Meet our Winners!
During the winter 2023/24, VF KiDs invited children to submit their drawings based on the world of the famous fairytale that inspired Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s ballet, The Nutcracker. The young artists delved into the wonderful story of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Prince Orgeat and sent us nearly 100 drawings from all over Switzerland. Thirteen of the most successful were selected for prizes by illustrator Marc Philippin and the VF KiDs. Many of the works submitted were incorporated into an animated film by Mr Philippin that was be screened during a concert performance of The Nutcracker as part of an all-Tchaikovsky concert at the Verbier Festival. All entries were be displayed during the Festival.
One winning drawing per age category was chosen by the jury. The winners were:
Category Ages 11 to 12
Alexandra Abramova
Age 12
Comment from the jury:
“Here, the Nutcracker is seen from behind, looking into a mirror that reflects his face lit by candlelight. Light and shadow illuminate this highly original composition, created entirely in chalk.”
Category Ages 8 to 10
Sophia Reutoff
Age 10
Comment from the jury:
“In this work, we sense a real mastery of colour and an innate sense of composition, with a watercolor rendering that shows a definite talent for painting.”
Category Ages 5 to 7
Léo Ramsauer
Age 7
Comment from the jury:
“The scene takes over the whole page, showing a giant nutcracker beset by numerous mice who lose nothing by waiting. An original sense of graphic design tinged with narrative humour”.
Ten other drawings across all age categories received honorable mention. These were (in no particular order):
Thomas Dujoncquoy, Age 12, St-Léonard VS
Victoria Rudenka, Age 9, Rieden AG
Norah Carrard, 10 ans, Sierre VS
Natolia Prokopec, Age 4, Rieden AG
Léana Giordano, Age 7, Miège VS
Elina Duetschler, Age 10, Salgesch VS
Constantin Dorodnitshyn, Age 5, Rieden AG
Pénélope Rebord, Age 10, Saillon VS
Varvara Rozhdestvenskaia, Age 7, Rieden AG
Emiliya Moser, Age 10, Rieden
