Festival of Flight animates the skies at the Ismaili Centre, Aga Khan Museum and Aga Khan Park

The weekend was filled with aerial themed activities. Workshops hosted by the Ontario Science Centre allowed children to learn about principles of flight as they created their own flying objects including origami paper birds, paper kites and planes. An exciting up-close demonstration allowed children to come face to face with live birds of prey in the Aga Khan Park.

 

On the patio of the Ismaili Centre Social Hall, kids (and parents) were captivated by water rockets that were propelled by pumping air into a bottle of water — and getting soaked in the process!

 

One of the most endearing activities at the festival took place in the Ismaili Centre Atrium Lounge where acclaimed artist Faisal Anwar had installed the multimedia art project Up in the Sky High 2016. The art showcased the Toronto skyline and eco-friendly white balloons, inviting viewers to experience the many faces of the sky above us.

 

Children of all ages made wishes before releasing their flying origami bird — propelled upwards by a balloon — into the heavens. Storytellers recounted mythical tales from the conference of the birds, and held the attention of adults and children alike.

 

The Park was alive with the sounds of drummers from the Maracatu Mar Aberto Brazilian band and the mystical folkloric music from the deserts of Rajasthan by the band Rajasthan Josh.

 

The event was hugely popular with kids and parents, with entertainment for the entire family, food stalls in the park, and movies, arts and crafts activities at the Aga Khan Museum.

 

The Festival of Flight is part of a signature partnership in the City of Toronto’s Cultural Hot Spot Program.