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Once in a Lifetime. ..Times Two

by TEODORA LAZAR

over the Atlantic Ocean, traveling alone for the very first
time. On my way, I realized that as long as your motiva-
tion exceeds your fear, you are unstoppable.
When the skies finally took me to the WCF for the
second time, I had the unique chance to speak on the
world stage, right in front of The White House. The
workshop I organized, ”Painting of Singing Birds”, had
over 100 participants, made up of some of the most
talented and creative children on earth. I was happy to
They say that the best things in life happen only once. see the shapes painted at my workshop worn with pride
The World Children’s Festival is one of the most relevant by the young artists in the following days. The speeches I
examples of ”best thing ever” for me. It seems surreal prepared for the festival gave me the chance to share my
every time I retell it. Winning the 4th Arts Olympiad in experience, revealing how art changed me and how I view
2011 proved to me that being passionate about something every artistic opportunity as a way to evolve. I admit most
and working hard is the recipe to what people call suc- of my journey toward my goals is still to come, but step
cess. Passion for art was not something I chose, but rather by step, I am building my own way. Some steps might be
something that chose me at some point in my life, and insecure and some decisions may not be the best ones, but
has shaped me ever since. The moment I stepped on the I am sure that action, hope, passion, and enthusiasm can
National Mall and saw the 4th World Children’s Festival influence our path in a great way. Once again, Euro-Asia
unfold in front of me, all my insecurities and fears of be- Promotion and Cultural Foundation (ICAF national part-
ing in that new place faded away. I realized that it wasn’t a ner) and the County Council of Maramures trusted me to
competition of talents anymore, it was a world of chil- represent Romania at the WCF. When I returned home,
dren, a place of knowledge and - most of all - a nation of the media became interested in my story. Many newspa-
friendship. The WCF helped me evolve as a young artist. pers published stories about the WCF and the photos I
Once I came home, I was more than happy to share my had taken. I was invited to a TV show to talk about my
story and began encouraging talented children to partici- accomplishments at the festival. This coverage had an
pate to the next Arts Olympiad. extraordinary impact. Many talented children, discour-
Imagine my surprise when, a few years after the event aged by the insecure life of artists today, gained courage to
that changed my artistic and personal life, I was given the use their imagination to dream of perfection and work to
chance to represent Romania once again by participating make it happen.
in the 5th World Children’s Festival as an ICAF youth The outcome of the WCF was more than just a festi-
board member and workshop leader. Since I am fascinated val. Hundreds of children discovered that art, education,
by Romanian traditional crafts, I chose to teach one of and friendship are key values of an ideal world. As for
my dearest handicrafts, painting on ceramics. Not only me, I realized that no experience is the same, regardless of
does this technique add beauty to ceramic forms, but it how often it is repeated. Now each time I have to make a
also shows us that no matter how much the world has choice about my future, I choose art every time.3
changed, we still find joy in things we helped create. Luck-
ily, the County Council of Maramures was very open to Teodora Lazar was a winner of the 4th Arts Olympiad
my ideas and fully supported my participation at the 5th and is a current ICAF Youth Board Member.
WCF. What awaited me was a long and terrifying flight

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