The Galway 2020 programme will be covered through Irish following a new partnership with TG4.
Language, which plays a central role in the programme, is one of the three major themes of the programme along with landscape and migration.
The Galway 2020 programme will include projects that celebrate, encourage and shine a spotlight on the beauty and uniqueness of the Irish language. It will also pay homage to all other languages that are spoken in Galway, with a growing number of the population speaking neither English nor Irish on a daily basis.
Speaking at the signing of the agreement, chief executive of Galway 2020, Hannah Kiely said the Irish language was an integral aspect of culture in the west coast of Ireland.
"Tremendous efforts have been made to keep the language alive, and thanks to those who continue to carry on the Irish language tradition, we are now the first official Irish bilingual city. We’re delighted to be partnering with TG4, the organisation that has done incredible things for the language in Ireland. The support of TG4 will give us a unique opportunity to bring the 2020 programme to life through Irish for us all to enjoy.”
TG4’s director general, Alan Esslemont, said TG4’s ‘Súil Eile’ (a different view ) approach aimed to provide the Irish community and the world with a broader view of life.
"We have always had pride in our heritage, but we are open and welcoming to new inspiration as well. This is a creative and smart partnership between TG4 and Galway 2020 through which we can work together to shine the cultural light of the West of Ireland on the European stage and even further afield."
“Baineann cur chuige ‘Súil Eile’ TG4 le dearcadh níos leithne ar an saol a thabhairt do phobal na hÉireann agus go deimhin go hidirnáisiúnta. Bíonn muid i gcónaí mórtasach as ár ndúchas agus as ár n-oidhreacht, ach ag an am céanna, fáiltímid i gcónaí roimh smaointe nua. Is comhpháirtíocht chruthaitheach, chliste é seo idir TG4 agus Gaillimh 2020, inar féidir linn comhoibriú le chéile chun solas cultúrtha Iarthar na hÉireann a chur ag scalladh ar fud na hEorpa agus níos faide i gcéin.”
