BRAS
BRAS
BRAS – Children’s Culture festival will be held for the second time in Austurland in September and October. A number of parties participate with children and for children to create an environment for diverse and exciting artistic creations under the theme “expression without language”.
Austurbrú, the three cultural centres in Austurland, the municipalities, schools and organizations have organized and prepared diverse art events where children are at the forefront. Skaftfell Centre for Visual Arts offers elementary school children courses in Icelandic folk art. East Iceland Church and Cultural Centre offers elementary school children a series of lectures, intended to promote interest in musical performance and composition. The Slaughter House Culture Centre offers an exhibition that can be viewed as unsolved crime mysteries from the 18thcentury and an intriguing historical exhibition, as well as an ancient #metoo story. The three cultural centres will also host various open events, such as a dance course, a printing course, an exhibition on children’s book’s illustrations, etc.
The Highlight
The Highlight of BRAS will be on Saturday, September 14th, in the sports centre at Egilsstaðir. It’s a harvest festival where guests can view the results of the festival’s art events, some of which will still be running. Students from the circus workshop give a performance and some proper BRAS dance moves will grace the dance floor. Last but not least, the Town Circus (Bæjarsirkusinn) will perform their show for kids where circus magic comes to life. We’ll see a fearless stunt man, an incredible rope dancer, limber acrobats and lots of other fun things. The show ends with a disco for the kids. The Highlight starts at 4 pm and ends at 7 pm. All are welcome and admission is free.
Good Guests
We will receive good guests. Pre-schoolers get a theatrical performance; creative writing workshops are available to elementary school children and open dance courses will be held. Maximus Musicus will honour us with his presence and will perform, along with his musician pals, a musical experience in Eskifjörður, Egilsstaðir, Seyðisfjörður and Vopnafjörður.
All elementary school children are invited to the circus during school hours and shows will be held at Fáskrúðsfjörður, Eskifjörður and Egilsstaðir in close cooperation with the municipalities and schools. Austurbrú, ME and VA offer their students small courses in circus arts and the area’s gymnasts will also benefit from these circus visits.
Local Participation is Key
The municipalities in Austurland are very ambitious participants in this year’s festival and a detailed schedule of BRAS can be found in all municipalities and most villages. The number of events has increased significantly from last year. For example, the East Iceland Heritage Museum offers an archaeological workshop, a games workshop and a whittle workshop. The Fish Factory, Creative Centre of Stöðvarfjörður, offers a workshop in sound recording, young artists exhibit their works in Vopnafjörður where you’ll also be able to enrol in a talent competition.
Locals in Austurland are encouraged to participate. All of BRAS events are free unless stated otherwise. It is truly unique to experience and participate in creativity and the arts with children. To feel the joy, excitement and gusto through them is something adults should do more often because the children’s experience is sincere and honest. Now is your chance because the list of events in September is incredibly diverse and we hope to see great participation in the whole region.