Baboró International Arts Festival for Children opened in Galway on Monday with a programme of in-person events and a wide range of online activities to enjoy from home, and from school classrooms.
In light of the Government announcement to move to Level 3 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19, Baboró is now unable to present indoor events. However, Baboró’s online and outdoor programme will proceed as planned until 18 October.
This year’s festival was designed to acknowledge the bravery and resilience of children. Baboró’s programme of exciting online events will also include two recently announced Facebook live performances; one from Paul Noonan, the acclaimed frontman of Bell X1, will now perform a concert on Baboró’s Facebook page on Saturday 17 October at 3pm. Meanwhile Galway’s very own The Barceló Brothers will perform a Facebook live concert this Sunday 11 October at 3pm. The original indoor concerts were cancelled under Level 3.
Commenting on the latest Government announcement, Executive Artistic Director Aislinn Ó hEocha said: “Baboró is very much underway and while we are disappointed that we are unable to present live performances under Level 3 restrictions, we invite schools, children and families to engage with our online and outdoor programme. Creativity can help us all to make some sense of this world and that is needed now more than ever. This has been – and continues to be - a very challenging time for everyone and it has always been our determined wish to provide opportunities for children and families to celebrate together. It may be a different kind of festival this year, but the artists and all the team remain committed to sprinkling some Baboró magic.
NOW ON: ONLINE PROGRAMME
Some of the online highlights include Mountain Goat Mountain from Australian theatre company Threshold described as “A perfect way to spend an afternoon with children”. There’s also The University of Wonder & Imagination, a fun, interactive group experience for audiences 7+ that will be broadcast live into homes and schools from Belfast-based Cahoots NI. For all the online events see https://www.baboro.ie/
NOW ON: OUTDOORS
Keep your eyes peeled for temporary, nature-based art installations created by Toodlelou Creativity Lab – Colour My Life: Brighten your Day – which will pop up in three Galway city parks; Millennium Children’s Park, University Road; the Circle of Life Commemorative Garden, Salthill and Merlin Woods Park, Douhgiska Road. These installations will aim to brighten the day of those who encounter them and you’re also invited to create your own artworks to add to them. 5 – 18 October.
Coming to our TV screens, Scéalta ó Baboró is a series of readings for young children by Irish authors broadcast on TG4, filmed at iconic spots around Galway in a collaboration between Baboró and TG4. Watch on TG4’s Cúla4 Ar Scoil at 10am & 4pm from 12-15 October.
Jojo Hynes’ exhibition, She Crashes In and Fizzles Out, at Galway Arts Centre regrettably had to close under Level 3 restrictions. A virtual tour of the exhibition is available online from 8 October.
Baboró would like to acknowledge its principal funders The Arts Council of Ireland and Galway City and County Councils and the support of Medtronic, TG4, The Ombudsman for Children’s Office, and the businesses and venues of Galway City.
Baboró International Arts Festival for Children runs until 18 October. For full details see www.baboro.ie
