With the aim of providing a platform for the young people of Fermanagh to share their creative ideas, talent and the burning issues that are important to them, the Inside Outside Youth Festival took place from March 21 to 31, and once again proved a great success.

Organised by Dylan Quinn Dance Theatre (DQDT), this year’s festival theme was ‘Belonging’. Established in 2020 during the pandemic, many festival events had previously taken place online; however, this year, the festival had a physical hub located at East Bridge Street, Enniskillen where many workshops were held and well as providing a space for young people to drop-in.

Talking about the success of the Festival Hub, DQDT Chair Sally Rees said: “It was wonderful to be in the heart of the town, and we would like to thank Noelle [McAloon], at Enniskillen BID for their support, which enabled us to have a hub at East Bridge Street.

“Dylan really enjoyed people popping in to say hello and share their thoughts on what ‘Belonging’ means to them.”

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The festival, whilst small, was keen to offer a range of creative opportunities and also chances for young people to engage with arts and activism.

“The journalism events focused on career pathways and also how to use [the] TikTok [platform] to inform and engage people on important issues.

“We were really pleased to be able to profile young local and regional journalists. Victoria Johnston, Niamh Campbell and Lee Costello, who led these sessions, were an absolute inspiration,” said Sally.

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During the festival week, young people had the opportunity to try out new forms of dance and movement in the Hip-Hop and Parkour workshops.

“Saturday was a real highlight with many dance sharings going on in around the Lakeland Forum.

Delighted

“DQDT’s community dance classes thoroughly enjoyed performing for their family and friends by the beautiful banks of Lough Erne, from our Magical Movers going on a Bear Hunt to Funky Feet and Connect Youth performing with creativity and confidence,” explained Sally, noting that the day finished with Maiden Voyage Dance’s performance of ‘Morf’, which delighted the young audience.

“It was truly heart-warming to see wee ones get up and start moving during the show, and also join in with such enthusiasm with the dancers in a ‘stay and play’ session afterwards.

“Some of the parents commented on how amazing it was that their children had both the opportunity to do dance classes with DQDT but also get the chance to see professional dance work of this calibre on their doorstep, and were grateful for DQDT for making it happen,” Sally told this newspaper.