Performers from all over the world are preparing for a spectacular grand finale tonight of the Aberdeen Youth Festival – which has been described as the most experimental to date.
Today sees the culmination of the nine days of music, dance, song and theatre, with the International Variety Gala showcasing the best the festival had to offer.
Almost 1000 young people travelled to the city from as far as Japan, China, the USA and Jordan to take part in the shows, many of which were international collaborations.
Stewart Aitken, artistic director and chief executive officer of the festival, said: “I have to say that the performances have all been great. We’ve had a few more experimental groups and collaborations than before.
“It’s been more experimental and all of the groups have entered in to that with such an open spirit.
“We probably put on fewer shows than in previous years but the scale of the shows and the artistic collaborations have been as good – if not better – than ever.
“People come here as individuals but they go away as part of the 2014 festival – it’s the sum of the parts that makes it.”
Now in its 42nd year, the festival was created in the late 1960s by the late Blyth Major, music director of the Midland Youth Orchestra and the late Lionel Bryer, chairman of the International Youth Foundation.
Youth orchestras from all over the world were brought together using music to promote international understanding.
The first International Festival of Youth Orchestras was held in 1969 in St Moritz in Switzerland.
Due to the growing success of AIYF and support from the City of Aberdeen, Aberdeen University, businesses and audiences, in 1979 the management decided to focus this international event entirely in Aberdeen and North East of Scotland.
The Variety Gala takes place at His Majesty’s Theatre, Rosemount Viaduct, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.
For tickets, visit the AIYF website at www.aiyf.org.