Ulan-Ude, the capital of Buryatia, became the latest point on the Naked Heart map of play parks, and the welcome we received there was incredible. We were greeted by two thousand children and parents on a very sunny Indian Summer day. Natalia cut the red ribbon, spoke to the crowd from the stage and spent over three hours signing autographs. Children clambered all over the ship and smaller play areas, and skateboarders showed off their skills all afternoon. It was a special opening for us, attended not only by Natalia, but by the whole Naked Heart team, and three of the Naked Heart's international trustees: our new trustee Lucy Yeomans, Editor of Harper's Bazaar UK; Justin Portman; and Jamey Hargreaves. After the opening, we were entertained by the local government who hosted a special dinner for Natalia and thanked her for making the new play park possible. We were also joined by CNN cameraman Darren Bull and independent producer Andrea Tennant, who are making a short film about the Natalia and the foundation's work.
posted by Naked Heart Foundation @ 02:13
