What the conference at the Open University in 2003 (please see our Conference Report) clearly demonstrated is that the power of the dolphin, to influence our senses and sensitivities, can be recreated in very many different ways using art and dolphin images. This in fact is just what has been happening in the Czech Republic where floating silk panels decorated with images from Horace Dobbs’ Dilo books and linked together in the form of a cocoon are being used to provide a peaceful, magical space for both healing and education.

WHY DILO?

Dilo is a make-believe dolphin created by Horace to introduce to children and adults, around the world, the qualities we all love and associate with dolphins.

Dilo is the eponymous hero of six books that start with the baby dolphin’s birth under the sea. The first book has been translated into many languages most of them illustrated by Horace’s good friend and diving buddy Richard Oldfield, otherwise known as Rico.

In the second book in the series Dilo meets the Terrible Twins, Debra and Robin, who subsequently have many adventures with their mischievous dolphin friend who just can’t keep out of trouble.
Dilo has a near death experience when an oil rig catches fire in Lighthouse Bay. After that Dilo decides to move on. When a suckerfish named Rema sticks herself to Dilo and he can’t get rid of her, Dilo sets off with his unwanted passenger for more adventures to The Isle of the Gods.

All six of the Dilo books are based on Horace’s real life experiences with solitary dolphins that seek out human company (Horace calls them Ambassador Dolphins) and his own innumerable diving adventures around the British Isles and in far away locations such as the Galapagos Islands.

Dr Horace Dobbs, a medical research scientist, has shown that dolphins can have a powerful and beneficial influence on those with neurological problems such as clinical depression. They can also help children. One of Horace’s most remarkable findings, however, is that these benefits are not confined to encounters with live dolphins.

The special ability that dolphins have to stimulate the human mind can be captured and recreated with dolphin stories and images in many forms of art.

A Dolphin Dreamtime CD, based on Australian Aboriginal lore, for which Horace created the term “Sound Pill”, has been extensively researched and shown to benefit over 70% of those with emotional and neurological problems that are difficult to combat with orthodox medical treatments. A completely different study in a school with a class of youngsters with learning difficulties, who vehemently declared that they did not like reading, showed a complete reversal of attitude when they were introduced in a fun way to Dilo stories, illustrated with articles such as wet suits and sea shells as they appeared in the book they were reading in class.

Film and television are arguably the most powerful means of recording events, passing on the news and providing evidence of what happened. Indeed, without the film Ride a Wild Dolphin that Horace made with YTV in 1976, which showed his encounters and friendship with a totally wild dolphin under the sea, most people at that time would not have believed such a close relationship was possible.

Since then Horace has made films of most of the major breakthroughs in his endeavours to explore and understand the unique role that dolphins can play in our lives. The Dolphin’s Touch, for instance, produced irrefutable evidence that dolphins can help those suffering from clinical depression.

Horace knew that another step forward in our understanding of the human/dolphin bond was underway when he learned of Valpurga Hozáková’s valiant attempts to capture the essence of dolphins in what she charmingly called a “cocoon” and apply it to education in the Czech Republic. This was happening at the same time that Ray Woodward was putting together his Dolphin Arts Project in Yorkshire.

It was time to bring the two team leaders, Ray and Valpurga, together. And that indeed, was what was arranged. Valpurga and three colleagues from the Czech Republic came to England to participate in Ray’s Dolphin Arts Project from 27th - 30th June.

When Horace feels that another big breakthrough is underway his first response is to record the event on film. So before the Czech team arrived, arrangements were made for a film crew from Fairview Studios to cover the Czech’s visit and to supplement their film with images captured by Terry Connell and others.

At the same time Horace drafted a treatment for a film provisionally entitled Dilo Goes to School.

DOLPHIN EDUCATION RESEARCH PROJECT
(DERP)

Expanding human potential

DILO GOES TO SCHOOL will be a continuation of the IDW long term Dolphin Education Research Project (DERP) that commenced in June 2002.

The aim of DERP is to provide scientific evidence to support the introduction of dolphin stories and dolphin related activities into teaching with the ultimate objective of helping children of all abilities achieve their full potential.

In addition DERP aims to create awareness of the lifestyle and vulnerability of dolphins and the need to protect them.

Dilo, IDEAL (Integrated Dolphin

Education and Learning) and Delfino

Along with the Dilo Books, The Delfino Project has produced a package for teachers including books, colouring books, pictures, music, CDs, games etc.

Valpurga Hozáková/The Delfino Project was inspired by Horace’s Dilo books and the IDW ideology. Delfino works internationally with others in the field of music, art and drama. With the help of Giovani Bearzi, an Italian environmentalist http://www.tethys.org/giovanni_bearzi.htm , they have produced a colouring/drawing book, which he has had translated into twelve languages and are supplied free, which are not only being used by teachers in the Czech schools but can also be taken home to encourage more interaction between parents and children.

So, Dilo is living in different environments, connecting with people from around the world. There is no sea in or around the Czech Republic so it is expected that people will really relate to this project Based on the first book in the series by Horace Dobbs, Dilo and the Call of the Deep, the colouring sheets will create many opportunities to relate to dolphins. The options seem endless.

It is hoped that this will allow children and teachers to connect to all aspects of the project, including education, environment and cultural cohesion.

The package includes:

1. A CD electronic copy of the Dilo Books

2. A CD photo gallery of the Montessori and Waldorf (Steiner) school pupils working with Dilo

3. Saras Vlke (Germany) colouring book

4. Dolphin shapes for craft/colouring work

5. A pack of “dolphin” cards

6. A dolphin based learning game

7. Giovanis working book - free download http://cetaceanalliance.org/dolphinfriends

In addition to being placed in schools, the public are able to purchase the Dilo books online from the Dolphin Shop and Delfino http://www.delfino.cz/ . The first book Dilo and the Call of the Deep is also available in electronic form in order that it may be used as a language book and all languages can be produced electronically.

The Dilo Books are available in English, German and Czech. Valpurga reported that she has now been requested to translate the books into Slovak and Russian. The Ministry of International Relations in Bulgaria have also enquired about a Bulgarian version.

In addition to the writing, a music therapist, Ren Krl, (working in a home for people with learning difficulties) has composed some music to accompany the stories. This has now been taken up by a Slovakian conductor, working in Cape Town, who has offered to arrange this into a symphony.

It is proposed to incorporate an event to publicise all these productions to run concurrently with the 2012 International Conference to be held in Prague.

DILO CLUBS will be set up for children with different educational needs in areas with different environmental problems. It is envisaged that exchange visits will be arranged between Club members - not just nationally but also internationally.

For more information, please see July 2010 Special Edition Newsletter. Click here