The Picnic day

It is no accident the day both the children and adults look forward to most is the picnic day which is organised on the day before the last day of the meeting. Maybe it is too much to say 'organised' since it is the day which provides the possibility of abandoned relaxation without any restrictions. Fortunately the weather was kind to us on each of the four meetings so far and there were scorching days on all the stew-pot parties. The best programme of the day starts late in the morning and lasts until the evening. Joint dance, tug-of-war, walking on stilts, and wrestling are all very popular but water, cannon is the most popular of all. Its story is known by even those who have never experienced it themselves, only heard of it. At the first Meeting we asked for a fire-engine from the Hungarian Army, from the airport to be there in the woods in case there was a fire. Luckily there was no fire at all but it was a very hot day and one of the soldiers having seen the parched string of children decided to cool them down and he set the water cannon into operation. It was such a success that they had to go and refill the tank every half an hour. If anyone had the chance to see how children are waiting in front the water cannon they would never forget it. There are young and old alike standing under the jet of water wearing their bathing suits, shorts, T-shirts and later when they become dry they would come and look for the return of the engine. The water cannon was met with international success. Soon after the first Meeting there was a commentary on Vienna radio and Novi Sad as well saying that in Kecskemét the most peaceful water cannon of Europe had been introduced. Two years later the teacher of the Czech group wondered: 'Is it what people were so afraid of in Prague?'