From Laba Arts Festival to Azulato Children's Festival

PIC: Children in a dance workshop during the launch of the Azulato Children's Festival on Sunday. (Credit: Denis Nsubuga)

ENTERTAINMENT   

                             
KAMPALA - One era of Laba Arts Festival has come to an end and in comes another.

What used to an event for adults has been transformed in kids' gala - Azulato Children's Festival, which was launched on Sunday at Seven Trees Gardens, Kololo.

As one of Uganda's oldest arts festival, Laba, the full-day annual event played host to various performing and visual arts, it was a must-attend for many art lovers.

After 11 years as a major do on the annual arts circuit, the organisers- Goethe-Zentrum Kampala, a Ugandan German Cultural Society—thought Laba's vibe,a festival that started in 2006 was waning, thus needed a restructuring.

The reshuffle saw a significant change in concept, from a general adult affair to children's festival.

The festival is designed to support children's curiosity and creativity. Children engaged in a druming sension. (Credit: Denis Nsubuga)


"We wanted something new. While at that, we thought of the kids," explained Lara Buchmann, the cultural coordinator of Goethe-Zentrum Kampala. 

"We did not find many of them, especially those focusing on the arts and interactive activities for the children," she added, explaining how they came up with Azulato.

The festival's name 'Azulato' comes from a combination of two Luganda words: 'Okuzula,' which means to discover, and 'Abato,' to mean young children.

Children having a breakdance moment during the launch of the festival. (Credit: Denis Nsubuga)

"It is designed to support children's curiosity and creativity and guide them to enjoy discovering their interests and talents," said Drichiru Kifuko, the festival coordinator.

The debut event, which attracted over 800 children accompanied by their parents, saw the young ones participate in activities such as creating a collective sculpture, mural painting, dance and music workshops,learning about robotics and digital animation.

Children taking part in live painting as one way of developing their creativity and talent. (Credit: Denis Nsubuga)

Andrew Ssebaggala, a performing artist and director of House of Talent, it is a unique concept, whose hands-on activities, performances and interactive workshops in arts and sciences give children an immersive learning experience to develop their talents and grow their self-confidence.

The edutainment affair was vibrant. It also brought together various schools, academies and organisations that work with children. They happily drummed, danced, sung and rapped, painted and draw.