WAYO returned to our community from August 7th to 11th, 2024, for a memorable 5th edition, bringing fun and wonder for the whole family! Jamii once again transformed the historic Berkeley Castle and the Berkekey Theatre (Canadian Stage) into a vibrant, adventure-filled space, where families and children explored a diverse array of art installations and performances. The festival’s theme, “Animals' Stories,” was explored through dance, music, storytelling, installations, theatre, and crafts, celebrating animals from around the world—sheep, farm animals, bears, caribou, possums, orcas, and many more.

The 5th WAYO Children's Festival showcased an impressive lineup of artists and performances. Highlights included Les Moutons by CORPUS, enchanting audiences with its whimsical portrayal of sheep; stunning photography by Kenyan artist Edwin Maina, introduced by Matthew Krist, Troy Feldman, and Patrick de Belen; engaging storytelling by Germaine Konji with puppets from Clay and Paper Theatre; and a breathtaking performance blending shadows, dance, and sound installation with Brescia Reid (Knives Shadows), Kenyan artist Maulid Owino, and Hafsa Ismail. The festival concluded with a moving hoop dance by Emilee Ann Pitawanakwat, who shared Indigenous knowledge with festivalgoers.

At the end of the journey through the two heritage buildings, Berkeley Castle and Berkeley Theatre, families enjoyed an exciting crafting section where children could dive into the world of origami, folding paper into charming animals like bunnies, whales, goldfish, butterflies, and foxes.

As shared by attendees, WAYO was undoubtedly a summer highlight for all the young participants!

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