After a decade long celebration of performing arts from across the globe, Ryan Foundation presents the 12^th International Children's Festival of Performing Arts (ICFPA), from January 4 to January 7, 2013. The festival will revolve around the theme 'One World for Children', aiming at amalgamation of cultures to establish a stronger bond between the young cultural ambassadors from across the globe.

The festival will kick-start with an opening parade from the Ryan Global School, Andheri (West) on January 4, 2013 at 10:30 AM. With over 12,000 children from Mumbai and over 400 students and artists from 18 countries participating, the festival aims to bring forward global identity and broaden the horizons of understanding of different cultures through dance, drama and workshops.



The festival will be hosting children from Bangladesh, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iran, Italy, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Romania, Russia, Thailand, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Zambia.

The festival is hosted by Ryan Foundation, founded by Chairman Dr. Augustine F. Pinto and Managing Director, Madam Grace Pinto. An initiative as distinctive as ICFPA enables children from various cultures to come together and showcase their unique talent in form of dance, drama and workshops. With ''One World for Children'' as the underlying theme of the festival this year, we have opened a stage to all the participants to utilize this platform to the best of their potential, interact with participants from other countries and share their experiences. I wish all the participants the very best and hope that it will be an enriching experience for everyone," said Managing Director, Madam Grace Pinto.

The opening ceremony will be a magnificent event, encompassing a wide variety of performances. Diplomats, Socialites, Bureaucrats and other eminent personalities from various walks of life will be present at the ceremony.

Date: January 4, 2013
Time: 6:30pm
Venue: Shanmukhanand Hal, Sion, Mumbai.

An Opening parade will be carried out with all the national and international participants. Children of the world will walk together, hand in hand, with flags of all the nations flying high. It will be a colorful extravaganza as circus jugglers, acrobats and other entertainers will join this cosmopolitan march. The parade will be carried out on January 4 2013, at 10:30 am from the Ryan Global School, Andheri

Around 25,000 viewers are expected to fill three of the city's venues where the festival will take place- Shanmukhananda Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Auditorium, Mysore Association Hall & Ryan Global School, Andheri

Utkarsh Marwah, Festival Director adds "Politics divide and Arts Unite. The best evidence is the popularity of Pakistani artists in India. Today we need forums like these where artist can collaborate and explore various genres of the performing arts. Children are the future of any nation and its best to catch them young and make them experience the unity in diversity. Let the children of the world enjoy the celebrations of oneness."

The 12th edition of ICFPA is open to all from January 5 to 7 2013. Seating on a first come, first serve basis. If auditorium is full, entry will not be permitted.

For schedule and more details visit at www.ryanicfpa.com

*Mumbai Theatre Guide takes no responsibility for change in schedule.