Up To YOU(th) Festival returns for the 8th year
An eventful day at the park awaits with the upcoming Up To YOU(th) Festival. Performances, discussion events that break down stereotypes, an NGO Fair, a tech corner, exhibits, games and films by young creators will be part of the event on September 28 as Acropolis Park transforms into a vibrant, youthful ground. The festival doors open at 5pm with free entry for all, old and young.
This year holds special significance for the festival as it marks 30 years of operation of the Youth Board of Cyprus, which is organising the event. Returning more refreshed and inclusive than ever, with provisions for people with disabilities and activities such as a basketball game in collaboration with the Special Olympics, the festival has plenty in store.
The festival will also offer sign language interpretation at main events and guided tours, as well as install signs for those with visual impairments. Meanwhile, the established NGO Fair, co-organised by the NGO Support Centre and the Cyprus Youth Council, will host more than 70 local NGOs and organisations highlighting issues such as the environment, human rights, culture, volunteering and more.
In addition, through the Human Talks initiative, different people will have the opportunity to share their unique stories and experiences in one-on-one conversations on topics such as sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, ethnicity and more, with the goal of eliminating any prejudice towards any group.
At the festival young people will also have the chance to enter the world of technology through interactive virtual reality applications and robotic battles in an environment shaped by educational institutions and organisations such as Frederick University, European University, Cyprus Computer Society and Pascal International School.
Through the Tech Fair, visitors will get to know the Youth Board’s innovative Youth Makerspace programme and witness impressive programming and technology applications. At the same time, the GEEKMANIA exhibition will showcase amazing exhibits from retro games, comics, artists, collectable figures and rare statues. Another noteworthy activity is the science experiments corner which will be presented by Sci-Co Cyprus.
In another especially-designed corner of the festival, visitors will have the chance to watch short films by local creators, presented by the GeekOtopos Collaborative Hive as well as Queer Wave Festival screenings which will participate for the first time with a programme titled Cyprus Queer Cinema.
Much more is planned to take place including the MythBusters Quiz, asking the public to identify truths and myths about mental health, a podcasting masterclass by the popular local show HistoriKon and a podcast Q&A over at the CaveCast where participants will get to know all the details of creating their own podcast.
The list of activities is endless. A kids’ corner, animal communication and dog adoptions, a treasure hunt by the Cyprus Girl Guides, a postcard creation workshop by Graphic Stories and live performances. Taking the stage to entertain festivalgoers will be Alexis Sunder who will perform with his live band Sundercats, band On Tour and two student bands from Musicopolis Conservator. All this and much more on Saturday, September 28.
Up To YOU(th) Festival
8th edition of youth and NGO festival. September 28. Acropolis Park, Nicosia. 5pm. https://onek.org.cy/