Recently a Forrai Memorial Plaque was inaugurated in the 8th district of Budapest, at the street gate of the legendary Csobánc kindergarten.

‘In memory of Forrai Katalin who taught young children in this house
from the early 1950s for more than fifty years, leading them to the love of music’

Her children were in attendance: András, Kati and Tamás Vikár

It was an intimate, beautiful event. It was initiated by the District Council – and organized by the leaders who also honored this beautiful occasion with their presence and speeches. Invited guests, mostly teachers and colleagues, took part in it. A small group of teachers from the host kindergarten sang beautifully (children’s songs and an arrangement of a well known song too).

Some 5-6 year old children played singing games to our great joy and they chanted rhymes too. Then we all sang together, with the kindergarten teachers: some, from Aunt Kati’s favorite children’s songs.

Some of us, colleagues from the old days, talked about our memories.

The kindergarten staff put together a temporary exhibition of Aunt Kati’s lesson plans and books, and we could also see some of the musical instruments and puppets that she used in the music kindergarten.

Those were the days… 

Helga Dietrich