The People’s Republic of Creativity will take place during Voluntary Arts Week, turning the Verbal Arts Centre and surrounding outdoor space into a hub of creativity, with the unique cardboard conurbation masterminded by artists from the Made in Cardboardia collective.

This project to build a sprawling cardboard metropolis - which will be there for visitors to peruse over the two day festival - hinges on volunteers getting down to inventive construction supervised by international artists working alongside Voluntary Arts Ireland, the Verbal Arts Centre and others.

Building the disposable utopia is the most unusual event taking place during a series of activities designed to creatively engage the community over two days.

There will also be a drop-in cardboard mask and costume making workshop for children, film screenings, a street art workshop, a Bake-Off on the Walls and performances by In Your Space Youth Circus and Second Line NI, a New Orleans-style marching band.

Kevin Murphy, chief officer of Voluntary Arts Ireland, said: “We’re thrilled to be welcoming world renowned artists from the Made In Cardboardia team to Derry-Londonderry for what promises to be a spectacular event that all the family can enjoy.

“From the building of a cardboard embassy, to performances from local groups, this is a true celebration of creativity, a chance for the people of Derry-Londonderry to support the arts and show their own creative flair.”

The Verbal Arts Centre will also host a special cardboard themed drop-in Reading Room on May 23, plus the weekly Little Legends’ Reading Room at Foyleside from 11am will be followed by a cardboard mask-making workshop for children and accompanying adults.

Andrea Doran, director of programming and learning at the Verbal Arts Centre, said: “We are extending a huge Verbal Arts Centre welcome for everyone to join us for what promises to be a truly unique weekend of creativity for the city.”