Official Messages
Message from the Presenting Sponsor
Tim Hortons believes serving the community means more than just coffee and donuts. For over 40 years, we have been passionate about positively contributing to the lives of our patrons with a focus on helping children achieve a brighter future.
Tim Hortons is once again proud and delighted to celebrate this spirit of community as the presenting sponsor of the 2010 International Children’s Festival. By supporting family friendly events, we hope to encourage kids to develop a sense of self-confidence in their abilities, pride in their accomplishments and a chance to cultivate a positive view of the world around them. This outstanding Festival provides a unique environment where children are able to discover and experience art, expression, culture and creativity!
Tim Hortons invites you to explore the magic and wonder of the 2010 International Children’s Festival. Enjoy the many extraordinary performances, make new friends and take time out to be a kid — after all, the International Children’s Festival is where kids rule!
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Message from Nolan CrouseMayor of St. AlbertThe City of St. Albert is proud to host the 2010 International Children’s Festival. In keeping with St. Albert’s renowned history of arts and culture, this unique Festival continues to inject St. Albert with excitement, creative energy, cultural expression and a sense of community spirit. For nearly 30 years this celebration of artistic excellence and imagination has enriched the lives of not only the residents of St. Albert, but also families from all over northern and central Alberta. The Festival acts as a cultural magnet, attracting internationally renowned performers and artists from around the globe. |
For one highly anticipated week each year, St. Albert’s downtown and picturesque river valley are transformed into a stage on which talented entertainers — including our very own St. Albert Children’s Theatre — sing, dance, act, joke, leap, twirl and amaze both the young and the young at heart. The Festival brings main stage performances, roving artists and engaging site activities from around the world right to our doorstep.
On behalf of the City of St. Albert, I am pleased to welcome performers, educators, parents and children to our fair City to enjoy one of the world’s finest showcases of children’s entertainment, arts and culture. Enjoy the Festival!
Nolan Crouse
Mayor
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Message from The Honourable James MooreMinister of Canadian Heritage and Official LanguagesOur Government knows that arts and culture enrich our lives, our imagination and our economy. We also believe that it is important to introduce children and youth to the arts, to stimulate their creativity and their personal development. This is why we invest in festivals and professional events, such as the Northern Alberta International Children’s Festival, now in its 29th year. On behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Government of Canada, I would like to congratulate the organizers of this magnificent arts celebration for the whole family. |
Notre gouvernement est conscient que les arts et la culture enrichissent notre vie, notre imaginaire ainsi que notre économie. Nous croyons aussi qu’il est important d’initier les enfants et les jeunes aux arts, pour stimuler leur créativité et leur développement personnel. C’est pour cette raison que nous investissons dans des festivals et spectacles de calibre professionnel, comme le Northern Alberta International Children’s Festival qui compte maintenant 29 années d’existence.
Au nom du Premier ministre Stephen Harper et du gouvernement du Canada, je tiens à féliciter les organisateurs de cette magnifique célébration des arts pour toute la famille.
The Honourable James Moore / L'honorable James Moore
Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
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Message from The Honourable Lindsay BlackettMinister of Culture and Community SpiritOn behalf of the Government of Alberta, it is my pleasure to welcome people of all ages to the City of St. Albert and to the 2010 International Children’s Festival. I strongly believe in teaching our children the importance of acceptance, diversity and inclusiveness. Events like this Festival, with children’s entertainment from all over the world, help instill those values in our youth. A smile is the same no matter what part of the world you are from, and as a parent, I am proud that our province hosts such a unique, world-class event for young Albertans. Special thanks must go to all the volunteers, staff and sponsors who helped organize this year’s Festival. Best wishes for a fun-filled and enjoyable event! |
Lindsay Blackett
Minister of Culture and Community Spirit
MLA, Calgary-North West
Message from the
Friends of the Northern Alberta International Children’s Festival Society
The Friends of the Northern Alberta International Children’s Festival Society genuinely believe in the value of the arts and the importance of maintaining accessibility of the 2010 International Children’s Festival to every child and family.
In keeping with the Society’s mandate, this unique Festival encourages cultural and artistic excellence by giving everyone the opportunity to explore their talents through drawing, painting, interactive games and hands-on activities. It also exposes children and families to a unique global arts perspective, with the opportunity to interact with performers from all over the world.
As a board, we are committed to supporting promotion of the Festival to businesses in our area, governments and the general public and advising on funding opportunities and operational elements that will help sustain the Festival. We are also pleased to serve as advisors to the many talented Festival staff who work so tirelessly to produce this magnificent showcase of arts and culture.
The Festival is a place where people can believe in the endless possibilities life has to offer. It is a chance to explore the world around us and to open our minds to a place where kids rule.
Festival Team Message
Welcome to a world where kids rule! One of the longest running children’s festivals in North America, the Northern Alberta International Children’s Festival has nurtured, inspired and ignited the creativity of children for 29 years. Last year’s festival attracted over 59,000 excited spectators, eager to experience the sights and sounds of this marvelous showcase of art and culture. This year, we are pleased to offer access to world-class entertainment from countries such as Vietnam, Belgium, Scotland, Taiwan and (of course) Canada.
Performances and activities will expose kids to the many facets of arts and culture through music, dance, theatre, clowning, acrobatics and visual arts. Children can sing and dance to world music, interact with roving artists, listen to stories about faraway places, create their own artistic masterpieces and realize their full potential simply by playing the day away!
As always, this wonderful Festival experience would not be possible without the support and overwhelming generosity of our partners, sponsors and volunteers. We are forever grateful for their tireless efforts and significant contributions to enriching the lives of young people in the community and region through the limitless world of artistic expression.
In a land where kids rule, the possibilities are endless!
Shelley Shields
1965-2009
The Festival team is honoured to dedicate this year’s Festival to the memory of Shelley Shields (1965-2009), wife of Stu and proud mother of Andrea, Carter and Tyson.
In her role as vice-president of the Friends of the Northern Alberta International Children’s Festival Society, Shelley enthusiastically supported children, the arts and education in the community. Shelley furthered the Festival mandate by advocating for bilingual programming and accessibility for all.
Shelley’s passion, dedication and one-of-a-kind spirit will be missed.
