Through Paradise, Preferably Barefoot

ČSH

The highlight of the World Hemophilia Day celebrations was undoubtedly the gathering of Czech Hemophilia Society and Hemojunior members at the Zeměráj adventure park. The medieval village near the Orlice Dam came alive on the last Saturday of April with more than one hundred and fifty participants, who enjoyed a number of extraordinary experiences across the nine-hectare grounds. Not only children could try making fabric from wool and linen, spin a potter's wheel, or learn how people slept in 12th-century huts. At the archaeological site, we sifted through sand to find pottery shards, bones, coins, jewellery, and necklace beads, and could keep some as souvenirs.

Before setting off on the treasure hunt and adventure, everyone received a map with the programme and a small snack. At some stations and in the refreshment tavern, payment was required in so-called "smíšky" (a local currency). We didn't forget about those either and equipped every participant with the local currency named after the nearby pond. And if someone ran out, they could exchange it at the local exchange office at the favourable rate of 1 Smíšek = 10 CZK.

We spent the whole day in the park, and it was a treat not only for our feet walking barefoot along paths made of natural materials, but also thanks to the many entertaining and educational tasks along the way.

The charming landscape of South Bohemian nature showed itself in all its beauty. Sheep, goats, and chickens roamed all around, blooming meadows were warmed by the warm spring weather, which lasted until dusk. Satisfaction shone from the eyes of both children and adults. Despite the challenging terrain, those with limited mobility found time for conversations in the local tavern Pod Hrází over beer, excellent mead, or other traditional specialties. Lunch was also a menu inspired by the Early Middle Ages.

And to make the celebrations truly fitting, there was also a ceremonial moment. The Czech Hemophilia Society's Annual Award for 2014 was presented to Veronika Čepeláková, a paediatric haematology nurse at Motol Hospital, a member of the Society and Hemojunior, and a long-time organiser of camps for families with children. Veronika deserves great recognition and heartfelt thanks for the enormous amount of dedicated and selfless work she continues to do for hemophilia patients.

The symbol of this year's World Hemophilia Day was a tree - a strong trunk with many branches and fruits symbolising the richness and solid support of the families of all those living with hemophilia. A model of such a tree was part of the programme at Zeměráj, and everyone could contribute their own piece of imagination to enrich it.

After last year's ride on the Jindřichův Hradec narrow-gauge railway, returning to South Bohemia was a good choice, but it's time to move in a different direction. Several ideas have already been gathered and we will try to choose as wisely as before. The decisive credit for the programmes so far goes to Novo Nordisk, thanks to whom we can prepare them every year.

Thank you.

Photo: Kačka Kuráková and Renata Lacinová