Celebrating its 8th edition in 2025, IF: Milton Keynes International Festival is a biennial landmark cultural event, attracting both national and international acclaim.
Over 10 days, the Festival brings together worldclass performers, artists and audiences for an exciting programme of live performances, installations, family events, theatre, dance, music, visual arts installations and many opportunities to take part.
The Festival takes place in surprising and unusual locations across Milton Keynes, including parks, public squares, commercial and retail spaces. ifmiltonkeynes.org
Welcome to IF: Milton Keynes International Festival’s Schools Resource Pack
We’re delighted to welcome you to this special Schools Resource Pack, created to inspire creativity, curiosity and connection as part of IF: Milton Keynes International Festival 2025.
From awe-inspiring outdoor spectacles and thought-provoking installations to live music, theatre, dance, and poetry, the Festival brings together world-class artists from across the globe – right here in the heart of Milton Keynes. Running from 18 to 27 July, this biennial celebration is a chance for our city to come alive with culture, imagination and shared experiences.
This pack is designed to help schools and young people engage with the Festival’s themes through hands-on, curriculum-linked activities. Whether you’re crafting origami doves for peace, writing poetry about hope, or exploring the meaning of community through art, we invite you and your students to be part of this joyful, city-wide celebration of creativity.
With special commissions, interactive workshops, and lots of free familyfriendly events, there are so many ways to get involved, both in the classroom and out in the community.
We hope this resource helps and your students feel connected to the Festival, its artists, and the bigger questions it raises about identity, belonging, peace and the future. Most of all, we hope it sparks joy, curiosity, and creative expression.
Let’s imagine, create, and celebrate – together.
The IF: Milton Keynes International Festival Team
Introducing Les Colombes (The White Doves)
Les Colombes (The White Doves) by Michael Pendry will be a stunning installation of over 2,000 origami doves on display throughout the Festival at Middelton Hall in centre:mk.
We invite individuals, schools and communities to participate in this international message of peace, unity and hope.
This resource pack offers two creative activities relating to this headline Festival event:
1. Make your own paper dove
2. Write a Haiku poem of peace and hope
Both can be displayed in your home, school or community setting to be part of a city-wide exhibition.
Activity 1: Make a Paper Dove
You will need:
• A square piece of white paper (297mm x 297mm, 130gsm if possible)
• A pencil or pen to write your message
• Thread and stapler for hanging (optional)
Video instructions: visit ifmiltonkeynes.org/paper-dovemaking-at-if2025
Step-by-Step Instructions
• Fold the square in half horizontally, then unfold.
• Fold the square in half vertically, then unfold.
• Fold the paper across so that about two-thirds is folded over.
• Take the top layer only, and fold two-thirds over again.
• Now fold the entire paper in half horizontally, bringing top and bottom points together.
• Fold the “wings” diagonally so the points face the right side.
• Make the head and beak by tucking in the top left corner slightly.
• Write your message of peace on the dove.
• Staple thread through the top if you’d like to hang it.
Display Ideas:
• Create a peace wall or window installation
• Hang doves in hallways or classrooms
• Join a daily workshop and display your dove at centre:mk. Details overleaf.
Activity 2: Write a Haiku Poem
A Haiku is a traditional Japanese form of poetry usually inspired by nature. It is made up of seventeen syllables across three lines.
Haiku Structure:
Line 1: Introducing the concept (5 syllables)
Line 2: adds detail or contract (7 syllables)
Line 3: reflective thought (5 syllables)
Example:
“An old silent pond”
“A frog jumps in the pond”
“Splash! Silence again”
The old pond - the most famous haiku by Matsuo Bashō
Tip: It helps to clap out the syllables on each line
Writing Prompts:
• What does peace feel like?
• What gives you hope for the future?
• If a dove could speak, what would it say?
• A message to someone on the other side of the world
• If you start life again on Mars, what would you implement/change?
• Your hopeful message to the next generation
• What are three things a person needs to have a good life?
Sharing and Celebrating
• Use hashtags: #MKCityofDoves #LesColombesMK
• Send photos of your classroom displays to: take.part@stables.org
• Tag IF: Milton Keynes International Festival on social media
• Installation Display at centre:mk: 10am–11pm, 18 - 27 July 2025
• Light & Sound Show: Nightly from 9 - 11pm, 18 - 27 July 2025
Curriculum Links For Schools
• Art & Design: Origami, installation design
• English/Poetry: Haiku writing, themes of peace and hope
• Citizenship & PSHE: Global citizenship, empathy, shared values
Festival Events for Schools and Young Audiences
There’s a whole host of events and performances at this year’s Festival which are just perfect for younger audiences. We’ve listed a few here but head to the Festival website at www.ifmiltonkeynes.org and search Family for a full line-up of what’s coming up.
Les Colombes (The White Doves): Michael Pendry
Middleton Hall, centre:mk
Thursday 18 – Sunday 27 July
A breath-taking display of over 2,000 white origami doves symbolising peace and unity. Schools are invited to contribute paper doves and haiku poems to a city-wide peace message. Dove making workshops: 3–17 July, 11am–3pm
A lively outdoor spectacle blending fashion, choreography, and live music to celebrate fluidity, identity, and self-expression –with local people involved in community versions.
One Sky: Pagrav Dance Company
Campbell Park Bulbfield
Saturday 19 July
A dynamic dance piece inspired by India’s kite festivals. Fuses contemporary and classical Indian dance in a joyful celebration of shared space and heritage.
Mars: Luke Jerram
The Open University (Fri 18–Sun 20 July) + Church of Christ the Cornerstone (Mon 21–Sun 27 July, (no access 24 July)
A spectacular illuminated sculpture of Mars featuring detailed NASA imagery and sound recordings from space missions. Ideal for STEAM-based learning.
You Too Can Tutu by Gandini Juggling & The Album: Skool Edition by SAY
MK Rose, Campbell Park
Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 July
A joyful fusion of juggling, ballet and dance designed especially for children. Colourful, clever, and captivating.
Rubbish Romeo & Juliet: The Rubbish Shakespeare Company
The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park
Saturday 26 July
A hilariously messy retelling of Shakespeare’s classic – ideal for engaging younger students with the Bard in a fun and accessible way.
Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure for Kids
The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park
Sunday 27 July
Award-winning beatboxer Shlomo leads an interactive performance that turns the audience into a human beatbox choir.
Xics del Xurrac: Tombs Creatius (Catalonia)
Festival Central, Campbell Park
Friday 18 – Sunday 20 July
A magical, interactive playground of hand-built wooden machines that children can operate themselves. Perfect for encouraging problem-solving, collaboration, and engineering curiosity.
The Lost Colour & Space Chickens: Half a String
Festival Central, Campbell Park
Saturday 26 July
Two enchanting puppet shows featuring live music and immersive storytelling. Combines visual art, theatre, and environmental themes.
Mrs Armitage on Wheels: Scoot Theatre (Quentin Blake adaptation)
The Stables Spiegeltent, Campbell Park
Thursday 24 July
A delightful stage version of Quentin Blake’s beloved book –packed with fun, invention, and a little bit of chaos! A great literacy tie-in for KS1/KS2.
Terceradix: Architects of Air
Festival Central, Campbell Park
Thursday 24 – Sunday 27 July
Step inside this monumental walk-in sculpture where light, shape and colour create a serene, otherworldly experience. Ideal for art, design and sensory exploration.
