Press Release

VI International Children’s Festival
Comes to an End

October 16, 2009

The Vancouver Island International Children’s Festival celebrated its 10th Birthday this year at Maffeo Sutton Park. Unfortunately it is the last birthday celebration for the festival due to financial issues including funding shortfalls in light of the provincial funding cuts.

For past 10 years more than 100,000 students, teachers and families have enjoyed the festival. Students have come to the event from all over Vancouver Island and the surrounding island communities. Some schools traveled for two days to come and enjoy the festival that was held annually in Nanaimo. “Without the event these children may never have an opportunity to experience a live arts performance especially performances from around the world.” Says President Dr. Barnabas Walther.

The organization was denied BC gaming funds for the festival it produced in June and other festivals in the province were denied for next year. A further anticipated reduction in funding from the British Columbia Arts Council combined with previous financial issues left the board with no other option than to seek council for an orderly winding down of the society.

Over the past 10 years the festival presented performances for young audience from around the world. Our city hosted artists from across Canada, the USA, Cuba, Netherlands, Antarctic, Africa, Vietnam, Australia, Netherlands, Germany, Taiwan and China just to name a few. Local artists hosted interactive workshops, site activities and site entertainment plus many students performed on the open air stage, with schools like Ladysmith Intermediate who performed every year.

The society is extremely proud of its accomplishments and thanks the community for its support over the years, but is extremely sad about the turn of events. It is a shame to lose anything that has such benefit for children and the community.