The Interactive Museum of Languages for Young Audiences (IMLYA) is an interactive exhibition for children. It encourages children’s self-expression and creativity, drawing on ancient and living languages to reflect on the diversity of languages in our environment.

The interactive artworks are inspired by linguistic artifacts, signs, pictographs and alphabets and each is accompanied by a range of activities for children between the ages of 5 and 12. These are designed to spark children’s interest in other languages and cultures, and to encourage children to talk about their own languages.

IMLYA was initiated and developed in 2021 by Mother Tongues, a social enterprise working to promote multilingualism and intercultural dialogue in Ireland, under the creative direction of West Cork-based visual artist Tomasz Madajczak.

To find out more go to Museum of Languages for Young Audiences – Mother Tongues

Uillinn invites artists, teachers, educators and parents to the opening event for the Interactive Museum of Languages at Uillinn: West Cork Arts Centre.

Uillinn Programme Manager Justine Foster, will host a conversation with artist and IMYLA creator Tomasz Madajczak around such topics as: the challenges involved in developing accessible and interactive artworks for the Museum; celebrating linguistic and cultural diversity on a multilingual island; and the benefits for children in developing an understanding of other languages, cultures and diversity.

Easter Storytelling Sculpture Camp

Uillinn invites children aged 9 to 12 years who speak more than one language at home, to take part in a Storytelling Sculpture Easter Camp with artists Tomasz Madajczak and Mark Ball. The Camp takes place over four days and explores visual art, storytelling and multilingual stories.

The workshops take place from Tuesday 19 April to Saturday 23 April from 11am to 3.30pm each day and conclude with a sharing of the work and experience of the process with family and local community on Saturday 23 April at 3.30pm.

The workshops are free and places are limited. Booking on Eventbrite, a booking fee of €6.19 will be applied.
The Storytelling Sculpture Project is supported by an Arts Council Agility Award.

Teacher’s Event with Tomasz Madajczak, Dr Francesca La Morgia and Kate McElroy.
Wednesday 6 April at 5.00pm
Free, booking on Eventbrite

This discussion is designed for teachers and is linked to the primary language curriculum, showing teachers practical ways in which to use children’s languages and creativity to improve their intercultural practices.

Slow Art Tour
Saturday 9 April at 12 noon
Fee €2, booking on Eventbrite

Public Engagement Artist Kate McElroy invites you to take a slow approach to viewing and experiencing artwork on exhibit at Uillinn in a meditative way, paying specific attention to the embodied experience and the senses.

IMLYA was commissioned by South Dublin County Council Arts Office as part of Cruinniú na nÓg 2021, and was co-funded by Languages Connect. The exhibition at Uillinn is supported by the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon