We may have entered the second month of 2021, but the continuing Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown makes it seem like an extension of last year. Yet, in the words of Galway city arts officer, James Harrold, "we will be in ‘play’ mode again and the deferred pleasures of 2020 will be back in our calendars".
Despite all the obstacles and setbacks of 2020, the Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture programme is continuing, with some 18 of events to be held between now and March 31.
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“Delivering on our mission as a European Capital of Culture is very important," said Patricia Philbin, CEO of Galway 2020. "We have worked extremely hard with our cultural partners, stakeholders, and funders to make the programme a reality. In ensuring the continuity of our programme, we can continue to support the sustainability of our cultural organisations. We sincerely hope that the good work achieved will benefit Galway for many years to come.”
Macnas, music, and mirrors
One of the key events will be Mirror Pavilion, Leaf Work, by Irish artist John Gerrard. Inspired by the climate crisis, this 7M x 7M x 7M structure has three sides clad in a highly reflective mirror, while the remaining wall is a high resolution LED screen. Iit will be located in the 4,000–year–old Derrigimlagh Bog in Connemara and powered by sustainable energy sources.
Macnas will present a dramatic new interpretation of Gilgamesh, the epic ancient Iraqi story, indeed the world's oldest surviving story, and humanity's earliest work of literature.
Music for Galway and Galway 2020 will present the first edition of Cellissimo, a triennial nine-day Festival that will immerse European music making within the horizon lines and landscapes of Galway.
Launch of Irish Funambulism Centre
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Wires Crossed, an international project that celebrates the art of funambulism – wire walking using a balancing pole - will be performed as part of the Galway 2020 events.
As part of this, the Irish Centre of Funambulism will be launched in Galway, presented by Galway Community Circus, in partnership with Galway 2020 and the European Funambulism Network. “We have worked on Wires Crossed since 2017 involving 92 artists and 20 European partners across 13 countries," said Ulla Hokkanen, executive creative director, Galway Community Circus. "Galway 2020 gave us the opportunity to develop this project long-term, building our organisation and securing significant European funding for Galway and Ireland.”
Theatre and literature
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A new production Ar Ais Arís by Brú Theatre [cast members pictured above], commissioned as part of the Aistriú project, will be presented in association with NUI Galway. There will also be Irish language literature, inspired by the work of Máirtín Ó Cadhain, Pádraic Ó Conaire, and Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, while Blue Teapot Theatre Company will present its production of Into The Dark Woods by Charlene Kelly.
To The Island, a lyrical picture book by leading Galway children’s writer Patricia Forde, published as Gaeilge and in English by Little Island, will be distributed through the Mobile Libraries to schools when they reopen.
Other exciting projects include Rise with Baboró International Arts Festival for Children; a special exhibition by TULCA Festival of Visual Arts; Drop Everything’s Studio Drop; Mighty Ocean with the Contempo Quartet and Martin O’Connor; and the Small Towns, Big Ideas programme.
Ireland’s permanent capital of culture
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“The Galway 2020 programme showcases the high level of work made and created here in Galway by more than 500 artists and producers," said Marilyn Gaughan-Reddan, Head of Programme. "We are really delighted to share the collective imagination of these artists and communities with the world. Unlike any other Capital of Culture, the Galway programme is unique in that 100 per cent of the programme is newly commissioned work, new and original work rooted in this very special place that is Galway.”
“For as long as Galway encourages and supports its artists it will be Ireland’s permanent capital of culture," said James Harrold. "The pandemic ‘paused’ the presentation of so many world class productions by our own creative people but soon we will be in ‘play’ mode again and the deferred pleasures of 2020, the mighty cultural experiences, the distinctive and resonant western stories, will be back in our calendars. As the dust settles we will have a heightened sense of what makes the arts in our city truly unique and valued. I look forward to every moment of this sensational programme - in place, by, for and from Galway.”
All events are subject to change in line with Government guidelines. For more details and updates visit Galway2020.ie
