William Yip, 43, a Beijing-based Hong Kong drama director and educator, takes part in an arts festival held in Hjorring, Denmark, in 2019, mixing with his students and international friends.[Photo provided to China Daily]

"Our pedagogies and goals of education will be reformed, replaced or will evolve into new ones," he says. "The epidemic gives us time to think what we've done right and what was done wrong. It may enable an earlier evolution."

And the changing situation of COVID-19 attaches a greater global significance to the project.

"When the idea was started in February, the purpose was to encourage Chinese children and families during a difficult time," says Johansen from the Chinese-Danish Cultural Alliance. "Now just one month later we are in the same situation in Denmark and Europe.

"The world is connected," she says. "We need each other… in order to strengthen solidarity and community. In situations like this, art offers hope and deepens understanding. It brings us closer together, both as families and countries. It's an eye-opener of what is important in life."

As Andersen once said: "Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale."

Yip likes saying that drama is not restricted to stage, when he brings it to schools.

"Fine art is not only concerned about the final results," he says. "Just like in this art project, we self-examine when we are playing. Play is empowerment."