Liechtenstein (hpz)

The hpz was founded in 1967, with HSH Princess Gina of Liechtenstein taking on the role of President of the Association. The hpz is divided into four areas: school, therapy, workshops and living. The school area is divided into the Special Needs Day School and the Speech Therapy School. 

The Special Needs Day School is a practical, hands-on school that aims to achieve the highest possible level of independence for its students in order to ensure that they can cope with everyday life as well as possible. The Speech Therapy School, as part of the Special Needs Day School, includes the speech therapy kindergarten and the speech therapy classes. It offers specialised support to pupils with speech and language development delays and speech and language disorders.