The Buttermarket courtyard was alive with the sound of children’s laughter as Fermanagh Live Arts Festival (FLive) hosted their spectacular ‘Children’s Celebration’ on Saturday October 6.
Taking the theme of ‘Wilde Tales,’ the Year 12 GSCE class from Enniskillen Royal Grammar school performed an adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Happy Prince’ on the banks of Lough Erne. This was the first performance of the afternoon and was enjoyed by land and lake as the winners of the ‘Selfish Giant’ children’s illustration competition watched from their flotilla of little red boats. After the dramatic site-specific production, a procession was led along the riverside walk towards the Buttermarket where a whole host of activities were taking place.
‘Little Cuilcagh’ stood tall as children attempted to conquer its rugged terrain with the help of harness and belay.
Art covered the windows of one of the Buttermarket units as well as the courtyard walls, creating an open-air gallery of emerging artists. Mural painting allowed the younger artists to get involved, giving them the opportunity to be as creative as they liked. Using sponges, paints and their imagination as tools, they were able to create a giant multi-coloured masterpiece to add to the outdoor exhibition.
The second theatrical production of the day was from the A-level Performing Arts students from Enniskillen Royal Grammar School and Erne Integrated College. Through collaboration they created an adaptation of ‘The Selfish Giant’ by Oscar Wilde which they performed in the courtyard, inviting interaction from the young observers.
A2 Performing Arts Music student Rachael Fyffe assisted by Seth Palmer and Peter Watson co-ordinated the post-primary music stage. Featuring a range of musical acts from pupils at Enniskillen Royal Grammar school and Mount Lourdes, the addition of live music created a festival-like atmosphere.
Entertainment during the day also included balloon modelling from Ryan Tracey known for his appearance on Britain’s Got Talent and magic shows by Parky the Magician and his mischievous rabbit friend Bongo.
It was a fantastic day celebrating arts and culture with Fermanagh’s youth.
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