PHILIP AND THE MAGIC CASTANETS

"One fine morning, Philip, a boy who loves history and adventures, climbs up a hill opposite the Acropolis. In his imagination he explores an ancient, wonderful world and makes a wish: Oh, if only I could see the festival of the goddess Athena!" Suddenly, through the myrtles, a dancer appears. She is holding castanets in her hands. Where has she come from? Her name is unknown. Then a rhythmical, musical sound is heard: Tak. . . tak. . .tak. . . Philip, in a magical way, travels back to ancient Athens. Before his eyes, the Panathenian procession will come to life again: the horsemen with their horses, the chariots, the oxen, the musicians. But what happens when the rhythmical sound from the dancer's magic castanets changes? An exploration in story form of the Parthenon frieze which introduces children to the magnificent procession of the Great Panathenaea festival, as was depicted by the renowned sculptor Pheidias and his fellow-artists.