Area of Learning
Exploring Cultural Waves: Celebrating diversity and understanding how cultural shifts shape our world. This festival invites young people to investigate how cultural movements influence identity, society, and artistic expression. Through collaboration and creativity, students will explore how diversity and cultural transformation shape our shared human story.

Festival Story
‍The festival story is the central idea that inspires exploration and creative work throughout an ISTA festival.

Cultural Experience
Set in the unique landscape of northern Tanzania, this festival offers participants the opportunity to connect with the culture, traditions, and stories of the region. Participants will visit the Cultural Arts Centre at Tumaini University Makurma and participate in a workshop that celebrates the unique cultural heritage of music and dance in Northern Tanzania. More details coming soon.

ISTA Global Challenge
This festival is part of ISTA’s season-wide theme: Waves of Change. The challenge invites students to explore how change—across cultures, communities, environments, and histories—shapes the way we live and create. Through collaborative theatre-making, students will reflect on the impact of cultural shifts and their role in shaping a more connected world.

Booking secures your place at an ISTA festival by providing estimated participant numbers and paying a deposit. Registration finalises all participant details to support accurate planning for workshops, catering, and logistics.

Booking

• Opens: 9:00 am (UK time), Monday 5 May 2025
• Before booking, ensure your school can attend by confirming:
  
  • Travel restrictions and visa requirements
  • Parental approval
  • School authorisation
• At the time of booking, you must provide:
  
  • Estimated number of students
  • Estimated number of educators
  • Lead educator contact details

‍Deposit & Confirmation

• Once booked, you’ll receive an invoice for a 50% deposit based on student numbers. The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable. Booking is only confirmed once the deposit is received (within 30 days). 
• Please only book spaces you are confident you can fill. 

Registration

• Opens: 9:00 am (UK time), Monday 5 May 2025
• Closes: 11:59 pm (UK time), Friday 6 February 2026
• Once registration opens, schools with confirmed places should complete participant registration as soon as possible. You’ll need to provide final student and educator details along with confirmed travel information. 

‍Changes in Student Numbers

• Fewer students than booked? Deposits for those students are forfeited.
• Need more students? Additional spaces may be requested. A 50% deposit per added student will apply.

‍Waitlist

• If the event reaches capacity, it will be marked Waitlist. 
• To be added to the waitlist, email the Event Manager with your requested number of students and educators. Spaces will be offered in the order requests are received.

Arrival & Departure 

• Arrival: Afternoon of Thursday 19 March 2026
• Departure: Evening of Sunday 22 March 2026

‍Transport

• Nearest Airport: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
• Participants will be picked up from the airport on arrival and taken to the hotel/school.
• Participants will be taken to the airport immediately following the end of the event on Sunday 22 March.
• Travel time between the school and hotel is approximately 90 minutes depending on traffic. Please book your arrival and departure flights with this in mind.

‍Visas

• It is the responsibility of the schools/participants to ensure they have the appropriate visas, as required.
• Please ensure that you start looking into visa requirements sooner rather than later as the process can take a significant amount of time.
• The host advises that all visas must be obtained in advance of travel via online application
• It is recommended to apply at least 2 weeks in advance of travel.
• If you require assistance or additional documentation to support your visa applications please ensure to contact the event manager well in advance of submitting your application.

‍Accommodation

• This is a hotel stay event.
• Participating schools are responsible for arranging their own accommodation. 

Forest Hill Hotel 

Arusha, Dodoma Rd - Kisongo, Arusha Tanzania

• Daily rate for a single room with breakfast: USD $120
• Daily rate for a twin/double room with breakfast: USD$165
• Daily rate for triple room with breakfast: USD $220
• The hotel is located 10 minutes by bus/van from the host school.

Note: Schools should quote UWC East Africa when booking

ISTA festivals follow a two-step automated payment process:

Step 1: 50% Deposit at Booking

• Upon booking, a 50% deposit is required to secure your place. This deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable.
• Bookings are only confirmed once the deposit has been successfully paid.

Step 2: Final Balance After Registration Closes

• After registration closes, schools will be automatically invoiced for the remaining 50% of fees, based on the final number of students registered, plus any applicable surcharges.

Changes in Student Numbers

• Fewer students than booked: Deposits for non-attending students will be forfeited. (e.g. If 15 students are booked but only 10 attend, the deposit for 5 students is not refunded.)
• Additional students: A 50% deposit per added student will be invoiced at the time of the increase.

Festival Schedule 

• Start: Friday 20 March 2026 8:30 AM
• End: Sunday 22 March 2026 3:45 PM

‍Educator Workshops

• One theatre focused workshop for teacher chaperones
• Collaborative resource-sharing sessions

📄 E-Programmes containing detailed schedules, artist bios, and key event information will be sent to participating organisations two weeks before the event.

🍏 Lunches for all three days, two evening meals and daily snacks are provided by the host as part of this event. Please note this does not include an evening meal the night before the event starts.

Appropriate attire

• All participants must bring clothing that is suitable for physically active workshops during the day (athletic wear, PE kit, performance blacks, etc.) 

‍Please note

• Participants not dressed appropriately for physically active workshops may be asked to sit out.
• Participants may be asked to remove footwear, jewellery etc. for some workshops.
• Chewing gum is not permitted in any of the workshop spaces.

‍Materials 

• Pens, pencils, highlighters etc. for notetaking. 
• Refillable water bottle