More than 900 young actors, dancers and musicians from across the globe made this year’s Aberdeen International Youth Festival (AIYF) one of the “most exciting, varied and diverse” in its 44-year history.
The week-long celebration featured dozens of performances all across the city, and drew in around 17,000 spectators – one of the best turn outs yet, according to artistic director and chief executive Stewart Aitken.
This year the festival attracted performers from countries as far away as Brazil, South Africa and Iran, as well as a great deal of local talent from across the north-east and the rest of Scotland.
It concluded in style with two special showings of a variety gala at His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday, which showcased young people from the groups taking part.
Mr Aitken said: “Saturday was an incredible way to finish off another amazing year for the AIYF.
“We had pianists, big choirs, jazz bands, traditional dance, drama and theatre – we had bit of everything, and it was very well received.
“And we had a huge finale, where we had about 300 of the young artists taking part in a massive dance to the music of an Icelandic samba band with African drummers – it was a fitting end to the festival, and was very much in keeping with its multicultural theme.”
In addition to organising the event, the management of this year’s AIYF also worked hard to engage with communities of all kinds of different nationalities based in Aberdeen, and held a special day on July 30 to celebrate their contribution to the culture of the north-east.
Mr Aitken added: “One special highlight for us was our partnership with the Aberdeen Multicultural Centre for the mela at Westburn Park at the start of the festival.
“I think the best part of this year’s festival was the sheer range and variety of what was on offer, on all sorts of levels.
“From theatre, to dance, to music, we had something for everyone all week long, and thanks to all of the young people who travelled from all around the world to be here, it was one of the most exciting, varied and diverse festivals that we have had so far.”
