ORGANISERS of an Oxford theatre festival for youngsters from across the globe have hailed the 10-day event a huge success.

And they want to stage it again next summer to coincide with the Olympics.

The Mesh Oxford International Arts Festival ended with a parade through the city centre and a performance on Friday night.

Teenagers from countries including Russia, Croatia and Germany acted out routines in Oxford Castle, Bonn Square, and Cornmarket before the show at Oxford Town Hall, St Aldate’s.

The festival, which also involved children from Gaza, was hosted by Pegasus Theatre in Magdalen Road, East Oxford.

About 120 young theatre stars spent 10 days producing their version of satirical play The Government Inspector before the finale.

Yasmin Abuamro, 15, from Gaza, said: “It is the first time I have left Gaza so it was fantastic.

“It means a lot to me. It gives me hope because I always dreamed of travelling, to leave Gaza and go somewhere.”

Pegasus Theatre’s Gill Jaggers said: “It was the culmination of more than a year of planning and preparation by staff and particularly the young people.

“ It has been amazing to see all the different kinds of disciplines, cultures and perspectives from different young people.”

The theatre wants to stage the festival every two years but will host it in the city next year to celebrate the Olympic Games coming to the country.

Igor Lopes, 15, from Germany, said: “The week was really fun because it was the first time I have left Germany and I find Oxford is a very good city.”

Josipa Simanovic, 17, from Croatia, said: “It was interesting working with people who are the same age as me and meeting people from other cultures.”

Youth arts leader Cathryn Baker added: “It’s an incredibly enriching experience for them as people and performers.”