Sesame Tree Fosters Openness and Respect in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland’s locally produced version of Sesame Street debuted on BBC Two Northern Ireland on April 5, spreading the messages of honesty, respect for diversity, and mutual respect that Sesame Street has shared with American children since 1969.

The program, produced by Sixteen South, presents two new Northern Ireland Muppets, Potto and Hilda, who live in a “question tree” and love to answer children’s questions. Children from all over the country send their questions in to the monster and the Irish hare, who reward the children’s natural curiosity with well-researched answers to their questions.

Aimed at three- to six-year-olds, the show carries an underlying message of sharing and openness, and features live-action films that introduce children to their peers and show the diversity of Northern Ireland from a child’s perspective.
 

Sesame Workshop president and CEO Gary E. Knell is looking forward to watching Sesame Tree unfold over the coming season.  

“Given the positive and wide-ranging developments that have taken place over the recent years, it’s a tremendously exciting time to be working in Northern Ireland,” says Knell.

The show seeks to show children positive images of children just like them, while emphasizing a range of objectives including valuing diversity, developing problem-solving skills, and becoming aware of our common humanity.

Sesame Workshop worked with local partners to produce Sesame Tree, including Sixteen South, BBC Northern Ireland, and Queen’s University.

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