Celebrating children’s rights, Right Here Right Now! is a festival made for by and about children.
From 23rd -25th February 2023, The Ark will present the festival and on Friday 24th will hold an in-person rally with hundreds of children in Meeting House Square in Temple Bar.
There’ll be speeches and banners, flags and songs in a truly colourful celebration of children’s rights: the right to play, to participate in art and culture and the right to be heard.
But before that, The Ark in partnership with Iarnród Éireann today put out a call to invite children to share what is on their mind and to speak up and speak out about their rights. The Ark Children’s Council will consider all responses received and a selection of them will be printed on special posters which will be displayed in Iarnród Éireann stations across Ireland early next year in advance of the festival.
But that’s not all. Renowned artist / producer Elaine Mai has been commissioned by The Ark to compose a new song in response to children all over Ireland. This song will be premiered in late January 2023 and sent to schools who will take part in the rally so the children can learn it to sing together on Rally Day.
Your words could inspire other children and adults.
So children in Ireland, you are invited to think about these kind of questions:
– What do you have to say about the world that we live in?
– Do you think that grown-ups should think more about children?
– What gets your goat, makes you think or makes you sad?
– What would you change, make something good from something bad?
– If you could change anything, what would it be?
– From your schools, your homes, the future or sustainability?
– Do you know you have a right to experience culture and art?
Then get in touch, tell us your thoughts, nothing is absurd and we want to hear them all.
How to get in touch before 01 December:
Online: Send us a note (it can be anything from 1 word up to 40 words), image, video or voice note (up to 30 seconds) online at ark.ie/speak-out
By Post: Draw us a picture or write us a note (it can be anything from 1 – 40 words) and post it to The Ark, 11A Eustace St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 A590
Featured Image: Pictured at Dublin Pearse station are 11-year-olds having their voices heard, from left, Glen Savage, Aine Jackson and Sachet Swapnil Patil with artist Elaine Mai. To send in your thoughts and more info on the festival see ark.ie
Photo: Mark Stedman
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