Children undergoing long rehabilitation can participate in a free balloon farewell at the hospital.
A special initiative at Bethesda Children’s Hospital allows more than a thousand children to say goodbye to the hospital each year in a new and symbolic experience. The collaboration between the Liget Budapest Project and BalloonFly enables children who have been hospitalized for an extended period to celebrate their recovery with a “letting go of illness” balloon ride. The aim of this program is to ensure that the joy of healing is not just a simple event for the children, but an unforgettable experience that aids their emotional recovery.
Bethesda Children’s Hospital, located on the edge of City Park, offers a special venue for young patients. Many of the hospital rooms overlook the park, allowing children to be part of the vibrant city life even during their recovery. The red-and-white striped balloon, reminiscent of paintings by Pál Szinyei Merse, has become a symbol of the new initiative, proclaiming the feeling of healing and freedom. Through this program, children not only leave the walls of the hospital but also celebrate a new, hopeful beginning.
The Liget Budapest Project emphasizes social responsibility and has collaborated with numerous civil organizations during its planning. The goal of this collaboration is to make programs available to every member of the community that contribute to the health and well-being of children. Within the framework of the project, they aim to introduce a new tradition for patients treated at the hospital that supports the healing process.
The significance of the experience during recovery
The process of healing involves not only physical aspects but also emphasizes the importance of psychological recovery. Leaving the hospital can be emotionally challenging for many children, as they spend a long time within its walls, building their daily lives around healing. The balloon ride is not just a fun program but a ritual farewell that helps children process their hospital experiences.
As part of the program, children who are on the road to recovery, such as Soma Csáky, who spent 105 days in the intensive care unit at Bethesda, can participate in the balloon ride. Soma’s experiences show that leaving the hospital evokes mixed emotions: both joy and sadness are present. During the experience, children can raise their balloons high in the company of their friends and healers, symbolizing their return to a free life.
The ritual of ballooning contributes to the psychological well-being of children, helping them understand that healing signifies the beginning of a new life. The shared experience not only allows children to celebrate the success of healing but also gives hospital staff the opportunity to join in the celebration. As part of the collaboration, specialized therapeutic groups working at the hospital also participate in the program, further strengthening the community experience.
Ballooning as a tradition
The initiative of ballooning is not just a fun program but also lays the foundation for a new tradition. The aim is to transform the joy of healing and the processing of hospital experiences into a shared, festive ritual. Thanks to this collaboration, children treated at Bethesda Children’s Hospital can enrich their individual experiences while also creating shared memories with their healers.
During the balloon ride, children can let go of the past and look towards the future with new hopes. The shared experience helps them express their feelings and makes the process of leaving the hospital easier. Ritual elements, such as the release of balloons, hold symbolic significance and represent a new beginning for the children.
The program is significant not only for the children but also for the community. During the organization of the events, Liget Budapest and BalloonFly jointly cover the costs, providing free experiences for recovering children. The goal is for everyone to partake in the joy of healing, thereby strengthening the sense of community.
The tradition of ballooning at Bethesda Children’s Hospital is thus not just an entertaining event but also a symbol of the power of healing and community. Through this experience, children not only leave the hospital but also embark on a new, hopeful future.
