About AIYF

The Festival brings together and presents the best young performers and performing companies. It is a unique multi-arts event and has a reputation for attracting some of the finest young dance companies, classical dance academies, youth orchestras, bands and music ensembles from around the world.

"One of the cultural highlights of the year"
Deputy First Minister, Scottish Executive

Over the last two festivals approximately 1900 young performers and over 50 groups have taken part.

"We will always hold our time at AIYF in a very special place in our hearts. It is truly the best event we have ever attended"
Kupalo Ukrainian Dancers, Canada

"There are some things that you just can't put into words. Some experiences change you in ways you never could have imagined."
Festival participant
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The Aberdeen International Youth Festival organises the World's premiere participatory youth arts festival, with up to 1000 participants and over 70 events during the two week period.

The Festival is also a catalyst for the creation of new work and creative activity, with an education programme and artistic collaborations with organisations throughout Scotland:
The Dance Summer School - a two week residential dance school attracting over 100 students
The Trad Music Project - a residential traditional music course, which has produced Ceol Mor Mary Garden Opera - opera created, produced and rehearsed in Aberdeen over a six week period
Grampian Youth Orchestra - a regional youth orchestra, with performances and rehearsals throughout the year.
Collaborations including:
The Home Project - AIYF produced the National Theatre of Scotland's their first performance in Aberdeen
AIYF Compose! - collaboration with University of Aberdeen Music Prize to launch a young composers prize.

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Aims of the Festival
To provide opportunities for talented young performers and artists from all over the world to work together and to perform together in a stimulating international environment.
To provide opportunities for talented young performers from all over the world to socialise to exchange ideas and to learnabout each others cultures through active involvement in an artistic undertaking.
To offer the widest possible access for local young people to performances and workshops that introduce them to different cultures and artforms
To present and help to develop and encourage work locally and internationally by and with young people that strives for a high level of excellence.

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Mission Statement
To produce the World's leading participatory festival of youth arts bringing together talented young performers and artists from all over the world to work together and to create and present performances that reflect their different cultures and provide colour, spectacle and entertainment to the wider public of Aberdeen and the North East.
To operate as an innovative arts organisation that offers access for local young people to a world-class event and that provides workshops and projects that use the skills and resources of the organisation to engage and involve the widest possible range of local young people.

For more information visit About AIYF