The Baboró International Arts Festival for Children is under way in Galway with over 50 events featuring theatre, dance, music and interactive workshops.
This year's festival is very much about collaboration between performers and children.
Pupils from schools in Loughrea, Oughterard and Galway city chatted excitedly in the queue at the Taibhdhearc Theatre to attend an Irish production called 'The Maker' by Dan Colley.
The show invites audiences into a world full of physical comedy, visual surprises and strange magical experiments that teeter between magnificence and disaster.
Baboró is now in its 29th year and held in huge affection by schoolchildren, teachers and parents across Galway city and county.
Aislinn Ó hEocha, artistic director of the festival, said that the event is Ireland's flagship festival for children.
"It's lovely that we now have a couple of generations who've come through Baboró," she said.
"There are events in galleries and venues across the city and the laughter coming out, the real enjoyment and engagement of the arts in Galway has just been fantastic.
"This year’s programme is rich with international artistry and homegrown innovation, inviting children to explore the world through fresh eyes. I believe there's something here for everyone."
An exhibition for early years is taking place at the Galway Arts Centre as part of the festival.
Among the works displayed is 'First Impressions' by Cork-based artist Jane Hayes, which is about playful interaction and developing a curiosity for the arts amongst children up to the age of seven.
"It's a really interactive exhibition that has been thoughtfully put together," Ms Ó hEocha said.
"Jane has been working with her own young family to create this show, and it's lovely to have something that's particularly for this audience.
"It invites young children and their families into a visually rich and imaginative world that reflects how young children encounter art."
Baboró 2025 also shines a light on inclusive artistic practice with 'Feel The Beat', a music workshop designed specifically for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Led by Palestinian musician and educator Hala Jaber, the workshop uses visual observation, body movement and the natural rhythms we hold within us to create a joyful, accessible exploration of sound and rhythm.
Hala aims to provide a space for children to explore and feel various rhythms.
The children will also have the opportunity to compose a rhythmic piece together, if they wish.
'A Children's Guide to Anarchy' is a radical child led work by Dumbworld and Red Note Ensemble from Northern Ireland and Scotland.
It comprises seven musical animated videos that explore key elements of anarchical thinking such as autonomy, kindness and human connectivity from a child's perspective.
The short videos are bright and bold with original scores by Red Note Ensemble and songs written and performed by the children of Oakwood Primary School, Glasgow.
Hilary Morley, who is the Irish visual artist heading up Baboró, said that this production brings a number of important messages.
"Then in response to seeing these seven messages in video, they cause anarchy by making a huge, big artwork altogether, and we've had up to 40 children at the same time making art," she said.
"Now, what's the key message? The key message really is maybe to listen to our children more as they come up through the world behind us, because their message is only one of positive work.
"Of positive, positivity and love and going through the world in peace."
Baboró International Arts Festival for Children runs until 19 October in Galway.
