It boasts an impressive programme, from theatre, dance and puppetry to music, visual arts, crafts, storytelling and creative writing.
“It’s a vibrant programme that celebrates the creativity and talent of young artists by giving them a platform for their voices to be heard – and a place where friendships can be formed,” says festival co-organiser Wendy Wu, whose arts education company, Creative Collab, is holding musical theatre workshops as part of the programme.
Targeting audiences up to age 25, the festival has something for everyone, Wu says.
Harbour Secrets, a Hong Kong-based murder-mystery specialist, has aspiring sleuths covered with “Much Ado About Murder”, a “whodunnit” that starts with the discovery of an unknown Shakespearean work and ends in a killing.
For the younger crowd, Harbour Secrets has joined creative forces with edutainment company FezEd to host a detective mystery loosely based on a real event: the theft of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre Museum in Paris, on August 21, 1911.
Vincenzo Peruggia, a museum employee, stole the famous Leonardo da Vinci painting in one of the most brazen heists in art history. It was recovered two years later when Peruggia tried to sell it to an antiques dealer in Florence.
“The game takes place 100 years ago and is set in Paris, but we’re not repeating the whole story of the theft – we have just been inspired by it,” says Harbour Secrets’ Polina D’Aguiar.
“Kids become investigators who interrogate suspects, solve puzzles and find evidence in order to catch the criminal and save the masterpiece. Essentially they will be living their Sherlock Holmes dream.”
The festival is about more than just fun. “These interactive and immersive games keep kids’ attention and help nurture critical thinking, communication and creativity,” D’Aguiar says.
“It is not a passive experience but a performance where they are actively shaping the story, they are the moving elements … this is important.”
Budding writers can learn about the art of storytelling through workshops hosted by Hong Kong author Ritu Hemnani. In one, “Verse and Voice: Empowering the Written Word”, Hemnani will use her recently released novel, Lion of the Sky, as the basis for a discussion on how language evokes emotions.
“Verse and Voice is about empowering kids to speak from their own memories and their own worlds,” Hemnani says. “When stories are shared, it fosters imagination and bridges connections.”
Six Cat Studios, an arts studio with music and media at its core, will host interactive sessions where participants not only write and illustrate their own stories but get a glimpse into the publishing process.
BallroomBees, founded by Katya Virshilas – a champion dancer who high-stepped her way into people’s living rooms in 2009 with an appearance on the TV reality show Strictly Come Dancing – will host classes for lovers of ballroom.
Drummer Satur Tiamson will share secrets on how to master the sticks, while music education company YRock will give lessons for guitar, drums and bass. Armed with their new skills, participants then get to rock out live on stage.
On the classical front, singer Kari Ding will deliver a deeply personal performance including operas by Mozart and Massenet. It will not be just a showcase of his voice but his journey as a countertenor, a male singer who uses a falsetto voice to sing high notes like a female contralto or mezzo-soprano. It is considered the rarest of all voice types.
Other workshops will focus on activities from crocheting to DJing.
Yogis, too, are looked after. As well as dance classes, Hay will host Animal Yoga workshops where participants learn asanas (yoga poses) inspired by the animal kingdom.
“The sequence is designed to improve strength, flexibility and mindfulness while allowing participants to express themselves through their favourite animals,” she says.
Wu says it is exciting to be part of the first festival that will, in the long term, benefit the city’s arts scene.
“It is all about inspiring and empowering the next generation of artists.”
Larry Lai, general manager of The Fringe Club says: “The Fringe Club incubates community arts in Hong Kong, and supporting youth arts goes a long way to providing the right start for budding artists and performers.”
For details visit the FringeYouth Festival’s website.