Be inspired by the children and young people of the North East singing, playing and signing the timeless classic, ‘What A Wonderful World’, as part of Express Yourself: North East Festival of Languages 2025. 7,465 children and young people from 61 schools took part in the project between January and March 2025.
The compilation video features performances from 37 schools, with pupils singing in different languages, performing in British Sign Language, as well as playing instruments.
Click here or on the image to watch the video
Children performed as individuals and both small and large groups. Together, they deliver a joyous and moving performance.
International Newcastle hosts and coordinates the Festival every year. CEO, Declan Baharini, also supported the Festival Song project and worked with partners and contributors from diverse language communities locally, nationally and internationally to translate and prepare recordings of What A Wonderful World in 25 different languages. A British Sign Language (BSL) version was arranged and instrumental resources produced by Gareth Miller from Music Partnership North Newcastle. Gareth also compiled all the resources to share with schools and produced the video from performances submitted by schools.
Georgina Biddle, Senior Specialist, Music Partnership North (MPN) Newcastle, oversees the ever-popular Festival Song project.
“The festival song fosters inclusiveness and allows children and young people from diverse communities across the North East to connect with the lyrics and emotions more deeply. The different translations broaden the song’s reach for our multicultural region, inviting participants from various cultural backgrounds to feel a shared connection to the music. It showcases the festival’s cultural respect and celebration, enhancing the global appeal.“
Declan Baharini, Chief Executive Officer of International Newcastle and Festival Coordinator
“Pupils from schools across the North East have delivered beautiful renditions of the Festival Song. It is so moving to see so many children singing, signing and playing the song.
The Festival is all about children and young people being able to express themselves in the languages they speak at home, learn at school or are interested in, bringing people together and foster inclusivity and harmony. This song is a wonderful example of this. We are so grateful to everyone who took part and to all those who helped in preparing all the resources for the song this year. “
Acknowledgements
- Thank you to all 61 schools, the teachers and pupils who took part in the Festival Song project this year
- Thanks also to the 37 schools listed here, who submitted their pupils’ performances to be part of our regional compilation video for 2025.
- A huge thank you to Gareth Miller and Georgina Biddle at Music Partnership North Newcastle, for leading this project and supporting the schools’ engagement. The Festival Song would not be possible without them.
- Thank you to all the community members, staff and students at universities and people from partner organisations across the region, nationally and internationally for helping to check the translations of the song in 25 different languages and for providing recordings of these to help schools learn the song in many languages.
The Festival was part-funded by the North East Combined Authority
Further information and links
For further information on the 2025 Express Yourself: Festival Of North East Languages visit expressyourselfne.com and follow the Festival via Instagram, Facebook and X.
We hope to be able to run the Festival again in 2026, so do follow on social media or check the Festival’s news page in the Autumn for any announcements.