Children all over Donegal will have exciting new online and virtual opportunities to get creative this Cruinniú na nÓg, Saturday 13th June.
Cruinniú na nÓg is Ireland’s national day of free creative activity for children and young people up to 18 years of age. Over the past 2 years it has become a key date in our community cultural calendar – the perfect opportunity to be inquisitive and curious, to be inventive and innovative, the chance to fulfil a secret creative ambition or showcase an inner creative talent.
For 2020, amid the unprecedented challenges brought about by COVID-19 and respecting the necessary public health guidelines in place, Cruinniú na nÓg will move online and virtual.
Donegal County Council, in partnership with the Creative Ireland Programme and RTE, will be supporting new opportunities. For example Grainne McCool from The Write Stuff will host online creative writing workshops, while Kathleen Gallagher will lead coding workshops to create your own chase game or maybe just watch the premiere of “Gathering of the Force”, a short film shot in Inishowen.
Speaking on behalf of the Culture and Creativity Team, Donegal Culture Division Manager with Donegal County Council, Eileen Burgess, encourages everyone to “explore their creative potential by either trying something a little different, or spending some time sharing their creative interests with friends and family. Although, it may be a little different this year, there are lots of ways to get involved.”
Highlights on the day include online workshops in Scratch Coding, Song Writing, Creative Writing, and Broadcasting, providing great opportunities for young people to explore something new. Early booking is advisable for these events, as places are limited. There are other ways to get involved on the day. You can pop your tent up in the sitting room to tune into the ‘Alone Together Youth Music Festival’, or view a specially commissioned short film by Wild Strands which incorporates Star Wars and Tai Chi Qigong, featuring young people from Malin Head. Young people have been cooking up a storm recently for an online booklet called ‘Recipes For Disaster’ which will be available to download on the day.
There is such an array of activity taking place locally and nationally there is sure to be something for everyone. An exciting collaboration with the Design and Crafts Council Ireland, will see tutorials shown prior to the big day on how to make your own kite from household objects and fly it on the day itself. There will be live tutorials happening in the run up to it, so be sure to check them out.
Local authorities – together with local arts, culture, heritage and community groups and organisations, as well as local artists, craft workers and creatives – have always been key to the success of Cruinniú na nÓg and this year is no different.
All information on Donegal events, along with booking details, are available at wainfest.ie/family-events.html and national events and initiatives can be viewed at cruinniu.creativeireland.gov.
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