The Milk International Children's Festival returns for its 17th year from May 24- 31, at Toronto's Harbourfront Centre.

This year it features performances from Africa, China, Germany, Israel and the United Kingdom, as well as Canada. The annual festival presents some of the world's most inventive theatre for young audiences, as well as dance, music and puppetry. It also hosts the Brave New World speakers series that provides young people with the opportunity to meet contemporary heroes face-to-face. This year's guests are Bill Lishman, known as Father Goose for his work teaching geese how to migrate; Britain's Andrew Halsey, who was the first epileptic to row the Atlantic alone; the enduring symbol of the Vietnam War, Kim Phuc; and astronaut Juliette Payette (speaking in French on Francophone Day).

The program: Light and shadow puppet show A Touch of Light (Israel); the Adzido Pan African Dance Ensemble with Vibrations (Britain/Africa); physical comedy genius Gale LaJoye with Snowflake (United States); a non-language play called Cabane (Belgium); The Red Balloon, a play with language from Scotland; the Chongqing Acrobatic Troupe of China; America's balladeer Tom Chapin; musical and rhythmic games from Germany's Michael Bradke; Quebec's Theatre Bouches Decousues with their play Bath Time; and Canadian acrobat/clown/conjuror Tomas Kubinek.

In addition there will be arts and crafts workshops, a Science Corner, an all-female stilt company, a Canadian youth jazz orchestra, East Indian drumming, and a variety of special appearances from favourite on-air personalities.

The Festival has events suitable from age 3 to adulthood. The Milk International Children's Festival of the Arts is at Harbourfront Centre from May 24 to 31. For tickets, brochure and information call: 416-973-4000.

--By Mira Friedlander
Canadian Correspondent