The woman in charge of Aberdeen’s new international youth festival has pledged to give the performers “the chance to shout on a global stage”.
There was controversy over Aberdeen City Council’s decision last winter to withdraw funding from the long-established Aberdeen International Youth Festival, which had welcomed thousands of youngsters to the north east for nearly 50 years.
But now Amanda MacLeod, the manager of the inaugural Aberdeen International Festival of Youth Arts, which runs from July 27 to August 4, has spoken to the Press and Journal about her excitement at the new event.
She revealed the programme will be staged not just in Aberdeen City and Shire, but at a range of venues as far afield as Arbroath and Brechin.
And the acts include an eclectic range of talent from across the artistic spectrum, with musicians, dancers and choirs travelling from the USA, Australia, Russia, Ukraine and other parts of Europe.
Some of the events are being staged in unfamiliar settings, such as Old Torry Community Centre in Aberdeen, Stewart Hall in Huntly, the Salmon Bothy in Portsoy and St Cyrus Nature Reserve.
And the Aberdeen Mela – One World Day – in Westburn Park on Sunday July 29, will feature music and dance from Europe, Asia and the Americas to promote inclusivity.
Ms MacLeod said: “I think it is a real testament to the popularity of the festival in Aberdeen that so many talented youngsters are coming to the north east from so many different places.
“There is a great mix of local groups and international ensembles and I am confident there is something for everybody.
“This is the Year of Young People and we are committed to allowing them all to shout on a global stage and championing the immense amount of talent which will be on show throughout the week.
“I know we have Aberdeen in our name, but we are going to all sorts of venues and that should help to expand the new festival’s appeal to different audiences.
“We have a big presence in Aberdeen, of course, but we are also going to be in Ellon, Inverurie, Stonehaven, Braemar, Brechin, Arbroath, Huntly and Portsoy.
“And we are grateful for the backing of Standard Life, BP, Aberdeen University and Aberdeen Multicultural Centre.
“The focus now is very much on the future and these youngsters will be at the heart of that.”
Further information is available from www.aberdeenperformingarts.com or www.aberdeeninternationalfestivalofyoutharts.co.uk.
