A class full of 8 and 9 year olds got a special first on Tuesday afternoon. Mayor of Kuurne Francis Benoit read from his book Cor en Ona in the Green Long. A story about the past year 2020 tailored to children and with – how could it be otherwise – the fight against the virus in a leading role. “When I started a story in the first lockdown on a Sunday morning, I would never have dreamed of a book,” said the writer-mayor.
“I can still see myself sitting on the toilet that Sunday morning, typing the first story on my iPhone. And now look.” Kuurn’s mayor Francis Benoit (CD&V) does not seem to be able to fully grasp it yet, but his Cor en Ona story is indeed published in book form. The official performance took place on Tuesday afternoon in the Groene Long in Kuurne.
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“I can still see myself sitting on the toilet that Sunday morning, typing the first story on my iPhone. And now look.” Kuurn’s mayor Francis Benoit (CD&V) does not seem to be able to fully grasp it yet, but his Cor en Ona story is indeed published in book form. On Tuesday afternoon, the official performance took place in the Groene Long in Kuurne. Cor and Ona recounts the search of the small pangolin Cor and the beautiful girl Ona. “Cor falls in love with Ona, but that is not to the liking of an angry dragon. He curses the scaly creature and turns him into a tickle, an itch that also turns out to be very contagious and makes many people sick”, Francis Benoit describes the setting. . A first episode that the mayor writes down at the end of March and publishes on Facebook is immediately appreciated. “It was my humble attempt to explain what is going on in the world and with the coronavirus on a child’s scale. And apparently it worked. I decided to write a sequel every Sunday morning, about Cor and Ona and their search for a cure. against the itch. ”This quest takes the two figures, who got a face thanks to the illustrator Ayla Brulez (30), who grew up in Roeselare, around the world. And the story is punctuated with references to events and figures that played an important role in the almost past year 2020. “Obviously, I would not be mayor of Kuurne if there were no winks to my own municipality,” smiles Francis. In the end, Francis Benoit wrote 15 stories during the first lockdown, later five more were added. You can not only read these stories online yourself, they were also read and posted on YouTube by well-known faces such as Wim Opbrouck, Wouter Deprez, Piet Huysentruyt, Marijn Devalck, Karl Vannieuwkerke and Maaike Cafmeyer. “The list of readers is, if I say so myself, quite impressive. If plans grow for a cartoon, then we already have an excellent cast available,” said the writer. “Even Marc Van Ranst showed his willingness to read a chapter. And for the last episode I have a special closing song in store with Walter De Donder, the Mayor of Samson and Gert.” Last summer Francis Benoit was approached by publishing house Bibliodrome. Whether he wanted to put the Cor and Ona story in a book, along with Ayla’s drawings. “When I started this on an ordinary Sunday morning, I would never have dreamed of a book. Of course we went for it, the faith in this book is great,” says Francis. This also confirms publisher Johan Vergote of Bibliodroom. “It’s playful and simple, child-sized, topical and yet very clear,” he says. “With Cor and Ona, Francis proves that you can work wonders with imagination and fantasy in a time full of misery. It is a book that connects in this corona period and it will also remain a tender memory of a strange year.” Also national CD&V chairman Joachim Coens expresses his appreciation for the work of his party member and fellow mayor. “I would like to thank you very much for this warm initiative”, says Joachim Coens. “I insisted on being here. We are still in a crisis, but people who stick their necks out like here ensure connection at the right time.” “Do you know who I would have loved to have as a reader? Queen Mathilde “, Francis Benoit responds briefly to the presence of his party chairman. “Unfortunately she couldn’t answer my question, but I dare to think that you as a former royal negotiator have a better connection with her. I have a special edition of Cor and Ona, with a red, yellow and black ribbon around the box, for her. Can you get that to the royal family? ” With a broad smile and a clear promise to do so, Joachim Coens took over the copy.
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