Children's festival heralds 10 days of fun for familiesv

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The thirteenth Belfast Children's Festival, run by Young at Art, has been launched this week. The city's favourite family festival returns with 10 fun-filled days for children aged 0-14. With a new theme of Perspectives, the festival encompasses the very best in children's theatre, music, dance, visual art and literature.

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Naomi Long, said: "Belfast City Council is delighted to support the Belfast Children's Festival. It's now an established international event and one that we as a city can be really proud of. This year's programme displays all of its hallmark originality, quality and quirky fun, giving children and young people access to a range of wonderfully creative, cultural and learning experiences.

"Attracting audiences in excess of 27,000 to enjoy Belfast - resulting in spend of over £200,000 - it's also great news for our city's economy".

Director of Young at Art, Ali Fitzgibbon urges everyone in Northern Ireland to take a look at what the Belfast Children's Festival has to offer. From the quirky to the popular, and from theatre to exhibitions and workshops, it has something free or affordable to offer everyone. Grannies, uncles, cousins, schools, playgroups, friends and families of all shapes and sizes are all welcome for Northern Ireland's biggest children's festival.

A class of pupils from St Mary's Primary School got a taste of what's to come in this year's festival, taking part in exciting project -Cardboard Cities with local artist Caragh O'Donnell. The Cardboard Cities exhibition will take place throughout the festival in Out of Place, Castle Lane Belfast.

Other festival highlights include an official visit from the Children's Laureate, Anthony Browne who will help open the Festival on May 21 with a special free event for families from across Northern Ireland. And not to be missed Baby Rave Baby Bollywood, Charlie and Lola's best bestest play and a return to the Antrim Road's Waterworks Park which will be transformed for a fun-filled day of activities including an open air music arena, special children's market, skate park and lots of free activities.

The ever popular Festival in a Weekend wraps up a fantastic week of tip-tip children's activities with two jam packed days of creative mayhem at the Belfast Waterfront.

Rosemary Kelly from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented: "As a long term supporter and the principal funder of Young at Art and the Belfast Children's Festival, the Arts Council looks forward to another great festival programme. Now in its 13th year, the Belfast Children's Festival continues to produce fresh, innovative and entertaining events tailor-made for young audiences. We know that inspiring the imagination at a young age can provide the building blocks for a creative and fulfilling life and there is no better way to introduce children to the arts than by offering them critically acclaimed performances on their own door step."

The Belfast Children's Festival runs from May 21 to May 30. Ticket prices start from just £3.00 and some events are free. Discounted family tickets and special rate for schools and groups available. To find out more about festival events visit the website www.belfastchildrensfestival.com