Giornata Mondiale del Gioco 2012
On May 28 every year the World Play Day is being celebrated. Play is so important to all of us, especially children. Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) recognizes the right of the child to rest and leisure and to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child. The initiative is promoted by the International Play Association. In a difficult general situation, in wich playing is seen as a bad habit, this initiative brings hope. It underlines the best cultural aspects of games, a useful activity for education and socialization. The great Alex Randolph (“father” of all game authors) used to say that Games, like Arts and Music, are among those unuseful but necessary cultural activities. They improve life, they give a reason to live it. The inspiration of the World Play Day: it is free, for everybody (children, families, adults, seniors, people from any culture), and in all its forms (toys, boardgames, sports, traditional games…). So the general idea is that you play anywhere with anybody at any time. Nothing more.
The majority of this year’s events took place on May 26th. The main Italian city involved in the initiative was definitely Udine, who since 2004 organized many ludic events in the squares and streets. Anybody could take part to the games.
Furio Honsell, Mayor of Udine and GioNa president, signed a collaboration project with the UISP Association (Unione Italiana Sport per Tutti). The main goal of this Association is that more than being competitive by playing games, one should just participate and have fun. The President Filippo Fossati underlined the importance of rights, environment and solidarity.
So, nothing against a good race, a challange makes always a game a bit more spicy. But please, no obsession and extreme training to get results in the future…
Also the Association “Ali per giocare” has taken part to the event.
Studiogiochi was there with two events:
Saturday May 26th 2012 – Udine
– Math games and brain teasers (by Giorgio Dendi and Dario Zaccariotto)
Saturday May 26 2012 – San Giovanni in Persiceto (BO)
– Round table and movies about games (parents, teachers, experts)
(by Mara Silvestri, Dario De Toffoli, Sandro Sorbini, Andrea Garulli, Andrea Fiorini)