The first activity involved going to see the beautifully presented play 'Voyage' which was an adaption of the well known and loved story 'Gulliver's Travel' by Johnathon Swift. It told the tale of a little boy who sets off on a dangerous and brave adventure to rescue his father who has been kidnapped by a Giant. On his journey, he stumbles upon an island of little people who call themselves 'Lilliputians' and view humans as giants. The story was a feast for his eyes and every child and indeed teacher was taken into the wonderful imaginative world of the arts.
It was a superb show with magnificent special effects to create the effects of the sea, puppets to give the contrast between the little characters 'the lilliputitians' and the giants as well as the the use of traditional instruments for atmospheric music,
Following the show, we were free to have our lunch in an area of the Town Hall Theatre. We found the volunteers with Baboró to be extremely friendly, helpful and wonderful with the children. Once we had our lunch, we had a little time to spare so we went on a short nature walk which took us to the playground. We had a lovely time playing in the playground!
After the playground, our bus collected us to bring us to our next venue- Galway Arts Centre! There we got to view a short film about a mermaid, examine an art exhibition and watch another longer film about growing up. The theme of the workshop focused on how we changed and grow as we grow older. The facilitator of the workshop engaged in much talk and discussion with the children about the the theme and how it related to the films and art. The children had another enjoyable and educational experience here.
Following the show, we were free to have our lunch in an area of the Town Hall Theatre. We found the volunteers with Baboró to be extremely friendly, helpful and wonderful with the children. Once we had our lunch, we had a little time to spare so we went on a short nature walk which took us to the playground. We had a lovely time playing in the playground!
After the playground, our bus collected us to bring us to our next venue- Galway Arts Centre! There we got to view a short film about a mermaid, examine an art exhibition and watch another longer film about growing up. The theme of the workshop focused on how we changed and grow as we grow older. The facilitator of the workshop engaged in much talk and discussion with the children about the the theme and how it related to the films and art. The children had another enjoyable and educational experience here.
We have Baboró to thank for providing us with such an enriching, meaningful day of creative arts. They are clearly commited to their mission and vision statement which can be found on their website at http://www.baboro.ie/about/mission-vision and is printed below:
- To recognise children and young people as individuals in their own right and to encourage their access to, and participation in, the creative arts.
- To be an advocate for children and young people’s right to participate in cultural and creative activities and to celebrate and articulate the power of the creative arts.
- To promote the study, appreciation and understanding of all forms of the creative arts throughout Ireland and to provide guidance and expertise to educators, enabling them to develop frameworks for engaging with the creative arts.
- To organise, control and manage an arts festival for children, young people and families, to be held annually in Galway and to do all works which are incidental to organising and managing that arts festival.
