Festival to ignite the passion of youth

By SUSANNE TAYLOR*

Hundreds of young people are expected to turn out for an arts festival with a difference in Auckland this week.

Ignite2001 features a range of arts performers from Britain and New Zealand in a week-long festival of shows and workshops at the Edge.

James Niven, who is helping organise the event on behalf of the British Council, says ticket sales have been high but there is still plenty of room for people to come.

"There has been a really positive response, a lot of booking and an interest in the event from the media so far," he says.

One of the most popular events so far is the inaugural Michael Hill World Violin competition which attracted young violinists from all over the world. The final round on Wednesday of next week features the three finalists accompanied by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

Prominent British visitors involved in the festival are poet Benjamin Zephaniah, theatre director Benjamin Twist and BBC broadcaster Rosemary Gent.

Other events include a comic debate, exhibitions, performances and interactive workshops.

The festival opens with a powhiri at 11.30 am in the Auckland Town Hall on Tuesday June 5.

* The author is a journalism student at Auckland University of Technology.

Feature: ignite2001

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