Bonjour, Hola and Guten Tag to Belfast Children’s Festival |
25/04/2008
For 10 days (23 May – 1 June 2008) thousands of young people and their families can enjoy a programme of unique international performances, never seen before in Northern Ireland, thanks to Young at Art’s, Belfast Children’s Festival. Initiated in 1997, the festival has recently been accredited the prestigious ‘ASSITEJ International Festival’– the first festival in Northern Ireland to do so.
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As a long term supporter of the Belfast Children’s Festival, Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive, Arts Council of Northern Ireland offers her congratulations, “The Belfast Children’s Festival must be commended for being the first festival in Northern Ireland to receive international status and recognition. Each year it continues to produce a festival that is every bit as fresh, inventive and surprising as ever. There is no better way to introduce children to the arts than by offering them critically acclaimed performances on their own door-step.”
Ali FitzGibbon, Belfast Children’s Festival Director said, “This award recognises Northern Ireland’s growth in the international arena for the arts. It helps the Belfast Children’s Festival in bringing artists of world standard to children in Northern Ireland and also supports its role in promoting our indigenous talent across the planet. It is a clear indication of where we see the future of children’s arts in Northern Ireland.”
This year, the festival, which follows a wind and water theme, offers the very best of International Children’s Theatre from all over Europe, such as Croatia, Germany, Spain, Denmark and as far a field as Egypt. One of the highlights, from Germany, is The Queen of Colours by award-winning touring company Erfreuliches Theatre Erfurt. This event offers children aged 4 years plus, a unique mix of illustration, shadow puppetry, video projection, storytelling and music.
Denmark’s storytellers-come-vikings, Jesper La Cour Anderson and Troels Kirk Ejsing of The Telling Theatre in Copenhagen present the epic Nordic saga Beowulf. Young audiences aged 8 years plus will travel back in time to 7th century Denmark where they will meet Vikings, trolls and a talented tin watering can. Facing each other around a Viking ship, the audience will sit close to all the action.
To find out more or to book on-line visit the website: www.belfastchildrensfestival.com or telephone the Box Office on 028 9023 0804. Ticket prices start from just £3.00. Discounted family tickets and special rate for schools and groups available.
