THE Complete Freedom of Truth international youth arts project is returning to Bridport and will be working with 40 young people from west Dorset, Blackburn, Manchester and London.

They will be joined by artists from dance, theatre, music, visual arts and spoken word/poetry, and together will create a collaborative and inclusive performance at Bridport Arts Centre next Friday February 17 at 7pm.

TCFT has its roots in the youth arts work that local organisation Opera Circus began in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2008.

There have been many exchanges and friendships have developed between young people from this small Bosnian town and those in Bridport and across west Dorset.

This has grown into a large international long-term programme of work now involving more than 16 organisations from the UK, Serbia, Bosnia, Romania, Georgia and Portugal, and growing all the time.

More information can be found on the web site.

The young people and artists are working together during this half term at Bridport Town Hall, Bridport Arts Centre, the WI Hall, Chapel in the Garden and other work spaces, to create the performances.

Tina Ellen Lee from Opera Circus said: "Last year this was a huge success at BAC and showed just how compelling inclusive performances and audiences can be.

"BAC had a very special atmosphere that evening and we hope to be able to repeat this on Friday.

"We welcome the artists who are supporting the young people’s creativity in Bridport this week, including Hugh Nankivell Associate Artist with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Malaika Cunningham and River, freelancers with Cardboard Citizens, Alex Gichohi, award winning singer and song writer, Louise Katerega, dancer and choreographer, Cedoux Kadima, visual artist, among others."

The evening is free for everyone under 16 and tickets are £5 and £8 from BAC box office.

Then in April this year, 120 young people from all the above countries and including around 40 from Bournemouth and Dorset, will travel to Sarteano in Southern Tuscany.

Tina added: "Dance, music, Parkour (freerunning), spoken word, clowning, street theatre, peace studies, discussions around issues of democracy, gender, inclusion and equality will fill the small streets, hosted by the generous people of this stunning region.

"The young people of Dorset are crowdfunding in order to help raise the money to cover some of the basic costs for others of food and accommodation, access and travel see crowdfunder.co.uk/the-complete-freedom-of-truth"