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A packed lecture theatre, beaming faces and plenty of creative energy: on Sunday 15 June, the awards ceremony for the popular primary school art competition, held as part of the ‘Natur beflügelt’ project, took place at the Museum Koenig. The competition is organised by the Alexander Koenig Society (AKG) in cooperation with the Dr Hans Riegel Foundation.
Under the theme ‘Frogs, Lizards & Crocodiles – A Visit to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Our World’, children from Bonn and the surrounding region put their visions of biodiversity down on paper. The response was once again overwhelming this year: over 2,600 entries from children in 133 Year 2, 3 and 4 classes at 63 schools took an active part in the competition. From fire salamanders and axolotls to chameleons and snakes – the variety of painting techniques and materials used was vast.
A panel of experts comprising representatives from local education authorities, the Museum Koenig, the University of Bonn, the AKG and the Dr Hans Riegel Foundation had the challenging task of selecting the standout entries from the vast number of artworks. The result: 61 pictures made it into the exhibition at the Museum Koenig, and 13 of these were selected for the 2027 annual calendar. There was also a special prize for a picture of a tortoise, which draws attention to the important issue of marine pollution.
Great prizes for children and schools
The children were invited to the awards ceremony along with their families and teachers. Prof. Dr Hartmut Ihne, President of the AKG, was fascinated by the children’s ideas and techniques. Bonn’s Mayor Nicole Unterseh (representing Lord Mayor Guido Déus) was impressed “that so many children were enthusiastic about biodiversity”. Sarah Poloczek, project manager at the Dr Hans Riegel Foundation, expressed her particular gratitude to the dedicated teachers who make the “Natur beflügelt” project possible in everyday school life. AKG project manager Ingrid Hirsch-Leggewie praised, above all, the children’s attention to detail and imagination.
The 13 main winners were delighted to receive some fantastic prizes. Along with a certificate, they received a relevant reference book and a creative workshop lasting several hours at the Museum Koenig. The school classes of the 13 children also stand to benefit: they will receive a voucher for new materials for general studies and art lessons.
Anyone wishing to take these colourful works of art home with them can purchase the new 2027 annual calendar directly from the Museum Koenig ticket office from September onwards.
The exhibition of the winning pictures is open to the public until 30 August 2026 on the first floor of the museum.