Roola Boola Festival is launched in Castlebar

Castlebar’s much loved Roola Boola Children’s Arts Festival returns to delight and inspire this midterm break. 

At the festival’s launch, Councillor Donna Sheridan, Cathaoirleach Castlebar Municipal District and students from Gaelscoil Raifteirí and Castlebar Educate Together met with Polish Artist Tomasz Madajczak creator of Interactive Museum of Languages for Young Audiences (IMLYA).

_{Artist Tomasz Madajczak, creator of Interactive Museum of Languages for Young Audiences at the Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar  (Photo: Alison Laredo)}

The gathering was a joyous occasion, with young and old alike keen to chat and explore the art works. IMYLA is a visual art exhibition developed with children in mind. IMLYA is a creative resource that supports children’s self-expression and creativity, drawing on living and ancient and living languages to reflect on the diversity of languages in our environment. 

Each component is designed to be interactive and is accompanied by a range of activities for children aged five-12 that sparks their interest in other languages and cultures and in getting to talk about their own languages.

IMLYA was developed in 2021 by Mother Tongues as a resource for primary school children, but there is no age limit. Everyone interested in experiencing multiple languages and diverse cultures will find interest in interactions with elements in the museum.

_{Donna Sheridan, Cathaoirleach Castlebar Municipal District at the launch of Roola Boola Children's Arts Festival at the Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar (Photo: Alison Laredo)}

The Linenhall Arts Centre is pleased to present the Interactive Museum of Languages for Young Audiences (IMLYA), an exhibition of work by Tomasz Madajczak, open daily until Saturday, November 23 and admission is free. 

Roola Boola Children’s Arts Festival celebrations also include a selection of the highest calibre national and international children's theatre, music and circus shows as well as other arts events, including films, exhibitions, a multitude of hands-on arts workshops in a range of media. 

To learn more about all that is on offer for children and families across the Halloween midterm break, please pick up a free festival brochure or visit the Linenhall’s website.