Enchanting Cologne

I've just returned from a wonderful trip to Cologne in Germany.
The indefatigable Uschi Schröter and her team at SK Stiftung Kultur organised for a group of Irish writers and illustrators to come over for their annual Children's Literature Festival.
This year it was entitled "Enchanted Ireland".





The Cathedral is breathtaking.


A visit to the Käthe Kollwitz Museum was a highlight for me.
I was dissappointed to find the museum closed when I got there, but a sweet lady, who was setting up the next exhibition, very kindly brought me in so that I got the gallery all to myself.
For those of us who admire great draughtsmanship, Käthe Kollwitz is at the top of the list.


Uschi, Ulricka and Oisín with me at the "Enchanted Ireland" Exhibition in the Altes Pfandhaus.


We were spread out over a couple of weeks so that I missed my old pals and Laureates Na nOg Siobhan Parkinson and Niamh Sharkey, but I was delighted to be able to spend some time with Marie-Louise FitzPatrick and her husband, Micheal Emberley, as well as Oisín McGann and Judi Curtin.


The best part though, was meeting and drawing with so many lovely German children, and getting to work and hang out with my wonderfully talented interpreter Caroline.